Nutley Hall Of Fame Will Induct 11 New Local Legends: Meet The Class Of 2026

NUTLEY, NJ — A new class of 11 local legends are about to be enshrined as the latest members of the Nutley Hall of Fame.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Nutley Hall of Fame will induct 11 new members at a ceremony from 6 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at Nanina’s in the Park.

Here’s who is joining the hall this year:

• Dennis P. Colin (1942–2015), a 1960 graduate of Nutley High School, was an accomplished electrical engineer and innovator in electronic music. As Director of Advanced Research and Development Engineering at ARP Instruments, he helped design groundbreaking ARP synthesizers and later designed the Aries 300 Synthesizer. His patented innovations influenced musicians, engineers, and researchers for decades.
• Vito Cucci, a 1975 graduate of Nutley High School, is a successful entrepreneur and leader in New Jersey’s restaurant and hospitality industry, helping develop premier venues including Nanina’s in the Park. An accomplished horse owner and breeder, he co-owns Dornoch, winner of the 2024 Belmont and Haskell Stakes, and has received numerous honors for his business leadership, community service, and philanthropy.
• Michael C. Gabriele, a 1971 graduate of Nutley High School, has devoted more than 50 years to journalism, the arts, and civic engagement. A former editor of The Nutley Sun and author of five books on New Jersey history, he has also contributed extensively to numerous cultural, historical, and arts organizations.
• Ralph E. “Rusty” Heinzen (1893–1986) was a longtime Nutley resident and distinguished journalist whose career spanned major events of the 20th century. A longtime United Press foreign correspondent, he reported from Europe on events including World War I, Charles Lindbergh’s historic transatlantic flight, and the founding of the United Nations before later becoming involved in local Nutley-area journalism.
• Thomas “Tom” Maoli, a 1980 graduate of Nutley High School, is a successful entrepreneur whose career spans global logistics, automotive dealerships, and major real estate development. He is also a philanthropist, radio host, award-winning vintage automobile collector, and, in 2026, was appointed to the United States Department of Transportation Advisory Board.
• Barry Maurillo, a 1974 graduate of Nutley High School, is a successful entrepreneur and restaurateur who helped develop premier New Jersey hospitality venues including Nanina’s in the Park, The Park Savoy Estate, and Park Château Estate & Gardens. A dedicated community supporter, he has served in Nutley youth sports and is a longtime board member and supporter of the Cheer Me Up Foundation.
• Joseph Maurillo, a 1982 graduate of Nutley High School, is a successful entrepreneur, restaurateur, and philanthropist who helped develop Nanina’s in the Park, The Park Savoy Estate, and Park Château Estate & Gardens. He is also President of IMAC Insurance Agency and founder of the Cheer Me Up Foundation, which supports sick, special needs, and disadvantaged children and families.
• Dave Popkin, a longtime Nutley resident, is an award-winning sportscaster, community leader, music journalist, and businessman. Named the 2024 New Jersey Sportscaster of the Year, he has called more than 2,000 games, including more than 700 Seton Hall men’s basketball games, while also helping raise millions of dollars for charitable causes.
• Baron Raymonde, a longtime Nutley resident and educator, is an accomplished professional saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist who has performed with artists including Rod Stewart, Levon Helm, Little Steven, and Gloria Gaynor. A member of the New York Blues Hall of Fame, he has also devoted more than two decades to educating and mentoring Nutley students.
• Christian Sebek, a longtime Nutley resident, is an accomplished opera and Broadway performer, vocal educator, and community advocate. Best known for more than 1,600 performances as Ubaldo Piangi in Broadway’s The Phantom of the Opera, he continues to teach young performers and perform with his sons as The Sebek Tenors in support of charitable causes.
• Connie Brown Siskowski, RN, PhD, a 1964 graduate of Nutley High School, is a nationally recognized advocate and pioneer in supporting children and adolescents who serve as family caregivers. Founder of the American Association of Caregiving Youth, her work has earned honors including recognition as a CNN Hero, an Ashoka Fellow, and recipient of the Purpose Prize.

The hall of fame was established in 2001 and has become one of Nutley’s most prestigious and respected honors. Candidates must have been born in Nutley, lived in the community for at least ten years, or graduated from Nutley High School.

Inductees are recognized for achievements at the state, national and/or international level that have “brought pride to the Nutley community.”

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