Rotary Dorrico Scholarship

The Joseph F. Dorrico Rotary Scholarship Award

In 2009, in honor of his 90th birthday, family members established The Joseph F. Dorrico Rotary Award Fund at the New Canaan Community Foundation.

Joseph Dorrico graduated from Stamford High School in 1936 and served in the United States Army, Battery A, 211th Anti Aircraft Artillery (AW) Battalion, for five years during World War II. He worked his way in the United States Postal Service from mail clerk in Glenville to Postmaster in New Canaan, retiring in 1977. During his career with The United States Postal Service, Mr. Dorrico attended many management education programs at the Postal Service Training and Development Institute in Washington, DC, and in New York City.

Mr. Dorrico was also a proud Rotarian, serving as president of the Byram Rotary Club (1966-67) as well as the New Canaan Rotary Club (1972-73). The Dorricos lived on Old Stamford Road in New Canaan for close to 10 years.

This award honors Joseph and his loyal service to the community, both professionally and as a volunteer. The fund, in cooperation with the Rotary Club of New Canaan, makes an annual award to support the educational needs of a New Canaan resident who has demonstrated a similar loyalty to the community through his/her volunteer service and who also has demonstrated need for financial assistance in pursuing his/her education.  Eligibility for this scholarship award is not limited to a graduating high school senior.

Anyone who is interested in being considered for this award must file the Sapienza Scholarship Forms by April 15th and include a brief statement in the community service section of the application. The forms are available on the New Canaan Community Foundation website.

Anyone wishing to honor Joe’s lifelong commitment to community service through Rotary International may donate to this fund. Please make checks payable to the New Canaan Community Foundation, write Dorrico/Rotary on the memo line, and mail to the New Canaan Community Foundation, 111 Cherry Street, New Canaan, CT  06840. Donations can also be made online on this web site. Please remember to indicate that your contribution is for The Joseph F. Dorrico Rotary Award.

2010 Rotary Dorrico Scholarship Award Winner Faith Grabarz

2015 Rotary Dorrico Scholarship Award Winner Ethan Geller

2016 Rotary Dorrico Scholarship Award Winner Joe Peiser

2018 Rotary Dorrico Scholarship Award Winner Nathaniel Glay

2019 Rotary Dorrico Scholarship Award Winner Colin Daniels, a proud volunteer member of New Canaan Volunteer Fire Company No. 1