CRPA Hall of Fame
The CRPA Hall of Fame provides recognition for professionals and special individuals who have made outstanding, unique, lasting, and extraordinary contributions through recreation and park services in Connecticut.
Victor Joseph Jarm
Professional Experience
- 40-year career in the parks and recreation field
- City Forester, Parks Superintendent, and Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Hartford
- Established the Bushnell Park Foundation and Friends of Elizabeth Park
- Visiting lecturer, University of Massachusetts
- Started major national concerts in Hartford’s Dillon Stadium and Pope Park
Affiliations & Offices Held
- President, NEPA
- President, Connecticut Tree Protective Association
- Author of several articles for the New England Park newsletter
- Taskforce member, 1978 Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act
Education, Awards, & Certifications
- Graduate of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- Lieutennant, U.S. Army Airforce, Bombardier, B-26 Liberators (WWII)
- Flew 37 missions in the European Theater
- Prisoner of War in Hungary, Germany, and Austria, after being shot down over Vienna, Austria
- Cecil D. Andrus Achievement Award Recipient, 1980 (U.S. Department of Interior)
- New England Park Association John Howard Award Recipient, 1983
- 2008 Forest Heights Park playground named “Victor Jarm Playground” in his honor (Hartford, CT)
- Honorary Lifetime Director of the Elizabeth Park Conservancy
Ernest O. St. Jacques
Professional Experience
- West Hartford Parks & Recreation (29 years)
- Positions included: Superintendent, Acting Director and Director of Parks & Recreation, Director of Human Services
- Instrumental in developing Rockledge Golf Course, Cornerstone Indoor Pool, Elmwood Community Center, Veterans Memorial Skating Rink
Affiliations & Offices Held
- President, Connecticut Public Parks Association
- President, Connecticut Recreation Society, which later became CRPA
Education, Awards, & Certifications
- Graduate of Indiana University, Recreation Administration
- U.S. Army ROTC
- U.S. Army Reserve
- Captain, Connecticut Army National Guard (13 years)
- Elmwood Community Center Auditorium and Banquet Center named in his honor (West Hartford, CT)
Clement M. Lemire
Professional Experience
- First Recreation Director, Town of Franklin
- First Recreation Director, Town of Newington (10 years)
- Built Churchill Park
- Started Newington’s first two aquatic facilities: Churchill Pool and Mill Pond Pool
- First Superintendent, Manchester, NH Parks & Recreation Department (29 years)
Affiliations & Offices Held
- President, CRPA, 1962
- Member, NRPA, NHRPA
- Member, American Legion Sweeney Post
- Member, Knights of Columbus
- Member, League of 1,000 Men of the Precious Blood
Education, Awards, & Certifications
- US Marine Corps Drill Sergeant, Pacific Theater (WWII)
- CRPA Citation Award winner, 1969
- NRPA New England District Council Outstanding New England Recreation Director, 1972
- 1991 Churchill Park expansion named “Clem Lemire Park” in his honor (Newington ,CT)
- NRPA Meritorious Special Service Award, 1995
- Honorary Lifetime Member of CRPA
William J. Pitkin
Professional Experience
- Supervisor for Playgrounds and Community Centers of the South End, Hartford, CT (10 years)
- First full-time Director, Wethersfield Parks & Recreation
- Oversaw vast expansion of Wethersfield Parks & Recreation Department
Affiliations & Offices Held
- Acting Town Manager, Town of Wethersfield (3 instances)
- President, CRPA, 1966
Education, Awards, & Certifications
- U.S. Navy, 1944-45
- Military Honors: American Theater Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal, Victory Medal, Letter of Commendation
- Graduated Trinity College, 1950
- American Basketball League player, Hartford Hurricanes
- George Shelton McCook Trophy, Trinity College
- Trinity College Hall of Fame Inductee
- Honorary Lifetime Member of CRPA
- Kiwanis Man of the Year, 1981-82
- 1989 Wethersfield Community Center renamed “William J. Pitkin Community Center” in his honor