2006 Meritorious Hall of Fame

Marvin E. Abel

Marvin E. Abel graduated from East Stroudsburg High School in 1930, where he was an academic student, gymnast and basketball player. He was a starter on the Tri-County Championship basketball team in 1930. A great public servant, Marvin was a 71-year member of East Stroudsburg Fire Company and served as the Fire Chief for 15 years. He was the president of the Four-County Fireman's Association in 1959-60 and was their convention chairman in 1958. During the flood of 1955, Marvin led a team of firefighters and rescuers who saved more than 400 people. A staunch advocate of public safety, Marvin was the Division Chief and Director of the US Civil Defense Council of Monroe County and developed the model civil defense plan for all Pennsylvania counties. He also established 10 fallout shelters in Monroe County and helped develop the first fire school in the county, where he served as a fire instructor. Marvin was also a probation and parole officer, a certified correctional officer, and a certified domestic relations officer.

Jerrold E. Fritz, Ed.D.

Dr. Jerrold E. Fritz has served the East Stroudsburg Area School District for the past 50 years as a teacher, guidance counselor, director of guidance services, assistant to the superintendent, guidance department chairperson (K-12), guidance department chairperson (9-12), assistant football coach, assistant basketball coach, student council advisor, National Honor Society advisor, volunteer, and through his involvement in many other academic initiatives, clubs and activities. He has also served as the chairperson of the East Stroudsburg Area School District Halls and Walls of Fame Steering Committee and the Meritorious Hall of Fame Selection Committee from 2004 to 2005. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in education from East Stroudsburg State Teacher's College in 1955, a Master's Degree in Education from Lehigh University in 1965, and a doctoral Degree in Education from Lehigh in 1970. Dr. Fritz was also an instructor in the US Army School of Cryptography, a PIAA baseball official and a member of the United Way . He also served as a president, vice president, and treasurer of the Kiwanis Club, the District Chairperson of the PA District Kiwanis International, and received the Kiwanis Distinguished President Award in 1979-80. He was an IDEA fellow in 1966 and a winner of the Nathan G. Schafer Scholarship Award that same year. A member of Phi Delta Kappa, Dr. Fritz was honored as Kappan of the Year in 1978-79 and received the George H. Reavis Award 1994-95. He is a co-founder and charter member of the NE PA Community Federal Credit Union and has served as its CEO and President/CEO.

Thomas J. Grayuski

Tom Grayuski is a graduate of the class of 1980. He was an honor student who was recognized in Who's Who and earned four varsity letters. He received a BA in Economics from ESU in 1984 and a Master's Degree in Human Resources from the University of Scranton in 1990. Tom is currently the Vice President for Human Resources at East Stroudsburg Savings Association. He is a member of the Leadership Pocono Class of 1999 and the Society for Human Resources Management. A great public servant, Tom has served as a member of the VNA/Hospice of Monroe County Board, the Burnley Workshop Board, the SARPD Heart & Lung Board, the United Way of Monroe County Funds Distribution Committee, the ESASD Strategic Planning Committee, the ESASD Occupational Advisory Committee, the Blue Cross of NEPA Advisory Council, the East Stroudsburg Little League Field Renovation Committee, and the Chamber of Commerce Public Relations Committee. He is currently serving as East Stroudsburg Little League Vice President and coach. He has also served as the United Way of Monroe County Loan Executive, East Stroudsburg/Stroudsburg Senior Little League President, Senior Little League District Representative, an ESYA coach, and a YMCA coach. He has two children: Nathan and Nicole.

Charles Lilli, SC, USN

Rear Admiral Charles Lilli is a graduate of the class of 1976. While in high school, he was a member of the National Honor Society, recognized in Who's Who and served as the ESHS Band President. He was named the Outstanding Instrumentalist and played lead trombone. He also earned All-District, All-Regional and District Orchestra recognition for his superb musical talents. A fine athlete, Rear Admiral Lilli was the Tennis Pro at Eagle Valley Racquet Club. He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Muhlenburg College and was commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy in 1980. He later earned a Master's Degree from the Naval Postgraduate School . He has served as Chief of Staff, Naval Supply Systems Command, in Mechanicsburg , PA and toured afloat as Supply Officer on the USS Kidd, USS Supply, and USS Essex. He also served as assistant Supply Officer on the USS California. In 2004, he became a Rear Admiral in the US Navy and took over as the Commander of the Defense Supply Center in Columbus , Ohio the following year. Among his awards and honors, Rear Admiral Lilli has been awarded the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal (fourth award), the Navy Commendation Medal (fifth award), and the Navy Achievement Award.

Robert V. Nauman, Ph.D.

Dr. Robert V. Nauman is the valedictorian of the ESHS Class of 1940. He is an East Stroudsburg Area School District Academic Wall of Fame inductee. He played soccer and basketball and was a member of the high school band. He graduated from Duke University in 1943 at the age of 19. While at Duke, he earned three varsity letters in baseball, was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the president of Sigma Chi and a member of the student senate. A protégé of world-renowned professor Gilbert Newton Lewis at the University of California , Berkeley , Dr. Nauman received a Ph.D. in 1947. He was also a research associate of Nobel Laureate Peter Debye of Cornell University. In 1953, Dr. Nauman joined the faculty at Louisiana State University , where he became a full professor in 1962. He has published more than 60 scientific articles in reviewed literature and journals, was the founder and president of the LSU Faculty Senate and the president of the LSU Phi Beta Kappa Chapter and the Sigma Xi Chapter, a highly prestigious, scientific honorary society. Dr. Nauman was the author and major contributor to LSU's “Centers for Excellence” grant and received two Fulbright grants. He has also taught at the Santa Maria University in Valparaiso, Chile and the University of Chile , Santiago. He was a member of the Board of the University United Methodist Church and, in 1993, coached a Class A National Championship Tourney fast pitch softball team. A genealogist, Dr. Nauman is also the author of novels, biographies, histories, and articles.