Annual Mass Highway Association
13th Annual 2023 Larry Bombara Memorial
Charity Golf Tournament
Save the Date!
The 2023 MHA Larry Bombara Memorial Charity Golf Tournament will be held at Brookmeadow Country Club, Canton, MA on Tuesday, August 15 2023.
Registration is now open for the Charity Golf Tournament, Register here.
2023 Charity Golf Tournament Recipient Jerry Coppola
After some 17 years in the private sector Jerry was approached by members of the Board of Selectmen in Richmond, Ma. for the position of Highway Superintendent. He told them he would be interested but only if they advertise it. So Jerry was hired in November of 1986. Even though he knew a bit about road maintenance, both hardtop and gravel roads and he was in a completely different environment. Learning about maintenance, budgets, procurement of supplies and equipment was all part of it.
He had heard about the Berkshire County Highway Association, but really didn’t understand what they were all about until the then Vice President Warren Anson of Egremont brought me on as a member of the Board of Director. Jerry was elected as President in 1988-1989 and then again in 1990-1991. Later taken under the wing of Secretary Peter Leidt to take over the secretaries’ position. He became more interested in working on and publishing our association handbook, and coordinating our equipment shows, golf tournaments, and scheduling all of our meeting / workshops.
The one person who got him involved with the MHA was Bill Elovirta , at first as a member and later on Director of Berkshire County and after a few years was elected as the MHA President representing Western Ma. After his term as president he stayed on as part of many committees.
When the Berkshire County director Scott Park moved up the ladder and was elected president, there was no one interested in taking on that position. I stepped in and worked my way back to be elected as the MHA President again for the second time. Jerry retired from Richmond on January 5, 2018, still being involved in both organizations. It has taught Jerry over the years the valuable information out there and camaraderie of the members of both organizations. Jerry and a few other retirees consider ourselves as old school superintendents and pretty proud of that.
Jerry is honored to be part of the MHA Charity Golf Tournament this year and naming the Dana/Farber Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center as a recipient.
Thank you Jerry Coppola, for your years of service and contributions to the Mass Highway Association and continued volunteerism and support of Public Works in our communities!