The tradition of selecting a Person of the Year began in 1999, when I.F. officers decided to recognize a person each year whose actions positively and noticably impacted the sport. At the end of each year, we select a “Person of the Year" and tell their story in the annual Sky-Talk magazine.

This honor may be bestowed on any person deemed fit by the I.F. board, who is nominated by an I.F. member. The honoree does not necessarily have to be an I.F. member themselves. Non-members have been selected for the honor of "Person of the Year" when appropriate due to their contributions to the sport. This Award does include a prize as well as the honorary title. Many admirable people have been, and are still contributing to this sport of ours. Big names in our sport who frequent the top of the race sheets, such as Mr. Joe Quinn, have been granted the title. This year’s winner is less well-known, but, has contributed to our sport for many years as you will hear.

James Dalessio, 2005 Person of the Year
Each year the I.F. awards the "Person of the Year” distinction to a hard working member of the Pigeon Racing Community. We’re excited and pleased to announce this year’s recipient is James Dalessio of Toms River, NJ, founder of a family of birds called the "Jersey Blues”.

Jim is a retired Jersey City Firefighter. Since retirement, he has worked as a mason part time. Mr. Dalessio flew his first race in 1949 in Jersey City, NJ. He was President of the Toms River Club twice, consisting of 27 members. He has been racing at his Toms River loft since 1973, after a 10-year hiatus. Currently Jim is the 3rd Vice President of the I.F. and one of his responsibilities is the 'lost bird' coordinator. He races his pigeons in the Central Jersey Combine, which is the largest combine in the United States.
Jim has had pigeons for most of his life or close to 50 years with the exception of a 10-12 years break. His pigeon experience also involved the show circuit.

Through the show community, he was exposed to many pigeons that were discarded, often only because they could no longer compete at a certain level. These were pigeons that had given so much to their owners. Their inability to compete was frequently resulted from their handling during their show career. When no longer competitors, these birds were cast off and sent "down the road," to some undetermined fate. Jim has also seen this in the Racing community as well, and he has gone out of his way to find new homes for these birds.

This was Jim’s inspiration to institute the I.F. program of returning lost birds throughout the USA, using the website and creating a network of pigeon flyers willing to help. Early on in his life, he was exposed to a many rescue situations, and he worked on his own to return numerous pigeons throughout the country. When a pigeon is lost, often due to no fault of his own, Jim feels that bird deserves a helping hand returning home. He brought his ideas of providing assistance to lost pigeons to the I.F. Board, and the position of “lost bird coordinator” for the I.F. was established with Jim stepping up to fill the bill. He is a key point of contact, acting not only to help return lost birds, but also as a positive public relations person for the sport, dealing with both pigeon-people and non-pigeon people alike.

Jim took the positive feedback received on the website to mean: "we are doing the right thing and that we were destined to be here." Jim stated, "We researched pigeon rescue extensively, and we attempted to create a program that would be unique in the rescue and rehabilitation of pigeon in need. I think that we have accomplished that." Jim’s affiliations with other reputable organizations across the country have returned many a pigeon to its home.

We find people often underestimate the value of the relationship fanciers have with their birds. It is not just about racing. Often a pigeon has a special meaning to a fancier or a member of his family. The loss of one bird may be devastating to a flyer. With the help and dedication of James Dalessio, many a bird has made its way home again.

Jim has also earned accolades for his dedication to promoting the pigeon sport with young people. He has worked for years with the 4-H, where he continues to inspire young people with his Jersey Blues family of pigeons. He never turns away from an opportunity to help a new fancier get started in the sport. If there is a showcase for the sport, Jim is there.

He has given of his time and his birds to introduce the sport to the uninitiated, such as the days he spent at the Pet Expo in Philadelphia last year, where his beautiful white fantail pigeon was a tremendous hit with the kids.

The I.F wants to recognize Jim as a person who has gone out of his way for the organization and the, continuously doing what ever was needed at the time, without complaint. The affects of his leadership in the sport will be with us all for years to come. If everyone gave just a little of what Jim has given to the sport, it would really make a difference in the future of the Racing Pigeon sport.

The award of Person of the Year is not for his racing or show accomplishments, but for his "leadership." To say Jim has a true love of pigeons and people is an understatement. Jim’s life long inspiration of creating a special place for the pigeon has no doubt impacted the lives of many pigeons and people.

It is with great pride that the I.F. honors James Dalessio as our 2005 Person of the Year.

Congratulations, Jim!

Respectfully submitted and edited by

Paul Walsh
Grace Mehl