Essex Media Group will present its 9th class of the 2025 Persons of the Year Awards on Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Lynn Museum, located at 590 Washington St. The ceremony will begin at 6 p.m., with guests asked to arrive by 5:45 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.
The honorees — representing Lynn, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Nahant, Peabody, Saugus, and Swampscott — are being recognized for their meaningful contributions and dedication to their communities. Family members, friends, and guests are welcome to attend.
The 2025 Persons of the Year honorees are: Charlie Gaeta, of Lynn; Axel Pineda, of Lynnfield; Dave Aldrich, of Marblehead; Julie Tarmy, of Nahant; Cely Rosario, of Peabody; Lisa Mattuchio, of Saugus; and Anne Quagrello, of Swampscott.
In Lynn, Charlie Gaeta is being honored for his 50 years of dedication to the City. He was first elected Ward 5 councilor in 1975 at age 23; council president in 1978. In 1984, Gaeta became executive director of the Lynn Housing Authority, taking over an agency in need of structure and long-term vision. One of his first moves was a comprehensive reorganization, setting the stage for decades of coordinated housing strategy. Today, the Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development (LHAND) provides housing or housing assistance to more than 4,000 residents, many of them seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children.
Under his leadership, housing in Lynn became not only about units, but also neighborhoods. When LHAND assumed responsibility for all city housing programs in 1998, it marked a turning point. The move allowed for a unified approach to development, preservation, and neighborhood investment. Through Neighborhood Development Associates (NDA), the city’s affordable housing arm, more than 200 homeownership opportunities have been created, along with support for the construction of low-income and affordable rental units.
In Lynnfield, Axel Pineda is being recognized for stepping up when a call came in over the radio letting him know that someone was having a medical emergency at MarketStreet. Pineda, a security guard at MarketStreet, reacted immediately, showing up about a minute after the call to perform life-saving CPR. Pineda performed CPR for more than 2 minutes until the Lynnfield Fire and Police Departments arrived and took over.
In Marblehead, Dave Aldrich is being honored for its continued commitment to community service through Grab the Bagel. Aldrich has transformed a simple baked good into a powerful vehicle for community impact. Through Grab the Bagel, Aldrich has created a nonprofit-driven social enterprise that blends food, generosity, and purpose, extending the mission he began decades earlier with Grab the Torch, his leadership and philanthropy program for young people.
In Nahant, Julie Tarmy is being celebrated for her dedicated years of service as the executive director of the Nahant Historical Society. Tarmy said she’s excited by uncovering the stories behind talented artists and individuals who either called Nahant home or came to the island for inspiration. She noted the most rewarding part of her work is seeing people’s eyes light up when they learn cool facts about Nahant’s past for the first time. In September, the NHS celebrated its 50th anniversary. Tarmy called it a historic milestone for the organization.
In Peabody, Cely Rosario channeled her grief into action, and her sole purpose is to keep her brother’s name alive. Her little brother, Jason Bernard, died by suicide in May due to bullying. He was only 14. Rosario said Jason left a very clear message in his letter: “Keep my name alive, and more needs to be done on mental health and bullying.” She has since made it her mission to ensure the City of Peabody addresses mental health and bullying. Just this year, under the umbrella of Peabody PROMISE, a community-led initiative to strengthen local support and resources for mental wellness, bullying prevention, and suicide prevention — as well as the Jason’s Legacy Foundation, she has instigated plenty of positive change.
Rosario has also taken her message statewide, urging for legislation to: create clear definitions and accountability measures for bullying and cyberbullying, mandate anti-bullying education in schools, require intervention training for teachers and staff, and provide resources for mental health support for both victims and aggressors.
In Saugus, Lisa Mattuchio found her calling when she met her dog Eddie in 2018 after three other homes returned him. His mobility issues would lead to him being given a set of wheels, leading Mattuchio down the path she is on. Now, she runs local nonprofit Eddie’s Ranch, where she helps other dogs like Eddie find their forever homes. She herself has adopted other senior dogs and dogs with disabilities.
In Swampscott, Anne Quagrello is being recognized for a career rooted in service and community wellness. When Quagrello took on the role of executive director of Seaglass Village in August, one of her first goals was to help grow the organization however she could. Seaglass Village is a nonprofit organization aimed at helping older people live independently throughout Swampscott, Nahant, and Marblehead, with plans to expand into Salem.
The ceremony will last approximately one hour. The event is free and open to the public.
