By Theresa Knapp 

The Hopedale Board of Selectmen honored the memory of Colonel Matthew G.M. Masnik by reading a citation award at its Sept. 13 meeting.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Brian Keyes also read the citation at this year’s Day in the Park celebration on Sept. 19. 

“I thought it would be a great idea with him passing this year and his love of this town, this community, all that he did -- as well as his attendance and interest in the Day in the Park that we would commemorate this year’s Day in the Park event in his honor and in his name,” said Keyes at the board meeting. 

The citation reads: 

“For outstanding service while selflessly devoting immeasurable hours of volunteer service to the community, local community organizations and serving our Country. Colonel Masnik’s devotion and dedication to the Town of Hopedale, the youth, his family, and his Country reflects great credit upon himself.”

Masnik died on July 1. According to his obituary, “He was very active within his community and known as the ‘recycling man’ where he would recycle cans and bottles and donate his earnings back to local charities such as the Boy Scouts and Sacred Heart Church in Hopedale.”