New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Like father, like sons
Another Amato attains Eagle rank
ANSONIA — For the Amato clan of Ansonia, Scouting truly is a family affair.
Brothers James, Ryan and Cameron Amato all have followed in their father Jim’s footsteps, each having attained the highest rank in Scouting: Eagle Scout.
The latest brother to achieve the rank is Cameron Amato, 18, who will be honored during a Court of Honor Ceremony on Saturday at the family’s home. Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti and Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti will be on hand.
Cameron and his brothers were members of Boy Scout Troop 55, Shelton, and Cub Scout Pack 5, Ansonia.
Jim and Dodi Amato said they couldn’t be more proud of their sons’ accomplishments.
“This trifecta puts the cap on 17 years of Amato family involvement in Housatonic Council’s Cub Scout Pack 5 (Ansonia) and BSA Troop 55 (Shelton),” said Dodi Amato.
And just like when his father made Eagle Scout in 1987 with Troop 102, Naugatuck, Cameron Amato also organized a toy drive to benefit area kids for his Eagle Scout project.
According to Dodi Amato, Cameron joined forces with Club Corvette of Connecticut and Connecticut State Police Troop G and collected more than 200 toys last November to benefit the children of Bridgeport and surrounding areas. The toys were delivered to Troop G in Bridgeport last December.
Like father, like son,
Dodi Amato said her husband also ran a toy drive in the late 1980s in Naugatuck and collected and delivered the toys to disadvantaged children in Whitley City,
Ky.
James Amato, 22, achieved Eagle Scout in 2014, followed by brother Ryan, 20, in 2016.
James Amato, who works for FedEx, renovated three rooms in the Assumption Church rectory, repainting and making repairs to the ceilings, enabling two of the rooms to be used for overnight guests of the church and a third as a community room.
Ryan Amato, a junior at the University of Connecticut studying creative writing, completed a book drive for his Eagle Scout project, which benefited Read to Grow, based in Branford. He collected 1,800 children’s books.
Cameron Amato will attend Housatonic Community College this fall to study graphic design.
“All their projects were designed to give back to a community,” said Dodi Amato. “They have camped and hiked together for years while in Scouts, and the whole family attended the high adventure trip to Colorado Springs, Colo., where they rafted, rappelled and rambled all over the area and even ziplined over a 750-foot gorge.”
Cassetti said he’s proud of all the Amato boys’ accomplishments through Scouting.
“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” Cassetti said. “Cameron and his brothers have been instilled with sound values and principles and have taken their cue from their dad. Mr. Amato has led by example. He must be very proud and so are we.”