The Hattie Brown Award is named in honor of longtime
active Fourth of July Committee member, the late Hattie
Brown. The award is presented annually to a worthy Bristolian
who demonstrates the same spirit of community service that was exhibited by Ms. Brown.
Hattie was well known for her charitable contributions and activities in Bristol and throughout the State. Our recipient this year is Karl Antonevich.

The 238th Celebration Hattie Brown recipient Karl Antonevich, keeps a low profile, but if an organization or family needs assistance he is front and center, especially in support of Veterans. The point is he helps without fanfare. Karl grew up in Pawtucket until moving to Barrington at the age of 12. He graduated from Barrington High School in 1969 after which he joined the United States Navy and became an Aviation Electrician Mate. He was assigned to two different jet squadrons during his Navy career which included one onboard the carrier USS America CV66 when it was off the coast of Vietnam.

Karl met his wife while in the Navy. They are the parents of three children, Keith, Kerri and Kevin and seven grandchildren. The family moved to Bristol in 1994 for the friendly atmosphere and because they saw it as the best move anybody could make. I don’t believe any here will dispute that. Their first neighbors were the 237th Celebration Hattie Brown recipients, Kenny and Mary Watkinson, whom they consider are the best neighbors anyone could have. He was employed for thirty-eight years as a Shipfitter at Electric Boat building submarines until retiring on October 6, 2006. He has been a member of the VFW since 1995 where all members work to keep Anthony C. Almeida Post 237 active in the service of area Veterans. He coordinated a joint effort in rebuilding a deck for the Michael Andrade family. Recently, he organized another deck rebuilding project supported by the VFW and the Bristol Elks Lodge. He was actively involved in the creation and installation of the McKenna Memorial adjacent to the VFW.

As a Bristol Veterans Council member, he is actively involved in Bristol’s Memorial Day Celebration and the placement of the American Flag on Veteran gravesites. He says he is older now and slowing down and his commitment now is enjoying time with his great wife and with his children and grandchildren.