| Several years ago I started writing an auto-biography, but only got as far as my military years. I do have a web site at http://www.angelfire.com/ma/ronspage , and below you’ll find a basic resume. I list the resume because it contains a vast number of things to which I’ve devoted my life, and therefore tells much about my professional and personal interests. That being said, Jeanne has asked that I do some more personal stuff on here, so here goes: |
| My grandparents, on both sides were Acadian descendants,
and came down from Nova Scotia in the late 1800’s as youngsters. My mother’s
family, the Forrests (from Arichat) settled in Gloucester, and the Prejeans
settled in East Boston. The
Forrests later moved to East Boston. My father’s family, the Fougeres came directly to Braintree (from Havre Boucher, in Antigonish County, where they were given land grants from George III, in 1800) where my grandfather’s uncle, John King (Roy), had settled, along with many other Fougeres. My father’s mother, a Lavandier, had settled in Rockland (all locations in Massachusetts), and later moved to Braintree. The Fougeres had originally settled in Arichat, the same place as the Forests, and the Prejeans were from Lower L’Ardoise. My mother met my father at a dance and ultimately they settled in Braintree. |
| I was born in Braintree, and upon graduation from high school had no idea what I wanted to do, so I joined the US Air Force, quickly learning that the officers had a much better life. Deciding that I should have gone to college in order to enjoy that "better life," I immediately enrolled at Arkansas State College, Arkansas being where I had been assigned. During my stay at Arkansas I had an opportunity to travel to such places as Labrador, Greenland, England, Spain, Portugal, and a few other places in between. In my last year in the Service, I was sent to Viet-Nam. The fact of being in a war zone was offset by the fact that I was in Saigon, and very much enjoyed the life in the Paris of the Orient . It gave me an opportunity to relearn some of my forgotten French language. With the exception of a few bombings, now and then, and nearly being killed a couple of times, I found Saigon and interesting and enjoyable place. While there I also had an opportunity to travel to Guam, the Philipines, Thailand, Hong Kong, and a few other locations. |
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Upon discharge from the Air Force, I continued going to school, and working. My first job was at Paine, Webber, Jackson & Curtis for a couple of years. I then had a couple of other jobs and finally settled in the non-profit management field. All other information can be found on my web site or in
the resume below, with the exception of my immediate family. Since I only
claim to be 39, some of that is difficult to explain. Some of you have
met my wife, who while involved in some community and arts oriented things
wishes to remain anonymous and doesn’t like
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I had always been very interested in antiques, which leads me to believe that my interest in genealogy was a natural progression. My interest in genealogy began shortly after I was married. Sadly only one grandparent was alive at that time, and she died three months after I was married. Fortunately I was able to obtain a number of that particular family photographs, but much information was pretty much lost forever as my parents couldn’t understand my interest in "dead people!" And that’s how it all began. |
| Here you will find a simplified professional resume. Some genealogical and personal interest may be found at my web-site listed at the bottom of this page. |
| RESUME
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
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ACADEMIC Quincy College, Quincy, MA: (with honors), 1973. Further studies at Arkansas State College and the University of Maryland. Graduate of the Institute for Organization Management at the University of Delaware. Completed and conducted many specialized management courses and seminars. PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS (Current activities in bold type) Registered Legislative Agent - 1970-83 American Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives - 1970-83 Mass. Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives - 1968-83, Legislative Committee, 1977-83, Chairman - 1978, 1980, 1981 New England Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives - 1979-83 Mass. Governors Task Force for Employment of Veterans - 1979 Mass. Commission Against Discrimination, South Shore Advisory Council: 1969-78 New England Council, Public Affairs Council - 1976-83 South Shore Business and Industry PAC, Clerk - 1977-83 Public Affairs Council, Washington, D. C. - 1978-83 Economic Education Council of Massachusetts, Tufts University: Trustee, 1980-83 Committee Opposed to Mandated Health Benefits - 1980-83 Executive Officers Council, N.A.H.B. - 1983-90 American Society of Association Executives - 1984-90 Mass. Housing Finance Agency Task Force on Single Family Construction - 1986-90 Bay State Historical League, Board of Directors - 1995, Treasurer - 1996-present New England Museum Association - 1993-present American Association of Museums - 1993-present CIVIC AND SOCIAL United States Air Force: Enlisted, honorable discharge. Served in the United States, Europe and Viet-Nam Braintree Town Finance Committee: Member and Secretary - 1977-79, Legislative Chairman - 1978-79 Braintree Town Meeting Member: Elected, 1978 - present Braintree Proposition 2 1/2 Study Committee, Vice Chairman: Appointed, 1980. Braintree Municipal Employees Health Insurance Study Committee, Vice Chairman, Appointed, 1985 Braintree Historical/Historic District Commission, Chairman: Appointed, 1992 - present Penniman School P.T.O.: Various offices, 1976-1979, President, 1978-79 Braintree Historical Society: Life Member: V.P., 1972-74; President, 1974-76; Director, 1976-79; Treasurer, 1979-93; Investment Chairman, 1980-1999 Quincy Historical Society: 1977-90 Captain Robert Bennet Forbes House Trust: Life Member since 1983; Treasurer, 1986-92; Chairman, 1992-1995; Investment Committee, 1990 - 1997 (Chair 1990-95) Board and various committees to 1997 Braintree Mens Club: 1975-present; various offices held; President - 1983, Music Director 1995-1999 Caritas Communities, Inc.: Board of Directors, 1988-90 Braintree Savings Bank: Elected Corporator, 1980-90 Y.M.C.A.: Nominating Committee, 1977 Friends of the Thayer Public Library: 1974-present Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: 1979-81 Quincy College Alumni Association: Director, 1982-84 American Legion: 1991-present Buten Museum of Pennsylvania: 1974-84 (its closing) Wedgwood Society of Boston: Life Member: Dir. 1987-79; P.R. Chair, 1978-79; V.P., 1979-81; President, 1981-83; Advisory Council, 1983-present, Dir. 1994; Treasurer, 1994-1999 Wedgwood Society of New York: Life Member since 1988 Acadian Genealogy Exchange: Member, 1985-present Acadian Cultural Society: Life Member since 1990; Editorial Board, 1991-present; Financial Advisor, 1992-present; Vice President, 1994-present, Investment Chairman, 2000-present Knights of Columbus, Braintree Council and Cardinal O’Connell 4th Degree Saint Francis of Assisi Church Choir, formerly a member of the Parish Council South Shore YMCA |
| AWARDS, HONORS AND OTHER
Listed in Outstanding Young Men of America (Award) 1980. Listed in Strathmore’s Who’s Who 1999-2000. Listed in the National Register’s Who’s Who, Executives and Professionals, 2001. Recipient in 1985, 1986, 1987 of the Association Executive Achievement Award of N.A.H.B., for having developed the best membership sales and retention publication in the country. Recipient in 1986, Gilbert L. Bean Award for Extraordinary Service and Devotion to the Braintree Historical Society Frequent feature contributor to local news media; also some national and international media. Publications include a ten page feature in the May 1983 The Magazine ANTIQUES, on reconstruction of the Sylvanus Thayer Birthplace; a Chapter in the book Braintree - Its History on "Business and Industry", 1985; a thirteen page feature in the magazine ARS Ceramica, 1995, among others. Frequent lecturer at various clubs and organizations for professional, cultural and civic involvement. Guest lecturer at seminars and workshops, including such places as Bentley College. For genealogical and more personal information, go to: http://www.angelfire.com/ma/ronspage.html |
