By JOE LoTEMPLIO
PLATTSBURGH — Clinton County Clerk John Zurlo, one of the North Country's most popular figures, was named the 52nd Irishman of the Year Wednesday.
Zurlo, 71, was given the honor by longtime Master of Ceremonies Kevin J. Killeen before 500 would-be Irish souls at the annual Plattsburgh-North Country St. Patrick's Day breakfast.
"I really had no inkling," a stunned Zurlo told the crowd gathered at Plattsburgh State's Angell College Center.
"I will do my best to make you proud the rest of my career."
INSPIRED BY TEACHER
A lifelong resident of Champlain in the Northern Tier, Zurlo spent 35 years teaching business education at Northeastern Clinton Central School after graduating from his beloved St. Michael's College in Winooski, Vt.
It was his high-school business teacher, Ed Dodds, who taught Zurlo how to give back.
"He was such a good teacher, and he was always helping people, and I wanted to be just like him. He was my inspiration."
Zurlo's father was also very involved in the community, which rubbed off on him.
"When you live in a small community, you get to know everyone, and you have to get involved," Zurlo said.
During his teaching career, Zurlo spent 22 years as tax collector for the Town of Champlain.
After retiring from teaching, he turned full time to politics, a natural fit for the gregarious Italian-American.
He served as the county legislator from Area 1 for six years, beginning in 1989, before he was elected county clerk in 1995.
He is now in his fourth term as clerk, winning election easily each time he's run, which is a testament to his county-wide popularity.
"John can go to any corner of the county and spend hours talking with people he knows," former WCAX-TV reporter and the 2001 Irishman of the Year Jack LaDuke said.
"I've never seen a guy like him."
TIME FOR PEOPLE
Zurlo, who loves to give 30-to-60-second handshakes accompanied by a firm shoulder grip, said he just likes people.
"I have a keen curiosity about people, and I never want to walk away from a conversation.
"I always have time for people, and I guess I just have something in my body that says I have to talk to people."
LOVE OF AREA
Still as active as he was as a younger man, Zurlo said that living in the North Country all his life has been a blessing.
"The quality of life in this community is just amazing. We've been in so many situations where people have come together to help each other out. It really has been wonderful," he said.
"If I'm just a little part of that success, then I'm proud."
BREAKFAST TRADITIONS
The breakfast crowd was treated to the usual jocularity from Killeen, who split sides with some Irish-laced jokes, some of which were laced with spice.
The crowd was also treated to the lovely Irish ballad "Danny Boy" by local singer Courtland Wood, who is a regular on the entertainment list at the breakfast. James Conley, another regular performer, played the piano for Wood.
The Cumberland Bay Chapter of Barbershop Harmony also performed some lively tunes.
Mark L. Barie, the 2004 winner, once again matched Killeen's stories with some tales of his own.
MISSING ANGIE
But this year's show missed, for the first time in its history, the music of 1965 Irishman winner Angelo LaMariana.
The diminutive violinist died last year at the age of 94.
It seemed only fitting that Zurlo, a fellow Italian, should win the prestigious award in the wake of LaMariana's passing.
"The Irish and Italians, we're both good people," Zurlo said. "They both emigrated to this country about the same time, and both had many hardships, but they persevered and helped make this country great."
E-mail Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com
