x
  1. Home
  2.  News
  3.  Local News

Vernon's extraordinary seniors honored

| 22 May 2015 | 04:06
    From the left are Vernon Mayor Victor Marotta and Outstanding Senior of the Year Andrea "Bunny" Cocula.
    From the left are Vernon Mayor Victor Marotta and Outstanding Senior of the Year Andrea "Bunny" Cocula.
    Outstanding Senior of the Year Charles McSpiritt's granddaughter, Allison, 2, dances with Vernon senior Bunny Music.
    Outstanding Senior of the Year Charles McSpiritt's granddaughter, Allison, 2, dances with Vernon senior Bunny Music.
    From the left are Outstanding Senior of the Year Charles McSpiritt, Vernon Mayor Victor Marotta, and Outstanding Senior of the Year Andrea "Bunny" Cocula.
    From the left are Outstanding Senior of the Year Charles McSpiritt, Vernon Mayor Victor Marotta, and Outstanding Senior of the Year Andrea "Bunny" Cocula.
    From the left are Outstanding Senior of the Year Charles McSpiritt and Vernon Mayor Victor Marotta.
    From the left are Outstanding Senior of the Year Charles McSpiritt and Vernon Mayor Victor Marotta.

VERNON — Last Wednesday was a special day for two very special seniors. Charles “Charlie” McSpiritt of Barry Lakes and Andrea “Bunny” Cocula of Vernon Valley Lake were recognized for their selfless acts and a commitment to volunteerism in the township.

Nearly 200 people attended the ceremonies and luncheon held at Minerals Resort & Spa, including municipal, county, and state-level officials.

McSpiritt has been a member of the Vernon Township Ambulance Squad for more than 18 years and spends more than 30 hours a week as a volunteer with the ambulance squad. He is certified as a CPR and First Aid instructor and has trained most, if not all, of the Ambulance Squad. On average, he responds to more than 300 emergency calls each year.

Cocula has been the treasurer for Vernon Township Ambulance Squad since its inception in 1964. In addition, she has worked on the Sussex County Board of Taxation as a commissioner. She has also been a member of the Sussex County Municipal Utility Authority’s Board of Commissioners since 1999 and a member of the Vernon Township Land Use Board.

— Photos by Chris Wyman