WORCESTER—Created in 2001, the Harvey Ball is a chance for the Worcester Historical Museum to bestow a major honor upon an individual or group of individuals who have positively impacted the city in a major way.
Past recipients include Allen W. Fletcher, The Crowley Family, Charles P. Ball, Senator Harriette Chandler, Cliff Rucker, Martha Grace, Judi Kirk and James Welu.
Worcester Historical Museum announced recently that the 2024 Harvey Ball Smile Award will be presented this year to the Coghlin Family—James Coghlin Sr., James Coghlin Jr., and Chris Coghlin of the Coghlin Companies, and Susan Mailman of Coghlin Electrical Contractors.
Engineering and manufacturing pioneer John P. Coghlin founded Coghlin Electric Company in 1885, 130 years ago, and the family and its companies “have been dedicated to serving the citizens and businesses of Worcester and the surrounding communities.”
On behalf of the Coghlin Family, Chris Coghlin, president, CEO and chief culture officer of the Coghlin Companies, stated in an announcement, “It is a great honor for our family to be named the 2024 recipient of the Harvey Ball Smile Award. We look forward to receiving this distinguished honor on behalf of four generations of Coghlin family business leaders, countless dedicated professionals who have worked for the Coghlins and so many trusted community leaders.
“The Coghlin family has had a profound impact on Worcester and Central Massachusetts, truly making our communities smile,” said Bill Wallace, WHM’s executive director, in a statement. “We are proud to honor the memory and legacy of Harvey Ball and his world-famous creation, the Smiley Face, with this presentation.”
The location of this year’s event, which takes place on World Smile Day (Friday, Oct. 4) remains a secret for now, but promises to be “as innovative and creative as the Coghlin family.”
“We are looking forward to a fun and exciting evening of celebration and a great opportunity to share our gratification with so many!” said Chris in a statement.
Contact Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
