Joe Lazzaro |
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JOE LAZZARO - 2012
Joe Lazzaro started his competitive bodybuilding career
in 1949 and continued through 2007. During those 58 years, Joe racked up 54 top three finishes, of which 34 were first-place.
Joe's most notable wins include Mr. Buffalo, Mr. New York State, Mr. Pittsburgh, Junior Mr. America, Mr. Eastern America,
Mr. North America and the Mr. America over 40 when he was a young 50 years old. I first met Joe when I became involved in
competing in and judging bodybuilding in the Buffalo area in the late 70s early 80s. In 1978 he took over as as promoter of
the Mr. Buffalo competition, and he and his son, Joe Junior, continue that tradition today. Joe was chairman of the Niagara
District of the AAU in the 70s and preceded me as chairman of the New York West district of the NPC. Joe's driving enthusiasm
for bodybuilding inspired his son, Joe Junior, to follow in his footsteps, with young Joe also winning the Mr. Buffalo, and
going on to win at the NPC national level at the NPC USA championships. Both Joe and his son continue to train every day and
continue to stay involved in our sport by judging, in addition to promoting.
It is with great pride we honor Dr.
Joe Lazzaro as we induct him into the Rochester Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Hall of Fame. Presented April 7, 2012, at the
58th annual Rochester Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure, Bikini and Physique Championships, Rochester New York.
Jim Rockell, NPC Vice President and General Secretary
Bob Chick & Max |
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MAX LILL - 2011
On June 10, 2010, the Rochester bodybuilding and weightlifting community lost one of its longtime competitors
and friends, James "Max" Lill. Max was an avid weightlifter and bodybuilder, and he loved all aspects of weight
training. He used his expertise to help young high school athletes in all sports with their strength training. With his guidance
and help, his own twin sons became exceptional high school and college athletes. In the early days of my gym, Max and I were
training partners, so I learned firsthand the intensity he brought to the iron workout floor. For Max there was no such thing
as too many sets. We brought this kind of drive to the gym every day, and he was is happiest when he was training hard.
I have no doubt in my mind that his training right now with fellow Hall of Famer Jay C Howard. They are together once
again, and I am sure that they are fighting Hall of Famer, big Frank Syracuse, for those York 45 pound plates. It seemed only
fitting that Max died doing what he loved most, helping fellow bodybuilders, and getting them ready for this very competition;
the NPC Rochester. I miss him dearly and I would be remiss for not mentioning the countless brothers and sisters who were
veterans of our Armed Forces, who also missed him for his dedication to them, as well.
Max was the face of the
Vietnam veteran, and he was the soul of the beautiful memorial he helped create for them. I'm writing this tribute to
Max on one of the very days during the year that he held so close to his heart, Memorial Day, May 30, 2011. His legacy will
live on in the hearts and minds of all of us who trained with him, knew him as a friend, and admired him as a man. For his
years of dedication and accomplishments, it is with great pride that we honor Max, as we induct him into the Rochester Bodybuilding
And Weightlifting Hall Of Fame. Presented on June 11, 2011, at the 57th annual Rochester Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure, Bikini
And Physique Championships, Rochester, New York.
Jim Rockell, NPC Vice President and General Secretary
Don Len |
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DON LEN - 2010
Don Len started bodybuilding in 1954 at 18 years of age,
but much of his stage success did not come until he was in his 40s, after raising his family. I met Don when I became involved
with competing and judging building in the Buffalo area in the late 70s and early 80s. In 1981, Don, myself and fellow Hall
of Famer, Bob Cicherillo, shared the same stage in Utica, New York, at the Natural Mr. America competition, where Don placed
second in the Masters division. During the 80s and 90s, Don competed in many NPC shows in the Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse
areas; always either winning the Masters division, or placing in the top three. Most recently Don has competed
in the Masters National Championships, in Pittsburgh, in the over 60 class. In 1998, 1999, and 2000, he came in second. In
2007 he competed and placed in the over 70 class. On February 13, 2010, Don was inducted into the Buffalo Weightlifting Hall
of Fame. Don is a great example of what the late IFBB President and founder, Ben Weider, called, "The benefits of weight
training at all ages." With over 50 years in the sport, Don is an inspiration to us all, and provides many of our area's
younger bodybuilders the motivation to train and get on the stage. For his years of dedication and accomplishments, is with
great pride that we honor Don, as we induct him into the Rochester Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Hall of Fame. Presented
June 12, 2010, at the 56th annual Rochester bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure and Bikini Championships, Rochester New York.
Jim Rockell, NPC Vice President and General Secretary
JC Howard |
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JC HOWARD - 2009
JC Howard, winner of the 1974 Mr.
Rochester title, was one of the most popular and gifted bodybuilders the Rochester area ever produced. JC passed away in February
2007, and his passing the left a void in the hearts of many of the bodybuilding community who trained worked out with him
from the early days of the old YMCA on Gibb Street, and the first years of Samsons Gym on Lyell Avenue. JC was a special friend
to us all the old Samsons. Here's never too busy to help me move equipment around or give advice to young aspiring bodybuilder.
Training with him in those early days - and with those marathon workouts - gave me a real understanding of why he had such
a great physique. In thinking about those days I would be remiss not to mention JC's long-time training partner Max Lill.
Max and JC had a special bond that created a unique friendship that transcended racial, ethnic and religious lines. I can't
think about JC without thinking about Max.
Winning several regional shows with his phenomenal frontal biceps pose,
it looked like JC'c guns were going to pop right out of the skin! JC would have easily achieved pro status in the
NPC had he continued his bodybuilding exploits. His last and most impressive win was the prestigious Canadian-American championships
in 1979. This year we we induct JC into the Rochester Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Hall of Fame. Presented June 27, 2009
at the 55th Annual Rochester Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure & Bikini Championships, Rochester New York.
Jim
Rockell, NPC VP and General Secretary
Danny Padilla |
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DANNY PADILLA - 2008
Nicknamed the "Giant Killer,"
Danny won the Rochester in 1970 and went on to win the IFBB Mr. America & Mr. Universe in 1977. He was the only bodybuilder
in history to accomplish that feat. Danny continues to train and work with upcoming champions. He is still considered by many
judges to be the most symmetrical bodybuilder ever.
Jim Rockell, NPC Vice President and General Secretary
Bob Cicherillo |
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BOB CICHERILLO -2008
As a teenager Bob Cicherillo competed in more NPC bodybuilding
competitions than any bodybuilder in the history of the NPC having won 21 Teenage titles. His teen years spent training at
"Samson's Gym" alongside bodybuilding legends Pete Grymzkowski and Danny Padilla instilled in him a desire to
train and achieve that ultimate prize, an IFBB Pro Card. In 1987 Bob won the NPC Junior Nationals and became the first bodybuilder
to grace the cover of the NPC News. Following this victory at the national level, it took Bob 13 years to finally achieve
his goal of an IFBB Pro Card by winning the overall at the 2000 NPC USA Bodybuilding Championships. Spending 6 years on the
IFBB Pro Stage he ended his bodybuilding career by winning the 2006 IFBB Masters Pro World title. Bob has continued to be
involved with bodybuilding as the IFBB Athlete Representative, co-host of the popular radio show Pro Bodybuilding Weekly,
and as the Master of Ceremonies of the annual Mr. Olympia Competition. This year we honor Bob as we induct him into the Rochester
Bodybuilding and Weigtlifting Hall of Fame. Presented June 14, 2008 at the 54th Annual Rochester Bodybuilding, Fitness and
Figure Championships, Rochester, New York.
Jim Rockell -NPC Vice President and General Secretary
CARL LONOBILE - 2008
Mr. Rochester 1956.
Carl has been training for over fifty years. He won the Rochester in 1956 and went on to have a successful career as a vitamin
and supplement dealer with the original Shaklee company. He is a living testament to the health value of weight training,
no matter what your age.
Jim Rockell, NPC Vice President and General Secretary
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Frank Siracuse |
FRANK SIRACUSE - 2007
Frank Siracuse was one of Rochester's foremost powerlifters in the decade of the 70s, going so far as to achieve
alternate status for the USA team in the Pan American games in 1979. Beginning his career in 1971, Frank won his first meet,
the Niagara District, in the old Central YMCA. Routinely benching 500 pounds and squatting with 800 pounds, Frank would amaze
me with his strength. When I opened Samson's gym In 1977, when he asked me to spot him, I never worried about the weight,
because I knew he was going to make the left. Yet, Frank was more than just a strong man, he was a true friend who would always
lend a hand when I needed it in the gym. It was a sad day when he left for California to pursue his powerlifting dreams. It
was an even sadder day when I heard of his death there in 1979. Rochester lost a mountain of a man that year, and I personally
lost a great friend. I honor my friend each year, when the men's winner of the Rochester Bodybuilding Competition has
his name eJim Rockell, NPC VP and General Secretaryngraved on Frank's memorial plaque, which hangs in my gym. But this
year I honor him in a special way by making him the first powerlifter inducted into the Rochester Bodybuilding and Weightlifting
Hall of Fame. Presented June 9, 2007 at the 53rd annual Rochester Championships, Rochester, New York.
Jim Rockell, NPC
Vice President and General Secretary
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Vince Peterson |
VINCE PETERSON - 2007
Nicknamed VIP, Vince Peterson has been competing in powerlifting for five decades.
That started his weightlifting career as a bodybuilder having one second-place finishes in both the Mr. Rochester and the
Mr. New York State contests in 1967. His first powerlifting meet was in April of that year at the old central YMCA where he
lifted in the AAU Niagara district meet. Over the course of his powerlifting career that has been an elite lifter in three
weight classes, 165, 181 and 198. He has also held national and world records in the squat and has competed in over 60 meets
having compiled 50 first place finishes. It is a great honor for me to recognize VIP, Vince Peterson, a member of Rochester's
powerlifting community, with his induction into Rochester's bodybuilding and weightlifting hall of fame. Presented June
9, 2007 at the 53rd annual Rochester bodybuilding fitness and figure championships, Rochester, New York.
Jim Rockell- NPC Vice President and General Secretary
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John Paddock |
JOHN PADDOCK - 2006
John was the moving force
behind our competition, it's posters, tickets, banners, the Hall of Fame logos and just about everything associated with
the contest for the last several years. He was my right hand man, and more importantly, my friend. John passed away in April,
2006. His spirit will live on through our competitions. Jim Rockell NPC Vice President and General Secretary
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John Wensich |
JOHN WENSICH - 2005
Inductee into the Rochester Bodybuilding Hall of Fame.
Power lifting and bodybuilding in the 1970s were synonymous with the Central YMCA on Gibbs Street in Rochester. It was here
where all the early bodybuilding shows were held following a long day of power lifting. John Wensich is the man who deserves
the credit for taking the first step in elevating local bodybuilding from just something to do after a power lifting meet,
to the stand alone sport it has become. He took bodybuilding to new levels by holding shows in auditoriums, instead of on
a gym floor, where the only light available was from a single incandescent bulb hung from a basketball hoop. John’s
resume in the sports of power lifting and bodybuilding spans an impressive 10 year period of time. John won nearly every major
power lifting title in New York State in the 198 pound class. He won the Niagara District Championships 5 years running and
achieved his AAU Masters Patch Award in 1972. Following his successful career in power lifting, John became a competitive
bodybuilder. In a 2 year span he won the Western New York title in 1975 and captured the Niagara District and Lake Ontario
titles in 1976. I met John when I joined the Y during his bodybuilding years. He was an imposing figure with one of the most
developed backs and set of legs I had ever seen. I soon learned that those body parts were a direct result of the years in
put in as a power lifter, and the heavy training he continued while bodybuilding. I am proud to say John s career strikes
me close to home. We were both teachers, competitors turned promoters, and eventually we both found a passion in the martial
arts. Still training today after nearly 40 years in the iron game, John is an inspiration to me and I look forward to seeing
him each year at these NPC Rochester Championships and the NPC Masters Nationals. John is the first recipient of this honor
who has made his mark in bodybuilding, not only as a competitor, but also as the first promoter who foresaw the future of
of our sport. His vision and his passion for bodybuilding make him a most worthy candidate as 2005’s lone entry
into the Rochester Bodybuilding hall of Fame.
Jim Rockell, NPC VP and General Secretary
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Pete Grymkowski |
PETE GRYMKOWSKI - 2004
Pete was one of the largest bodybuilders of his era competing
at over 240 pounds. After winning the Rochester title in 1968 Pete went on to win the 1972 AAU Junior Mr. USA. In 1977, as
a Pro, Pete won the Pro Mr. World title. After retiring from competition Pete bought and transformed Gold's Gym into a
Worldwide Empire. His vision took bodybuilding into the mainstream of American Culture. Jim
Rockell, NPC VP and General Secretary
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