Kevin "Quack" Quackenbush, Harry Pickering (1929-2019),
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About 2019 Honorary Mayor Candidate Kevin "Quack" Quackenbush I was born in Groton, MA the oldest of three children. My parents are John Joseph and Jayne (Lucas) Quackenbush (deceased). My wife Penny and I have two adult children: daughter Katie Gordon in Southern Ct. who has blessed them with two grandsons Daniel and Qaiden, now young teens, and son Joshua, who recently purchased a home in Wareham.
Community service : I am President-elect of the Middleboro Rotary, a Tutor with School on Wheels working with Transitional Homeless kids, a Mentor to Boys in two different schools in Foxboro and Norfolk, a board member of New England Coalition for Homeless, board member of Middleboro Cultural Council, board member of Networking Group USA/Taunton-Raynham chapter, a member of the FoMC – Friends of Middleborough Cemeteries, and supporter of Middleboro MagicMarkers Ultimate (Frisbee) team (twice State Champs in first five years!). Candidates much choose an “Honorary Deputy Mayor” running-mate, a deceased person from Middleborough’s past, and campaign with this person. Quack chose Harry Pickering (1946-2019), and submitted this biography: I first met Mr. Pickering when son Joshua attended Middleborough Park Department programs as a youth, and continued his acquaintance when later Joshua was offered a job with the Park Dept., which he held for nine years. It was always a pleasure to chat with Harry, be it at the Park, a town event, at Fair on the Green, or most recently at the Rotary clubs vocational Excellence award dinner for Tim Holick, an award which Harry also received in November 2008. Even having chatted with Harry numerous times, I was surprised to learn recently just how involved he was in so many aspects of our community. Born in Dedham, MA Harry was the son of Irving and Mary (Cluff ) Pickering. He attended school at Hyde Park High School and received degrees from Boston State Teachers College and Suffolk University. He also served in the US Marine Corp Reserves from 1950-52 and the US Army from 1953-55. In June 1954, Harry married the girl who had captured his heart since he was 13, Jane Cluff. In 1956 they moved to Middleboro where Harry started his career in education. He taught industrial arts and math at the Middleboro Junior High School, and later served for 11 years as Vice Principal of the Middleboro Junior High School, and was instrumental in forming the school's guidance department. Harry also spent years as the Principal of the A.F. Hunt school in Bridgewater, before ending his career in education in Bridgewater at the Williams Middle School. Harry and Jane raised their family here in Middleboro, sons Joel and Seth, and daughter Bethany. They were married happily for almost 60 years before Jane died in April 2014. Harry had an affinity for children, and they for him. When looking at the children during his time as an educator, he would see their potential. Upon retiring, he assumed the role, for more than 10 years, of Park Superintendent at Pierce Playground. It may not be overstating to suggest that Harry drew his energy from the children who enjoyed the summer programs at "the park”. Harry’s dedication to children lives on in many individuals. He inspired my son Josh, first as an attendee and then as an employee of the Park, and Josh works with the youth of Middleboro still. Harry’s community service activities were many and varied ... e.g. serving on the Middleboro School Committee for 17 years, being involved with the efforts to preserve the Oliver Mill Park and assisting with the organizing of the Middleboro Christmas Parade. He also served on a variety of building committees which included the renovations / construction of various schools in Middleboro - the John T. Nichols Middle School and the Memorial Early Childhood Center. This is but a short list of Harry’s contributions to Middleboro. Harry is remembered as always a good natured man, who met you with a twinkle in his eyes. Regardless of how your day was going when you stopped to chat with Harry, you walked away with a smile. Thank you Harry, for everything you did for our town and community, and our youth … and, for those smiles you shared. Candidates must also choose a “Supported Cause or Organization”, an entity which improves Middleborough’s future, and campaign with this entity as well. Quack chose to promote the "Middleboro Rotary & Rotary Educational Assistance Program”, & he explains why: I have chosen is the Middleboro Rotary and REAP program (Rotary Educational Assistance Program), which our Rotary funds yearly, almost exclusively through the Rotary’s March Cable Auction. REAP, also known in our elementary schools as the Rotary Rays, is a very successful tutoring program, assisting children with both Math and English. The Rotary is a small group of individuals dedicated to community service in many forms, and especially education. I am very involved in supporting kids in many ways, and so the REAP program is an excellent choice as a cause. I encourages you to learn more about the REAP program and, the Middleboro Rotary club. Please visit us Wednesday evenings @ 6:15 p.m. at the Fireside Grille and/or “Ask Quack” ! |