At a ceremony at the Boys and Girls Club in Fall River, community leaders and family members presented longtime staffer John Sullio with the Fall River Icon Award, recognizing his decades of work mentoring children.

The citation was read and the award — an engraved bat provided by Louis LeDoux and Axis Bat Company — was presented during remarks that traced Sullio’s start at the club in the 1960s. An emcee recounted that Sullio was born in 1959, was present at the club’s dedication in 1967, began working there as a teenager and was later hired full time by director Al Correa.

“Every child that you run into, wherever you go, hi, John,” said State Representative Carol Faiola, who described herself as both Sullio’s representative and friend and presented a citation thanking him for his service to the community. “Congratulations on being an icon in the city of Fall River.”

Senator Mike Rogers, who said he has known Sullio for decades, praised Sullio’s consistent presence at the club and his influence on multiple generations of young people. A separate speaker credited Sullio with persuading neighborhood boys to join the Boys and Girls Club and learn organized sports, creating long-term benefits for participants.

Sullio accepted the recognition with visible emotion, thanking staff, family and the children he has served. “I had no idea that this was going to happen,” he said. “I would like to thank each and every one of the people here today…and I love the kids as well as the staff.” He told an interviewer that while the work does not make one wealthy, “what I do not get in financial money, I make up tenfold in my heart.”

Family members who attended also addressed the crowd. A relative described the award as recognition of Sullio’s lifelong commitment to Fall River youth and thanked community members and friends who supported him.

The program included a short question-and-answer exchange led by Julio, in which Sullio described reconnecting with former club members who are now adults and sometimes grandparents. The ceremony concluded with additional thanks and congratulations from attendees.

The presentation did not include any formal votes or policy actions; it was a community recognition event honoring Sullio’s service.