Nelson Zide, Rotarian of the Year

When Nelson Zide was named Framingham Rotarian of the Year, he was struck a bit speechless — which came as a surprise to fellow Rotary members when Zide was asked to say a few words.

“When I left the stage, they said, ‘Wait a minute — you never speak only a few words,’” Zide said. “I was really pleased — I was sort of shocked — but really pleased about it, that my fellow Rotarians decided to honor me.”

The Rotary Club of Framingham is celebrating its 100th year this year. Its Rotarian of the Year award is given out to members in good standing who are committed to the Rotarian mantra, "Service Above Self."

Zide has lived in Framingham for nearly 50 years and has been doing business in the community for more than 40. He founded, built up and eventually sold his own real estate company. Since then, he has worked for ERA Key Realty Services of Northbridge, selling more than 1,000 homes while working from the company’s Framingham office.

But he’s fairly humble about being honored, and he says being part of the Rotary has helped him help his community.

I really have enjoyed their goal and their focus, which is always to do things for the local community and raise money for the local community,” Zide said. “I just do my thing. I go out, I help when they need help, I volunteer for things I could volunteer for.”

Joanie Zide, his wife of almost 50 years, said Nelson has always been a role model for their children and their family.

“He does so much for other people and for the Rotary — and I was so proud of him,” for winning the award, she said. “He gives so much to others and little for himself — that’s what he does. He puts others above himself all the time.”

Nelson Zide has volunteered for the Rotary Craft show — which he hopes will be back next year — and took over organizing a popular fishing for prizes activity this year.

The activity is called "Duck Pluck," and it's geared for young children, he explained.

"But I think adults like it just as much — a little fishing rod, and they pluck for ducks and win a prize,” he said.

Although he's Jewish, Zide has played the role of Santa Claus at Christmas for young children enrolled in the Head Start program. It’s a task he took on with great enthusiasm — and a resounding greeting of “Oy vey, oy vey, ho, ho, ho,” he said.

He’s also on the Rotary’s education committee, which this year awarded $4,000 scholarships to 15 students from Framingham and surrounding towns. He also helped organize building a playhouse for a veteran's family, which was co-sponsored by ERA Key Realty Services.

“He can work well and get along with all types of people, and I think that’s important, too, for the Rotary, because you’re working with a club of all different ages, different people,” Joanie Zide said. “He’s able to get along with everyone.”

Zide has been a Rotary member for about two decades — although initially he had to wait to join.

“Back then, they only allowed one person in one type of job and they already had a Realtor,” Zide said. But he jumped at the opportunity when that Realtor retired because “I really felt it was something that was worthwhile for me to do.”

There are no longer business-specific restrictions for membership. The Rotary Club of Framingham meets at 12:15 p.m. on Mondays at the Plymouth Church Parish Hall, 87 Edgell Road. Zide said all are welcome to join.