2008 Hall of Fame Inductees

Weldon Hilchey, '37 - 2008 Hall of Fame
	*Weldon Hilchey, '37* - After graduating from OACS Weldon attended vocational school for one year where he studied welding, metallurgy, and machine shop. During World War II Weldon taught welding school for two years at Chanute Field Vocational School before being sent with the United States Army to England as a Combat Division Engineer during the Battle of Britain. He was in charge of two groups of 72 specialists who were capable of repairing almost everything, including B-24 bombers. Weldon traveled all over England teaching American methods to English soldiers. He was in England until the end of combat in Europe before returning to the US and being discharged in 1946. For his service Weldon received a Meritorious Service Award and the Presidential Award from President Roosevelt. When Weldon returned home he went to work for the Massey Harris Company in Batavia. He worked there as a welding engineer for 15 years until the company closed. At that time he opened his own business, Hilchey's Welding Service, which he operated for over 50 years. In 1956 Weldon became involved with Troop 6 Boy Scouts of America in Batavia. He worked with the troop and served as scout master for 50 years. Weldon believed his job all those years was to teach young scouts the Love of God-Love of Country-and Love of Mankind. His long service to Boy Scouts made him the longest-serving Scoutmaster in the United States. In 1970 Weldon was named Man of the Year by the Elba Rotary Club. Twenty-four years later the Batavia Rotary Club named him their Man of the Year. The highest award to be obtained by a Rotarian, the Paul Harris Medal, was presented to Weldon in 1996. He was also recognized for 38 years of perfect attendance in Rotary. In April, 2007 the Batavia Sertoma Club presented its first posthumous awards; the Service to Mankind and Ben Franklin awards were presented to the family of the late Weldon Hilchey, who died Sept. 3, 2006. Weldon is remembered as a man who devoted his life to Scouting and helping others.

Weldon Hilchey, '37 - 2008 Hall of Fame

Weldon Hilchey, '37 - After graduating from OACS Weldon attended vocational school for one year where he studied welding, metallurgy, and machine shop. During World War II Weldon taught welding school for two years at Chanute Field Vocational School before being sent with the United States Army to England as a Combat Division Engineer during the Battle of Britain. He was in charge of two groups of 72 specialists who were capable of repairing almost everything, including B-24 bombers. Weldon traveled all over England teaching American methods to English soldiers. He was in England until the end of combat in Europe before returning to the US and being discharged in 1946. For his service Weldon received a Meritorious Service Award and the Presidential Award from President Roosevelt.

When Weldon returned home he went to work for the Massey Harris Company in Batavia. He worked there as a welding engineer for 15 years until the company closed. At that time he opened his own business, Hilchey's Welding Service, which he operated for over 50 years.

In 1956 Weldon became involved with Troop 6 Boy Scouts of America in Batavia. He worked with the troop and served as scout master for 50 years. Weldon believed his job all those years was to teach young scouts the Love of God-Love of Country-and Love of Mankind. His long service to Boy Scouts made him the longest-serving Scoutmaster in the United States.

In 1970 Weldon was named Man of the Year by the Elba Rotary Club. Twenty-four years later the Batavia Rotary Club named him their Man of the Year. The highest award to be obtained by a Rotarian, the Paul Harris Medal, was presented to Weldon in 1996. He was also recognized for 38 years of perfect attendance in Rotary. In April, 2007 the Batavia Sertoma Club presented its first posthumous awards; the Service to Mankind and Ben Franklin awards were presented to the family of the late Weldon Hilchey, who died Sept. 3, 2006. Weldon is remembered as a man who devoted his life to Scouting and helping others.

Michael Peck, '69 - 2008 Hall of Fame
	*Michael Peck, '69* - Michael grew up in the Town of Alabama, graduated from OACS, and went on to become a Theology graduate of Practical Bible School of Binghamton, NY. His studies eventually led him to Luther Rice Seminary, where he earned a Doctor of Ministry in 1989. In addition to currently serving as the Vice President of Baptist Church Planters, a missionary agency which assists missionaries in planting Baptist Churches, Michael has had the privilege of traveling throughout the United States as family conference speaker and author. During the past seven years Michael has spoken in over 350 churches in America on the subject of home, family, marriage and parenting. He authored the book, Reach Out and Help, and was a contributing author to Hope Grows in Winter. Mike has been invited to the Philippines and the Republic of Mali to preach, and counsel missionaries and church leaders. From 1987 - 1995 his services were broadcast daily during prime time on secular radio and television stations. He has served on the Executive Board of The Association of Baptists for World Evangelism, and served several terms on the Council of Ten for the Empire State Fellowship of Regular Baptists. Michael and his wife, the former Karen Speed, are the parents of two sons, one of whom is deceased, eight adopted special needs children, and have raised fifteen other children not eligible for adoption. Michael sees himself and his wife as very ordinary folks with an unusual family.

Michael Peck, '69 - 2008 Hall of Fame

Michael Peck, '69 - Michael grew up in the Town of Alabama, graduated from OACS, and went on to become a Theology graduate of Practical Bible School of Binghamton, NY. His studies eventually led him to Luther Rice Seminary, where he earned a Doctor of Ministry in 1989. In addition to currently serving as the Vice President of Baptist Church Planters, a missionary agency which assists missionaries in planting Baptist Churches, Michael has had the privilege of traveling throughout the United States as family conference speaker and author. During the past seven years Michael has spoken in over 350 churches in America on the subject of home, family, marriage and parenting. He authored the book, Reach Out and Help, and was a contributing author to Hope Grows in Winter. Mike has been invited to the Philippines and the Republic of Mali to preach, and counsel missionaries and church leaders.

From 1987 - 1995 his services were broadcast daily during prime time on secular radio and television stations. He has served on the Executive Board of The Association of Baptists for World Evangelism, and served several terms on the Council of Ten for the Empire State Fellowship of Regular Baptists.

Michael and his wife, the former Karen Speed, are the parents of two sons, one of whom is deceased, eight adopted special needs children, and have raised fifteen other children not eligible for adoption. Michael sees himself and his wife as very ordinary folks with an unusual family.

Patrick Pedro, '77 - 2008 Hall of Fame
	*Patrick J. Pedro, '77* - By the time Patrick graduated from OACS he had already developed a reputation as a defender of individual rights. In 1981 he graduated from Bucknell University with a BS in Business Administration. From there Patrick went on to Notre Dame Law School where he received a Juris Doctor degree in 1984. After obtaining his law degree, Patrick joined the Syracuse office of Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC as a business and corporate attorney. In 1993, he became a partner in the firm. Patrick is a graduate of "Leadership Greater Syracuse," a program in which promising business people are trained in making a greater impact on the community's well-being. In 1998 he was a member of the inaugural group to receive the city's "40 Under 40" award, recognizing 40 central New York individuals under the age of 40 for their business achievements and civic involvement. Patrick has authored numerous publications and legal papers on matters of business and healthcare law, and has been quoted as a legal authority in several trade and general-interest publications. He has also been a frequent lecturer on various legal topics, both to other attorneys and to the general public. His civic involvement includes a being a past president and current member of the Board of Directors of the Syracuse Opera Company, membership in the Board of Trustees of Everson Museum of Art, and past membership in the Board of Directors of the Fayetteville-Manlius Education Foundation.

Patrick Pedro, '77 - 2008 Hall of Fame

Patrick J. Pedro, '77 - By the time Patrick graduated from OACS he had already developed a reputation as a defender of individual rights. In 1981 he graduated from Bucknell University with a BS in Business Administration. From there Patrick went on to Notre Dame Law School where he received a Juris Doctor degree in 1984. After obtaining his law degree, Patrick joined the Syracuse office of Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC as a business and corporate attorney. In 1993, he became a partner in the firm.

Patrick is a graduate of "Leadership Greater Syracuse," a program in which promising business people are trained in making a greater impact on the community's well-being. In 1998 he was a member of the inaugural group to receive the city's "40 Under 40" award, recognizing 40 central New York individuals under the age of 40 for their business achievements and civic involvement.

Patrick has authored numerous publications and legal papers on matters of business and healthcare law, and has been quoted as a legal authority in several trade and general-interest publications. He has also been a frequent lecturer on various legal topics, both to other attorneys and to the general public.

His civic involvement includes a being a past president and current member of the Board of Directors of the Syracuse Opera Company, membership in the Board of Trustees of Everson Museum of Art, and past membership in the Board of Directors of the Fayetteville-Manlius Education Foundation.

Timothy Woodward, '69 - 2008 Hall of Fame
	*Timothy D. Woodward, '69* - Tim feels Oakfield-Alabama played a major role in shaping his life. After graduating in 1969 he attended Genesee Community College, earning an Associates Degree in 1971. From 1976-1977 Tim attended the Simmons School of Mortuary Science, from which he received a degree in Funeral Directing. He has been a funeral director since 1977, and in 1986 Tim and his wife purchased Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. in Batavia. In 2007 Tim and his younger son purchased the Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC in Perry, NY. Tim retired as Lt. Colonel after 22 years of service in the New York Army National Guard and Army Reserves. He is a former Commander of Company C 1/174 INF, assigned to the State Street Armory in Batavia, NY. Tim has received various military awards and commendations, and is a member of Glenn S. Loomis American Legion Post # 332 in Batavia. Tim has served in numerous community and civic organizations. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Genesee Community College Foundation, and has served as chairperson of ENCORE, a fundraising benefit for Genesee Community College. Tim served as a founding member and past Board Director of Crossroads House in Batavia, and is Vice President-elect of the Board of Directors of the United Memorial Medical Center Foundation. The Batavia Lions Club presented Tim with its Presidential Award for service to the club of which he had been a member for over 20 years.

Timothy Woodward, '69 - 2008 Hall of Fame

Timothy D. Woodward, '69 - Tim feels Oakfield-Alabama played a major role in shaping his life. After graduating in 1969 he attended Genesee Community College, earning an Associates Degree in 1971. From 1976-1977 Tim attended the Simmons School of Mortuary Science, from which he received a degree in Funeral Directing. He has been a funeral director since 1977, and in 1986 Tim and his wife purchased Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. in Batavia. In 2007 Tim and his younger son purchased the Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC in Perry, NY.

Tim retired as Lt. Colonel after 22 years of service in the New York Army National Guard and Army Reserves. He is a former Commander of Company C 1/174 INF, assigned to the State Street Armory in Batavia, NY. Tim has received various military awards and commendations, and is a member of Glenn S. Loomis American Legion Post # 332 in Batavia.

Tim has served in numerous community and civic organizations. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Genesee Community College Foundation, and has served as chairperson of ENCORE, a fundraising benefit for Genesee Community College. Tim served as a founding member and past Board Director of Crossroads House in Batavia, and is Vice President-elect of the Board of Directors of the United Memorial Medical Center Foundation. The Batavia Lions Club presented Tim with its Presidential Award for service to the club of which he had been a member for over 20 years.