Thanks to the generous support and participation of our concerned community, we are celebrating our 33rd Anniversary honoring Bayport – Blue Point’s top high school seniors with 4 Memorial Scholarship awards in the amount of $2500 each.
Thirty-three years ago, Michael G. Marchan Jr. had a vision and took it upon himself to begin a scholarship for a deserving high school student in Bayport – Blue Point. He knew a man, Vinny Perri, who was a little league coach for over twenty-five years, and who went about his life quietly just working with young kids and helping them grow and learn through their participation in baseball. This was the person that Michael Marchan decided to honor by creating a scholarship in his name.
Mike Marchan, Jr. was a New York City Fireman; he served in the United States Marines; he was a member of the Bayport Fire Department; he coached little league and was a loving husband, dad and grandfather. He was always approachable and he was always one of the first people to offer aid and assistance to anyone in need. His heart was very big and his willingness to help people was unbridled.
In 2013, we added a scholarship to honor Jeannine David, who lost her battle with cancer in 2012. Jeannine was our first Vinny Perri Memorial Scholarship winner in 1990.
In 2016, we added a scholarship to honor our fallen friend, brother and hero, Firefighter Greg Chevalley, who passed away in 2015 due to complications from cancer caused by ingesting the air at the World Trade Center following 9/11.
In 2017 we added a scholarship to honor one of Bayport’s finest, Ed Herting, who passed away earlier that year. Ed was an outspoken supporter of all things Bayport-Blue Point, residing here for over 45 years, serving in the FDNY as well Chief of the Bayport Fire Department.
In 2021, we added Wayne Rogers, Sr. to our scholarship for his commitment and dedication to the Vinny Perri Memorial Scholarship over many years.
In 2022, Tom Reid was added to our scholarship. Tom was a husband, dad, veteran of the US Army, printer, DJ, publisher, civic association leader and a valuable member of our scholarship committee.