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" One of my greatest privileges as a member of the Delaware
County Bar Association was to present Judge Hazel with the
Award bearing his name. He has been an inspiration to so
many attorneys for his unyielding fidelity to the profession in
general and our Association in particular. "
Colleen M. Neary, Esquire
The recipients since the inception of the award
have included Hall of Famers:
2013 - Alexander A. DiSanti, Esquire
2014 - William G. Halligan, Esquire
2015 - Richard A. Mitchell, Esquire
2016 - Robert M. Firkser, Esquire
2017 - Colleen M. Neary, Esquire
2018 - Gerald C. Montella, Esquire
2019 - The Honorable Charles B. Burr, II
Love, life and the perfect game!
Judge Burr and Judge Hazel share in common a love for the
game of baseball. Both played in high school and college with
Judge Burr at second base and Judge Hazel at third.
Both dreamed of Major League Baseball careers. In fact,
Judge Burr tried out for three major league teams; the Pittsburgh
Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals and the former New York Giants.
He's a " Phanatic! " With the exception of the year 2020,
Judge Burr has attended every Opening Day for the Philadelphia
Phillies for 40+ years, from Vet Stadium to Citizen's Bank Park.
" On many occasions, you could find Judge Burr in the
hallways on the 3rd floor of the Courthouse having a catch
with his best friend Frank Hazel. Both were frustrated major
league ball players, " says Carmen P. Belefonte, Esquire.
Stephen H. Palmer, Esquire, reflects, " but their softball games
at the Annual Bench Bar Conference were epic! "
All in the spirit of camaraderie, together, Judge Hazel (Head
Coach) and Judge Burr played every year in the legendary
softball games at the Annual Bench Bar Conferences of the
DCBA ... The Harmless Errors v. The Constant Continuances!
" May your every at bat be a home run. "
The Honorable Stephen J. McEwen, Jr., former District Attorney
of Delaware County and retired Appellate Court Judge.
Judge Burr explains, " We must accept challenges as
opportunities and add levity to diffuse situations. Our
decisions affect lives emotionally and financially. We must
" Between every pitch, we want the next ball to come to us.
We are not afraid to take responsibility, " states Judge Burr. " On
the playing field however, when that next ball came to Hazel, he
used his nose, I used a glove. " Short story: " Judge Hazel played
college ball for St. Joseph's University. One season, where St.
Joe's played a team in Harrisburg, Judge Hazel 'took that next
ball' responsibly with his nose and was rushed to the ER. Here is
where it gets funny ... The very same bloody mess happened the
following season: same team; same field; Hazel, the same third
baseman; same trip to the ER; same doctor, who after two years
in a row posed a valid question ... 'Does this team of yours give
you a glove to play?' "
What started with a mutual respect for one another grew
to a loyal, lasting friendship. Together, they share a special
brotherhood, a prodigious sense of humor. Both miss the law
indubitably, but both genuinely miss the camaraderie, the laughs,
the many good times.
" Their obvious connection to one another stems from a joint
sense of devotion to the law, to people and their innate desire to
better their friends and community. That, and their shared and
irrepressible inventory of boundless energy. "
David E. Robbins, Esquire
In short (you KNEW we had to go there), it cannot be
questioned that Judge Burr and Judge Hazel offer living proof
that greatness is not a destination; it is a continuous and
unending journey! *
be compassionate and understanding with an unwavering
commitment to do the right thing. "
" We don't make things we sell, " states Judge Hazel. " When
we do something, we affect the quality of lives, we therefore
strive for excellence. "
As in the game of baseball, a player's commitment to
excellence requires preparedness, a strong sense of work ethic
and resilience, the readiness to play literally, every day. Baseball
requires concentration, the ability to focus, and lightning-fast
reflexes in order to make instant decisions. Three-tenths of a
second is all the time a hitter has to decide whether to swing at a
pitch. Humility is a must.
" Spending time with Judges Burr and Hazel is unforgettable.
Individually, they are funny beyond compare, but together
they are unstoppable. Neither can stop the other from taking
sarcastic jabs at one another! "
Stephen H. Palmer, Esquire
Spring 2021 | 15
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