We offer our official congratulations to Winthrop Fire Chief Paul Flanagan and CASA administrator LeighAnn Eruzione Callinan on being named the Winthrop Sun-Transcript’s Man and Woman of the Year respectively.
Chief Flanagan is carrying on a proud family tradition of serving the Winthrop community in the local Fire Department that spans decades of service to the town. The chief noted how he proud he was to serve in the department for 10 years with his father, Charles Joseph Flanagan, before his retirement in 1990. His brothers, Chuck and Robert, are also credits to their family, the town, and the fire department.
Chief Flanagan’s contributions to the town extends beyond his daily administration of the 34 outstanding men and women who comprise our fire department. His volunteer leadership of the town’s annual Fourth of July Fireworks show has kept this great tradition alive, allowing Winthrop residents to enjoy the event because of the chief’s commitment to it. We are fortunate to have Chief Flanagan at the helm of a department that keeps our town safe and sound and in command of the newest technological advances in firefighting.
LeighAnn Eruzione was an outstanding choice for the award for her outstanding work at CASA in the fight against opioid abuse. Having grown up here and attended Winthrop High School, and now raising three young children with her husband, Winthrop Police Detective Tim Callinan, LeighAnn has a firsthand knowledge of the Winthrop community and the challenges facing residents today. The energy she brings to all of her endeavors is contagious and her love of the town and the townspeople is noteworthy.
LeighAnn is well-respected in her field and her trustworthiness and dependability are assets in her work in real estate, helping families attain their dream of owning a home.
As well know, the name Eruzione is prominent not only in Winthrop, but nationally and internationally to the millions who remember the goal that beat the Soviet Union in the 1980 Olympics that was scored by LeighAnn Eruzione’s father, Michael Eruzione. And for Winthrop football fans, her uncle, Vinnie Eruzione — now the director of athletics at Curry College — is remembered fondly for his coaching some of the great WHS football teams led by cousin, Hall of Fame football coach Tony Fucillo, most notably the back-to-back Super Bowls teams in 1992 and 1993.
And let’s not forget Donna Eruzione, LeighAnn’s mom, who has been so instrumental in setting the great foundation for LeighAnn and her brothers, Michael Jr. and Paul. We would be remiss if we did not add a “Thank you,†here to Donna and Mike, for all they do for our town and its residents with Winthrop Charities.
The commitment of the Eruziones and their extended family to the Town of Winthrop truly is generational, and we are proud to salute LeighAnn Eruzione for making her own contribution to our community and for all of the good work she has accomplished in the past and will continue to accomplish in the future.