Coe to receive Shapiro Award tonight from chamber

To Benjamin P. Coe, serving his community is its own reward.

But friends and community leaders decided the first executive director of the Tug Hill Commission and founder of the Volunteer Transportation Center should be recognized publicly. Mr. Coe is the winner of the 2011 Israel A. Shapiro Award, announced by the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce.

"There is more satisfaction in giving service than in anything else on earth," he said. "Many unusual and wonderful things happen when you serve others."

The Israel A. Shapiro Citizenship Award was created by Arnold I. Shapiro, a former Watertown Chamber of Commerce director, to honor the memory of his father, a longtime local business leader. The award is given by the chamber to a resident who best exemplifies outstanding citizenship, achievement, leadership, dedication and motivation.

"Mr. Coe has demonstrated leadership skills that exemplified what Mr. Shapiro was," said Lynn M. Pietroski, president and CEO of the chamber. "His achievements are remarkable."

Mr. Coe, the 60th recipient, will receive the award at a chamber dinner tonight at the Ramada Inn, Route 3. His wife, Margaret B., was given the award in 1980 for her work in founding the Women's Center of Jefferson County, now the Victims Assistance Center.

"I certainly never expected to be chosen," he said.

But Mr. Coe has made a mark in the community since moving here in 1973 to lead the newly created Tug Hill Commission. He is a member of Noon Rotary Club, is a choir member and former warden at Trinity Episcopal Church and remains involved with nonprofits including the Volunteer Transportation Center and United Way of Northern New York.

Even in his moment of personal recognition, he thought of those organizations and encouraged participation in the Feb. 4 North Country Chili Cook-Off, which supports the center and the American Legion Auxiliary of Jefferson County.

Mr. Coe started a career as a chemical engineer for General Electric before deciding to join the Tug Hill Commission. His father was in the Navy, so he moved frequently. He graduated from Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge.

Once the Coes came here, they decided to stay where, Mr. Coe quipped, "people didn't understand what a good thing they had."

"We had a lot of possible places we might go in retirement, but we love the area and we enjoy the summer and winter recreation," Mr. Coe said. "We are involved in activities with people we're fond of and we're working in the community, so we decided to stay right here."

Jefferson Rehabilitation Center Executive Director Howard W. Ganter nominated Mr. Coe.

"I consider him to be one of my mentors," Mr. Gander said. "He gives the community service of himself, of his time, money and energy."