Prince Henry Society to present Founder’s Award, honor Portuguese-Americans of the Year

TAUNTON – The Prince Henry Society will be awarding the ‘Founder’s Award’ to Henry “Hank” Mello for dedicating his time, energy and passion to numerous causes and organizations.

In honoring him, the Taunton Chapter of the Prince Henry Society notes that his “journey to becoming a pillar of his community in the United States is inspiring.”

“In every aspect of his life, Henry Mello’s unwavering dedication, service, and commitment to community shine brightly, leaving an indelible mark on all who have the privilege of knowing him,” stressed PHS officials in a prepared statement.

Mello will receive the award on April 2 during the Society’s annual banquet, which will be held at The District Center for the Arts in Taunton.

The Society’s three chapters – New Bedford, Fall River and Taunton – will join together for the banquet, which is being hosted by the Taunton Chapter this year.

The event will also serve to honor the recipients of the ‘Portuguese-American of the Year’ award, who were selected by each PHS chapter for their commitment to their respective communities and the society’s mission of community service and dedication to Portuguese heritage.

For the Taunton chapter, this year’s honoree is Jack Gaspar. The New Bedford chapter will be recognizing Marc Santos, while the Fall River chapter will be honoring Joseph C. Borges.

Mello ‘epitomizes dedication, service and community spirit’

Teresa Mello, the president of the Taunton Chapter of the Prince Henry Society, told O Jornal the Founder’s Award is highly prestigious.

In a press release, PHS officials highlighted how Mello “epitomizes dedication, service, and community spirit.”

Born in Povoação, Azores, Mello moved to the United States as a child. After graduating from Taunton High School, he pursued further education at Bristol Community College and then began his professional career at Raytheon Co.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1969, serving with honor during the Vietnam War and earning recognition with a Bronze Star.

“Hank’s commitment to community service is unparalleled,” reads the prepared statement. “His extensive involvement in various organizations, such as the Taunton Western Little League, Portuguese American Civic Club, and the Luso American Committee for Education in Taunton underscores his dedication to making a positive impact on those around him.”

Mello has also contributed significantly to the Raytheon Employees Association, the Taunton School Committee, and the PRIDE Board of Directors.

“As a member of the Taunton Area Vietnam Veterans Association and a longstanding participant in the Prince Henry Society for over three decades, Hank’s contributions have been invaluable,” PHS officials noted. “His leadership roles within the Society, including serving as Scholarship Committee Chairman and holding positions as Secretary and President at both the Taunton Chapter and State Council levels, reflect his commitment to fostering excellence and provided him a platform to actively advocate to nominate the first female president of the Prince Henry Society.”

Gaspar’s ‘endless energy is contagious’

Taunton’s chapter will honor Jack Gaspar, proprietor of Hyde Paving and a partner in One Way Recycling and other joint ventures. He is also the founder of Hydeville Farms.

An immigrant from Moscavide, Portugal, he immigrated to the United States in 1982.

He has been involved in many community organizations in the Greater Taunton area, including PHS, the Eagles Club, Italian Club, and Grupo Folclórico da Cidade de Taunton.

“His endless energy is contagious, and he is a big kid at heart,” according to the press release.

In 2022, Gaspar received the PHS Pilot Award for his contributions to the Taunton chapter.

PHS officials pointed out he is always ready to volunteer, and his acts of kindness are too numerous to list.

“Always ready to assist in some way, Jack was instrumental in the relocation of the Veterans Memorial to its new home,” reads the release. “Taking responsibility for the physical transfer of the monument, he went above and beyond by creating the concrete pad and surrounding patio.”

Santos has served the New Bedford chapter for 40 years

The New Bedford chapter will honor Marc Santos, a retired Bristol County Clerk of Courts.

A New Bedford native, he earned a Law degree from the New England School of Law.

In 1984, he was appointed as an Assistant Clerk/Magistrate at the Bristol County Superior Court.

In 1990, after serving as temporary Clerk for one year, he was elected to the position by the voters of Bristol County, and re-elected to an additional five, six-year terms until his retirement in 2022.

A member of the Prince Henry Society since 1984, he has served the New Bedford chapter in many capacities, including corresponding secretary, treasurer, vice-president, and president.

He was the recipient of the Prince Henry Society Pilot Class in 1989 and the Past President Award in 2022.

Besides PHS, he has been involved in several other community organizations.

He served on the Board of Directors of Access for Community Enhancement Services, a New Bedford-based organization dedicated to providing integrated services to individuals with disabilities.

He was also a founding member of the extinct Harbor Investment Club and served in various roles in the Fairhaven Little League, Hetland Youth Ice Hockey, and Bridgewater Bandits Minor Hockey Association.

Borges has served the community in a variety of leadership roles

The Fall River chapter will honor Joseph C. Borges.

A native of Fazenda do Nordeste, São Miguel, Azores, Borges moved to Fall River in 1967.

At age 16, he was pulled from school to work in a mill and help support his family. Two years later, he enlisted in the United States Army and served honorably for three years, ending his military career as a sergeant.

While serving, he earned his GED and became a U.S. citizen. He went on to earn a degree in Electronic Engineering from Southeastern Massachusetts University (now UMass Dartmouth).

In 1992, he became the head of the Tobacco Control Program for the City of Fall River and led that program for about a decade.

In 2003, he moved into the banking sector, becoming a branch manager for First Federal Savings Bank. In 2010, he joined BankFive, where he is now vice president of Business Development.

Throughout his career, Borges has served the community in a variety of leadership roles, including being co-chair of the Humanitarian and Relief Committee with the Prince Henry Society of Fall River, president of the Downtown Business Association (Fall River), board member of the Fall River Historical Society, board member of the Southcoast Health Business Council, and member of the Business for Better Parking (Fall River), Fall River Chamber of Commerce, American Cancer Society, United Way of NB Annual Appeal, and the Holy Trinity School Finance Committee.

For more information about PHS and the event, visit http://princehenrytaunton.org

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Prince Henry Society to honor four individuals at annual banquet