Greenfield resident honored by Boy Scouts of America

GREENFIELD — Resident John Passiglia, a name associated with various community organizations and commissions, has received the Western Massachusetts Council of the Boy Scouts of America’s Metacomet District Award of Merit.

According to the national organization, the award recognizes an individual who “renders service of an outstanding nature at the district level.”

“John is the type of guy who never says no unless he really has to,” said Will Campbell, who introduced Passiglia at the awards dinner earlier this month. “He … has volunteered for many campouts, many camporees and Klondike derbies, trips to Cape Cod and camping trips.”

Campbell, who has known Passiglia throughout his own 15 years of scouting, noted that in addition to working as a blacksmith and serving as assistant scoutmaster for Greenfield’s Troop 5, he’s a board member of the Franklin County Agricultural Society and the Greenfield Historical Commission. He’s also a teacher at Franklin County Technical School and previously taught a class at the Franklin County House Jail and House of Correction.

“He truly deserved a thank you,” Campbell said.

Passiglia said scouting has been a big part of his life since he was 9 years old.

“When my son got involved in Scouts … I kind of stepped right up to be part of it and help out,” Passiglia said. “I found that I reconnected with all the scouting stuff that was important to me growing up.”

Passiglia said it meant a lot to receive recognition from the Boy Scouts’ Western Massachusetts Council.

“To get the recognition from the other Scout leaders really means a lot because there are some great people,” he said. “Everybody who does that knows how much work it is to be involved in Scouts.”

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.