The Waterloo Library and Historical Society has named longtime community volunteer James “Jim” Patsos Jr. as the 2026 recipient of the Henry C. Welles Award.
The annual award honors individuals who reflect the spirit and dedication to community service exemplified by Henry C. Welles, recognized as the founder of Memorial Day.
Patsos will be honored during an award ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Friday in Fatzinger Hall at the Waterloo Library & Historical Society. The event will also serve as the kickoff to Waterloo’s Celebrate Commemorate Memorial Day weekend activities.
According to the Waterloo Library & Historical Society, Patsos has spent decades volunteering throughout the Waterloo community and Seneca County. After moving to Waterloo at age 18 and attending Cornell University, Patsos returned to the area to operate his family’s Beltavern Farm in Junius alongside his late wife, Deb, while raising their five children.
Over the years, Patsos served as a 4-H leader for 35 years, worked as a Waterloo Little League board member and umpire for eight years, and held leadership roles with the Seneca County Farm Bureau. He also served as a church elder for the Church of Latter Day Saints and volunteered with organizations including the Seneca County Bereavement Support Group, the Community Christmas Project, and Trevor’s Backpack Project.
Even in retirement, Patsos remains active in the community, often helping transport Amish residents for work and other needs.
In a statement released by the organization, Patsos said he was “honored, happy, and humbled” to receive the award and dedicated the recognition to his late wife.
Waterloo Library & Historical Society Board President Coreen Lowry praised Patsos for his longtime commitment to serving others.
“It is a privilege to be able to recognize someone so deserving yet as humble as Jim,” Lowry said.
