Boy Scouts honor Dewey’s Pires

Dewey businessman Alex Pires posed a question as he accepted the Sussex County Distinguished Citizen Award from the Del-Mar-Va Council, Boy Scouts of America.

“I’m sure you’re all wondering how does this old, white-haired guy have anything to do with Scouts?” he mused at the Oct. 23 dinner at the Clubhouse at Baywood Greens.

Pires said he looked into qualities embodied by the Boy Scouts and matched his own traits against them.

“I’m trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly. Courteous? I’m not at all courteous. I have no patience, my friends will tell you that,” he said to a roomful of laughter.

“I’m kind. Obedient? Not at all. We’re Pires, we’re not joiners. I’m cheerful, but thrifty? I can waste money like something you’ve never seen. I’ll piss it all away,” he said, begging pardon for the expression.

“Brave?” He continued. “Somewhat. I’m half-brave. I was in the military so I know the difference. Clean? I take four to five showers a day. I am the national award-winner for cleanliness. Reverent? That’s someone who feels or shows great respect. I’m not that. So I had 8 out of 12. I’d probably get a B in Boy Scouts.”

Pires said while he does not quite fit the Boy Scouts mold, he wanted to help them out. Pires said he contacted friends and fellow business owners to ask for contributions to the Boy Scouts.

Event Co-chair John Brady said more than $50,000 was raised for the Scouts this year through award-dinner sponsorships.

“I’m very grateful for the award, and I hope next year they don’t break my fundraising effort,” Pires laughed, before offering a few words of parting advice to young Scouts.

“Don’t be embarrassed about who you are or where you came from,” he said. “You’re perfect the way you are. Play all your cards and be who you are. It’s easier for you, and you can help more people.”

Pires said to be a good neighbor, friend, parent or spouse, sometimes you need to do things you otherwise would not want to do.

“And that’s OK, too,” he said. “When you get up every day, you should give it your best. Give it your A game every day, and you’ll feel better about yourself.”

Pires told the audience he would he happy to help any of them with his time, money or words of encouragement.

Diane Cooley, Pires’ wife, said while those who know her husband know he is no Boy Scout, he embodies traits of a true leader.

“He has courage of conviction, and he fiercely and fearlessly stands up for what he believes in,” she said. “He doesn’t care if it’s popular. He only cares if it’s right.”

Cooley recounted the tens of thousands of farmers across America Pires helped recover more than $4 billion in class-action lawsuits.

“But winning isn’t everything,” she said. “He stands as tall in defeat as he does in victory. There’s no shame in losing, only in not trying. Alex doesn’t help people to be thanked. He does it because it’s the right thing to do. And that’s the truest and most sincere form of generosity.”

Brady cited a General Assembly tribute to Pires that recognized his service, leadership and involvement in community organizations.

Pires began his career in the Lands Division of the Department of Justice, representing the United States in seven western states, including Alaska. After moving to the Anti-Trust Division, he was principal litigator in the task force that prosecuted the break up of AT&T in 1980.

In 1989, Pires founded Highway One LLC, followed by Community Bank Delaware in 2006. He is president of Community Matters Foundation, which raises money through promotional events and donates proceeds to Sussex County charities.