Danvers, MA – May 30, 2024 — Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School (ENSATS) is delighted to announce that Anthony “Uncle Tony” Corrao Jr. has been honored with the esteemed 2023 Larkin Lifetime Achievement Award. Uncle Tony received this prestigious award at the Larkin Gala on May 18th in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the community and his remarkable career in the local industry.
Uncle Tony was born and raised in West Gloucester and is a proud graduate of the Gloucester High School Vocational Class of 1977. Following his graduation, he served in the United States Army for three-and-a-half years, where he was involved in improving the Hawk Air Defense Missile System sites and supporting the 82 Airborne. After a year with the Florida Highway Patrol, calibrating and instructing patrol officers in radar operations, Uncle Tony pursued studies in electrical engineering at Northeastern University.
In 1984, he established Precision Roofing Services of New England, a company celebrating its 40th year in business. For the past 12 years, Precision Roofing has been recognized in the TOP 1% of workmanship throughout the United States and Canada. Uncle Tony joined the Gloucester Rotary in 2002, served as Rotary President in 2011 and 2012, and remains an active Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce member. He served twice as director and received the Small Businessman of the Year Award in 2011.
As a dedicated community supporter, Precision Roofing Services has donated roofs to various community groups, including Evan Field, the YMCA Teen Center in Rockport, Gloucester’s dog park and bandstand, the Maritime Heritage Children’s Museum, the Essex Shipbuilding Museum, and multiple Habitat for Humanity homes.
In partnership with Owens Corning Roof Shingles, Precision Roofing also donated the roof for the Larkin Memorial Cottage. Uncle Tony volunteered to teach ENSATS students how to roof using traditional methods with hammers and nails, working alongside them and his crew for two weeks to complete the project.
“Uncle Tony’s unwavering commitment to our community and his dedication to mentorship have left an indelible mark on Essex North Shore,” said Essex North Shore Superintendent Dr. Heidi Riccio. “His exceptional contributions, particularly in providing our students with hands-on experience and valuable life skills, embody the spirit of the Larkin Lifetime Achievement Award. We are deeply grateful for his continued support and tireless efforts to impact the lives of so many positively.”
The historic significance of the Larkin Memorial Cottage, initially built in 1950 in memory of Lt. Catherine Larkin, underscores the importance of this restoration project. Once completed, the Cottage will serve as a versatile multi-use facility, housing a historical museum, service kitchen, office space, exhibit hall, learning lab, and function space.
This project preserves local heritage and provides invaluable hands-on experience to students in the Construction Career Technical Education (CTAE) programs. Students engage in all aspects of the design and construction process, learning directly from skilled workers in the union trades.
Recent progress on the cottage includes significant contributions from Carpentry, Construction Craft Laborers, Plumbing, Masonry, Electrical, and Horticulture & Landscape Turf & Design students, with support from partnering contractors and generous donations from companies like Nardone Electric.
For more information about the Larkin Memorial Cottage Project and to view ongoing student work, please visit here.
For insights into past recipients of the Larkin Lifetime Achievement Award, click here.
About Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School
Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School (ENSATS) opened as a four-year Massachusetts public career technical and agricultural high school in September 2014. ENSATS admits students from 17 member communities to the district’s 26 career technical and agricultural programs. Member communities include Beverly, Boxford, Danvers, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Lynnfield, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Middleton, Nahant, Peabody, Rockport, Salem, Swampscott, Topsfield, and Wenham. Students from across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are also eligible to earn admission to Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School’s seven animal science, agricultural, or natural resource programs.
ENSATS students are immersed in both their academic and career technical and agricultural (CTAE) programs throughout each year of their enrollment. Academic courses are available at the college preparatory, honors, and advanced placement levels. CTAE program placement is determined after participation in a Freshman Exploratory Program. Eligible students may also participate in the Cooperative Education Program, beginning midway through junior year.
Academic and CTAE Program coursework is aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, Massachusetts Career Vocational Technical Education Frameworks, and Massachusetts High School Program of Studies (MassCore).
