A Conroe restaurateur and businessman known for his generosity and support of first responders has been named the city’s 2025 Citizen of the Year.
The award was presented to Joe Haliti, founder of Joe’s Italian Restaurant in Conroe, at Saturday’s Isaac Conroe Founder’s Day at the town namesake’s original homestead in the city. Haliti has operated the Conroe restaurant for 19 years and has given away tens of thousands of meals during holidays and natural disasters.
Here’s what to know about the annual celebration, Haliti and other honors presented Saturday.
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What is Isaac Conroe Founder’s Day?
Isaac Conroe was born in Long Branch, New Jersey, in 1835. While his birth date is unknown, it is certain he was born in the month of February. After mustering out of the Civil War as a Union captain, Conroe operated a lumber mill in the area before it was known as Conroe. He rode the train up from Houston and his stop became known as Conroe’s Switch, later shortened to Conroe.
He established a home at Avenue A and First Street and today a historical marker denotes the property’s place in history.
When the county seat was moved to Conroe in the late 1800s, his home held the county’s records until a courthouse was completed in Conroe in 1891. Conroe was also the town’s first postmaster.
He died of a presumed heart attack in August 1897 at age 62. The founder’s day celebration began in 2018. It was originally held in August but the extreme heat forced a move to February. The Feb. 11 date was rained out and this year’s event took place Saturday.
Conroe businesswoman Lyn Howard and her committee of volunteers head up the annual event that takes place at Conroe’s homestead on Avenue A. Other Founder’s Day board members include Lauren Arnold, Shana Arthur, Elaine Collings, DeAndre Guin Sr., Rebecca Nash and Margie Taylor.
Who is Joe Haliti?
Haliti arrived in New Jersey in the late 1980s as an immigrant from the Southern European country of Albania. He began working in Haliti family restaurants upon arriving in the U.S.
In 2005, a customer at a former Haliti restaurant in Dallas told him of a shortcut he could take through Conroe when traveling to visit family in Beaumont. Haliti took a couple of wrong exits in Conroe and came across a property for sale or lease. It would be where Joe’s Italian would eventually open in February 2006.
Haliti became known for his generosity and developed a following among local law enforcement and first responders. After Hurricane Harvey floods devastated fellow Conroe restaurateur Buster Bowers’ Vernon’s Kuntry Fried Katfish in 2017, Haliti hosted a benefit to help him rebuild. He has since given away meals for holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving and during natural disasters.
In October 2020, he hit his goal to serve 50,000 free meals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now with more than 81,000 meals given away his next goal is 100,000 donated meals. He also participated in a trip to bring supplies to Uvalde following a school shooting at Robb Elementary in May 2022.
In recent years, Haliti has also launched the energy drink, Bomber Energy with business partner Jerry Nash. The energy drink has a patriotic theme.
Haliti said he was shocked by the honor.
“Thank you for the support and the love that you guys have shown us,” he told those gathered. “We’re looking forward to serving this city for many years to come.”
The nominees were narrowed down to three finalists prior to Saturday. Also up for the honor were current Conroe City Councilwoman Marsha Porter and longtime support of the arts in Conroe Annette Spikes.
Previous recipients of the Citizen of the Year were historian Larry Foerster in 2022 and Susie Pokorski, founder of the Young Texas Artists music competition in 2023 and 2024.
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Other honors bestowed Saturday
Event organizers also presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Conroe’s queen of the airwaves Mary McCoy. McCoy will mark 74 years on the radio in Conroe in April.
At age 12, Mary began working at Conroe’s first radio station, KMCO, under the management of Jimmy Dorrell. In 2023, she was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records for holding the title of “World’s Longest Career as a Radio Presenter/DJ (Female).”
Four posthumous awards were presented Saturday as well. The following individuals who died in 2024 were honored and a gift was accepted by their family members.
• Dennis Watson – He was a longtime Montgomery County judge and supporter many local organizations.
• Former Conroe Mayor Carter Moore – Moore served as Conroe’s mayor from 1991 to 2004 advancing the city greatly in this time.
• Pat Spackey – Spackey was the great-great-great granddaughter of the designer of the Texas flag, Charles B. Stewart. She participated in various heritage societies and historical presentations. She was known as “the picture lady” always quick with her camera to capture the moment.
• Tony Gullo – The Montgomery County car dealer was known for his lifelong passion for cars and his generosity in the community, especially toward children with his annual children’s Christmas event.
The 2026 event has been set for Feb. 28.
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