County judge honored as Rotarian of the Year
Timothy McCune had no idea what was coming.
The longtime Butler County Common Pleas Court Judge was surprised when Stuart Surkosky announced him as the 2020 Rotarian of the Year for the Butler AM Rotary during the club's annual meeting Tuesday night.
“I think we've done a lot of good for our community,” McCune said of the group on accepting the award.
McCune, who has served on the bench since 2006, has been an active member of the Rotary for 12 years. In addition to heading up the civic organization's annual flower garden at the intersection of New Castle Road and Hansen Avenue, he also volunteers for several other community service projects organized by the club — including the Ghost & Giggles comedy show fundraiser, Carved in Ice Festival and roadside cleanup projects.
“I have great admiration for Judge McCune,” said Surkosky, who was the 2019 Rotarian of the Year. “He has truly shown service above self.”
McCune said that when he was looking to join a civic organization, Butler AM Rotary stood out for him after he read about the group's work to raise money and build the Kids' Zone Purple Playground at Alameda Park, which caught his attention. He said he was impressed by the dedication of a small group of people committed to raising money and then constructing the playground themselves.
Surkosky said McCune is always one of the first members of the club to volunteer his time and talent to help with local community service projects.
“It's a humbling experience to be recognized for the things you would normally do to help others,” Surkosky said of the award.
A Butler native, McCune started his career in Akron after graduating from the University of Akron School of Law in 1981. He and his wife of nearly 39 years, Patricia, returned to Butler County in 1982 to raise their family when he accepted a position as an assistant district attorney.
Prior to his election to the Butler County Court of Common Pleas in 2006, McCune served as the county's district attorney from 1996 to 2005, and as a partner in the law firm of Marshall, McNamee, MacFarlane, McCune & Rauschenberger.
“My dad is one of the most selfless people I know,” McCune's son, Matt, said. “It's deserved. It's something he really takes seriously. You lead by example.”
Matt McCune said his father was always one to put his family and community first. He recalled fondly how even as a busy private practice attorney, Tim McCune still made time for being involved in his sports and school activities.
He also remembers his father's commitment to bettering his community through involvement in service activities and organizations like Rotary.
“He falls into the category of 'The world would be a better place if there were more people like him,'” Matt McCune said of his dad.
Also during the meeting, the club elected its new officers and board for the upcoming year. The officers include Steven Green, president; Jordan Grady, president elect; Audrianna Bly, vice president; Heather Mullen, secretary; Peggy Weckerly, treasurer; Jeff Geibel, sergeant at arms; Kenny Bonus, past president; and board members Dena Martinez, Allen Hassler, Joyce Cully, Janet Barber, Sue Slater, Andy Menchyk and Beth Glew.
