ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
With citation in hand, Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy hugs Joe Abelon upon arriving at his appreciation lunch at the Old Tyme Italian Cuisine restaurant today.
By THOR JOURGENSEN
LYNN — Joe Abelon thought he was attending a casual meeting with city officials Thursday at Old Tyme Italian Cuisine. That was, until a USA Track & Field New England representative and Lynn Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy arrived at the West Lynn restaurant.
Both officials handed the 76-year-old, long-time Lynn resident citations honoring his commitment and years of volunteer service to young runners.
In recognizing Abelon as New England’s “association-level volunteer of the year,” USATF New England Association Managing Director Steven Vaitones described Abelon as one of a rare breed of volunteers who “come up with ideas and carry them through.”
Vaitones credited Abelon with conceiving a plan for middle school cross country competitions six years ago. He said initial entries totaled 600 children and teenagers, with 2,300 signed up statewide for the most recent meet.
“He took the idea and saw it through to completion,” Vaitones said.
Kennedy said Abelon has convinced hundreds of Lynn youth to turn fitness into a daily habit as essential as “brushing your teeth.”
“He gets kids interested in health and fitness at such an early age,” Kennedy said.
A Maine native who has lived most of his life in Lynn, Abelon started running at Classical High School (class of 1957) and expanded his love for track and field during a 30-plus year career teaching in Lynn schools. Kennedy took a mathematics class taught by Abelon while attending the former Breed Junior High School.
“He was funny – it’s hard to put funny and math in one sentence, but he did,” she said.
Vaitones and city Associate Public Works Commissioner Lisa Nerich said Abelon helped bring the Hershey track and field games and the Monday evening youth track and field series to Manning Field.
Sue and Jack Carroll’s three sons got involved in track with Abelon’s encouragement.
“They got the bug early on, thanks to Joe,” Sue Carroll said.
Abelon said Thursday’s recognition, which included a City Council citation presented by Ward 5 Councilor Dianna Chakoutis, surprised him, adding “it makes me feel good.”
He credited long-time local running volunteer William Mullen, a Peabody resident, with helping make track and field in Lynn and enduring success.
“It’s rewarding and I get a rush out of it,” Abelon said.
Thor Jourgensen can be reached at [email protected].
