| | Published May 1st, 2019
| Accolades for Citizen of the Year - Fred Weil
| | | By Vera Kochan |  | | Fred Weil and wife Joan with grandchildren from left Daniel Brown, Abigail Cunningham and Jessica Brown Photo Vera Kochan |
Citizen of the Year honors were presented to the 2019 recipient Fred Weil, at the Soda Center on the Saint Mary's College campus April 27.
Weil, a taxation and corporate attorney for more than 45 years, has served Moraga in one capacity or another for nearly as long.
Weil's service to Moraga came in varying forms and capacities. He was two-time president of the Moraga-Orinda Fire Protection District; four-time president of the Acalanes Union High School District Board; director of the Soda Aquatic Center; director of the Acalanes District Education Fund; member of the Campolindo High School Parents' Committee on Accreditation; two-time president of the Moraga Elementary School District Board; chairman of LMYA Girls' Softball League; organizer of the Campolindo Choral Music Fund; founding director of the Moraga Educational Foundation; member of the Town of Moraga School Bus Committee; member of the Town of Moraga Park District Study Committee; four-time president of the Campolindo Homeowners Association and; offered pro bono work to help the Moraga Citizens Network and the Moraga Community Foundation obtain tax exemption status.
Born and raised in Chicago, Weil and his wife, Joan, moved to Moraga in 1972, where they raised their three children Julie, Lisa and Mike. When asked why they chose Moraga Weil replied, "Primarily excellent schools and Moraga's reputation for safety even before it was incorporated. We liked the views of the hills and especially Mount Diablo. We also had good friends who had moved to Moraga a couple of years earlier."
Weil's involvement in community activities and organizations often came at the urging of friends. "This was especially true for the homeowners' association, both school districts and the fire district. In the case of the Town's Park Study Committee, I was recruited by the then mayor." Weil added, "At other times, I just saw a need and volunteered to help."
Serving on varying committees was intellectually stimulating to Weil and a bonus when his efforts provided positive results for the community. "We all have the capacity to do many different things and I just happen to have been truly fortunate to be able to enjoy such variety."
Besides taking pride in his accomplishments for Moraga, Weil and his wife are most proud of their family: daughter Julie Weil Brown and husband David Brown; Lisa Weil Cunningham and her husband David Cunningham; Michael Weil and his wife Dannielle; and his many grandchildren Daniel and Jessica Brown; Abigail Cunningham; Adena and Shoshana Weil.
Receiving the Citizen of the Year honor came as a "complete surprise" to Weil. "It's been incredible and a humbling experience. When asked how she felt about her grandfather receiving an award, 7-year-old Abigail, a student at Los Perales Elementary replied, "Good."
Master of Ceremonies for the evening were last year's recipients Sam and Susan Sperry, who kept the proceedings moving with clockwork precision.
After a delicious dinner, the presentations and honors came pouring in. Saint Mary's College former president Brother Mel Anderson, FSC, stated, "I have known and worked with Fred for many years. He is the personification of trust and confidence, as well as, a trusted friend. Saint Mary's College, with profound warmth, honors Fred as Citizen of the Year."
Moraga's Kiwanis Club President Ian Cook replied, "We can't thank you enough for all the years of service." Moraga Vice-Mayor Kymberleigh Korpus presented the mayor's proclamation and thanked him for his "tireless and selfless work that has made Moraga a better place in which to live and has made us all proud to be Moraga residents."
Cathy Cutler and George Escutiar, representing Assembly Member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan and State Sen. Steve Glazer respectively, likened Weil to "the female lead from `Oklahoma' - I'm just a girl who can't say no!"
Speeches from friends followed with Dick Olsen commenting, "He is so incredibly and uniquely deserving of this award. Things were not always easy during the times he served on various boards. Doing the right thing during tough times is a mark of good public service. He was always extremely courteous and treated everyone with respect. He makes us proud to be Moragans." Another longtime friend, Stan Holcenberg, acknowledged, "Fred's greatest accomplishment are his three children. His values and integrity are what makes him special."
Weil's wife said, "I'm very pleased and proud of him. It's great to celebrate good things!" Weil's children and grandchildren prepared a humorously scripted slideshow spanning over 50 years of his life ending with, "We know we always have your support." Amidst tearful hugs and kisses, Weil approached the podium to say a few words to end the evening.
"I didn't get here on my own. My successes were group successes." Stating that his experiences were priceless, Weil ended with, "Each of us, through volunteering work, can make a difference. Good night and be safe."
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA