The Worcester Historical Museum will once again honor the memory of and legacy of Harvey Ball and his world-famous creation the smiley face. The “Harvey” is presented annually to an individual, organization or group of individuals whose commitments have made a difference in the city of Worcester…and helped people throughout the community smile.

This year’s Harvey Ball Smile Award will go to Cliff Rucker to celebrate the significant work that he is doing for downtown Worcester and for bringing ECHL to Worcester with the Worcester Railers HC.

Rucker joins a long list of past recipients, all of whom have been noted for making a difference in the Worcester community. The successful North Shore business man had a passion for hockey and soon discovered that Worcester was the perfect place to expand his business opportunities and extend his roots. Soon after bringing ECHL to Worcester, he built the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center in the canal district to the delight of thousands of families; revamped an adjacent building into the Railers Tavern; and invested in the Central Exchange Building and the Palladium.

Rucker is owner of Beverly equipment leasing firm NFS Leasing and former CEO of technology firm NEXL. He is principal owner of Porzio Properties and Fulcrum FXT. He and his wife of 25 years, Susan, have five children age 13 to 21. He attended Tufts University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and international relations.

The 2018 Harvey Ball will be held on Oct. 4 at The Palladium. For more information and ticket prices, visit www.worcesterhistory.org/programs/harvey-ball/.