Robert Fristachi, a 2015 Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) Hall of Fame inductee, recently received Con Edison’s highest honor, the Living Our Values award, for his countless years of community service.

He began working at the company in 1973 as a checker in the office services/information processing department. Now over 42 years later, he is an electrical designer, creating design construction drawings that support multiple company projects.

Fristachi’s tenure in CYO began in 1962 as a basketball and baseball player at St. Robert Bellarmine, Bayside. He coached at the parish when he was just 13 years old and later served as parish athletic representative.

He moved to Our Lady of the Snows, North Floral Park, in 1991 – a parish that did not have a CYO program. The program started under the direction of Mike McGovern, and Fristachi was one of the first basketball coaches, which he still does today.

He served as athletic director at Our Lady of the Snows from 2006 to 2012. He has coached his stepsons Michael and Christopher, his daughter Cristina and his nephews Joseph, Antonio and Giancarlo.

“He (Fristachi) is truly an inspiration to all of us,” said Frank Fonseca, Fristachi’s co-worker at Con Edison. “Once you know Bobby, you will never forget him.”