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Hillcrest bestows honor upon Larkin
By Patrick Rheaume, Berkshire Eagle, March 18, 2006

PITTSFIELD— Former state Rep. Peter J. Larkin was honored by Hillcrest Educational Centers last night as its "Irish Person of the Year," an appropriate award for a St. Patrick's Day celebration.

During his speech at the Berkshire Hills Country Club, Larkin emphasized the importance of cooperation and inclusiveness in politics and communities. He mentioned the progress toward peace as a result of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, which ended decades of terrorist violence between Ireland’s Catholics and Protestants.  He said the Hillcrest program, for children with emotional and behavioral problems, has helped many people in Berkshire County. 

He also admitted that half his ancestors were German.

State Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli said that Larkin, a veteran legislator, helped him through his early years in Boston.

“He took me under his wing,” Pignatelli said, comparing Larkin with a senior befriending a freshman.

Levity also was a theme for the evening.  Pignatelli referenced Larkin’s current high-paying position as the chief operating officer of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council in Cambridge.

“Peter has picked up the tab for all of us here tonight,” Pignatelli said.  “We’re all going to get a reimbursement check on the way out.”

“[Former Speaker of the state House of Representatives] Tom Finneran’s under indictment, and [state Attorney General] Tom Reilly’s gubernatorial campaign’s going nowhere, he said.  “Peter, good luck.”

Larkin represented the 3rd Berkshire District, which now includes 12 of Pittsfield’s 14 precincts, for 14 years.  He resigned six days after being sworn in to his eighth term in office.

State Sen. Andrea F. Nuciforo Jr. described the celebration as a Taconic High School reunion.  Larkin once coached soccer at the high school, said Nuciforo, a 1982 graduate.

Nuciforo complained that winners of the award always have Irish surnames, such as “Reilly” or “Larkin.”  He suggested moving the “o” at the end of his last name to the beginning so as to become eligible in the future.

Guests enjoyed Irish cuisine, including corned beef, cabbage and soda bread.  Singers from the Hillcrest Centers performed traditional Irish tunes as well as an Irish step-dancing troupe.

Hillcrest has locations in Pittsfield, Hancock, Lenox and Great Barrington.  Stacey Ahlman whose son has  Asperger syndrome and obsessive compulsive disorder, said that her son has benefited significantly from his experience at the educational center.

The Massachusetts Oral Health Foundation received the Judge John A. Barry Community Service Award for helping Hillcrest create a dental clinic.

The Rev. Peter A. Gregory pastor, of St. Charles’ church, gave a blessing before dinner.  He pointed out that Catholics received a dispensation, allowing them to have meat on a Friday during Lent.

The Irish celebration was named in honor of Robert “Bees” Prendergrast, a founding member of the board of directors for the educational center.

Patrick G. Rheaume can be reached at prheaume@berkshireeagle.com or at (413) 664-4995.

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