Tony Andreotti Awarded The Blue Hills Civic Association's 29th Annual 'Dr. Richard J. Elkort Citizen of the Year'

Editor's note: The following is from a press release:

Tony Andreotti has been Canton’s Department of Veterans Services Agent for over 10 years.

Born to a Canton cobbler in 1933, Tony attended St. John’s School, and then Canton High, where he was a class officer and co-captain of the football team. 

During the summer he worked for the cemetery department – the first of many Canton jobs.  Two years after high school, Tony was drafted and proudly served during the Korean War era.  After his service he attended Burdett College, where he received an Associate’s Degree in Accounting, which he used throughout his career, first at the Bank of Norfolk, and later in a valve-manufacturing business where he worked his way up to vice-president position and part-owner.

In 1981 Tony began serving his first and only term as a selectman.  During his term, Prop 2-1/2 had just been passed, and the Board had to cut one million dollars from the town budget.  Although most of the cut services were able to be restored due to a subsequent property reevaluation, Tony and the other Board members demonstrated resolute leadership when faced with this fiscal crisis. 

Tony subsequently server as town treasurer, and successfully found a replacement when he stepped down from this position.  Tony’s service to the broader community has included being the chairman of the Board of Rector’s of the Neponset Valley Hospitals, during which time he oversaw a merger with Caritas Healthcare.  He has been a member in good standing with the Town Club and American Legion.

Yet Tony is most known for his years of service as our Veterans’ Agent, where he has ensured that Canton veterans are both honored and receive access to the benefits they deserve including housing, medical services, educational opportunities and vocational assistance. 

Tony was instrumental in 2005 in bringing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall to Canton.  This traveling tribute had an estimated 20,000 visitors in Canton.  

Tony also researched, planned, and held a reunion of all veterans born in Canton – another example of his creative leadership and going above and beyond the standard duties of a veterans’ agent.

The Blue Hills Civic Association is proud to honor Tony Andreotti, one of the many citizens that make Canton the vibrant community in which we all live.  Join the celebration in his honor on Monday, May 14, at the Canton Town Club.

Tickets are $28.00 for the award dinner, with silent auction benefit the BHCA’s scholarship fund, and are available by calling Sue at 781-821-0484 or Peg at 781-828-1342.