Local "Unsung" Heroes - September, 2002

John and Magi Bish
Thousands of children in Massachusetts have been given (free of charge) a Molly Bish "Life Guard" safety kit on behalf of the Bishs'. Included in this kit are a child's fingerprints and photo ID. John and Magi Bish developed and have contributed countless hours to this worthy endeavor in the hopes of protecting and keeping "our" children safe. They truly are heroes in our community who deserve to be recognized, honored and thanked.
Nominated by Isada Martignetti

Sonja Bjork
Sonja has been a volunteer mentor for over three years. A key organizer for WPI's mentoring program with the Friendly House, she unselfishly devoted hours to mentoring Worcester's less affluent youth. Sonja has been influential in the success of the mentor recruitment and program development for Hoop Dreams. Sonja has judged local high school science projects and also acted as an Orientation Leader at WPI to help incoming students. As part of her WPI studies, she helped bring hydroelectric power to a poor rural Thailand village. "Sonja's volunteer actions have certainly helped make Worcester a friendlier and better place to live."
Nominated by Bill Baller

Christopher Boucher
On January 6, 2002 Christopher was ice fishing on Lake Singletary in Millbury. He tried to caution a man he observed walking toward him away from an unsafe area on the frozen lake. The man did not heed Mr. Boucher's warning and moments later the man later identified as Mr. Hayward Rogers, fell through the ice. Risking his own life, Mr. Boucher immediately went to Mr. Roger's aid, pulling him from the icy water, saving his life.
Nominated by Joseph F. Barbato, Jr.

Shaun Bresnahan (1947-2001)
Shaun was a husband of over 30 years, father, a teacher for over 3 decades, and a devoted supporter of providing prosthetics to individuals affected by land mines in Nicaragua and Brazil. In 1991 he was recognized by the state as Social Studies teacher of the year, and in 1992 by TIME magazine as Social Studies teacher of the year. He was dedicated to causes including preservation of the Quabbin Reservoir, Operation First STEP, the Rainforest Action Committee & Walking Unidos. "Shaun felt the need to utilize his name, personage and personality to go and take a stand and fight for a change. For that, he is an unsung Hero who has made his mark in the world."
Nominated by Maureen Lynch

George Busada
For over 30 years, George has been a faithful, loyal and dedicated American Red Cross blood donor. He has generously donated approximately 165 units of blood (20 gallons) to patients in area hospitals. Each unit (pint) of blood treats two or more patients, George personally has helped over 500 people return to good health. Heartfelt thanks and gratitude to George Busada, a true life-saver and hero in our community.
Nominated by Isada Martignetti

Clinton Police Officers:
(Dave Cravedi; Jeffery Frisch; Brian Coyne; Alberto Bedard)
Four Clinton police officers took their own time off following the 9-11 tragedy to go to New York City to help. They went to help because the Police officers in New York City were working 12-16 hours a day with very little time off. They did not go to receive any special treatment or pats on the back, they just returned to their own town and quietly went back to work. "A reward as a group, would make it that more special."
Nomination Anonymous

Philippe Cournoyer
For nearly 20 years, Phil has faithfully appeared every other week at the Red Cross Blood Donation Center to give his Apheresis - hopefully to cure Leukemia in children. Whenever thoughts of stopping came across him, he would think of the children he was helping. "It's for the kids who need Phil and others who feel as Phil does, that I think he truly deserves to be honored."
Nominated by Patricia A. Healy

Gail Cross
A caring, gentle manner is what makes Gail, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), stand out as she treated patients. She always took time with each of her patients. She brought things to her patients without having to constantly be buzzed. "I feel that she goes the extra mile to make an otherwise stressful situation a little less stressful with her caring, wonderful, personality." Gail was the CNA who cared for Deborah.
Nominated by Deborah Sjostedt

Thomas Dwyer
Tom lives in the house where he grew up. He assists his life-long neighbors, especially the elderly, with home repairs and by taking them shopping. He visits them in nursing homes, provides transportation to those in need and visits home bound neighbors. Particularly, one is a baseball fan. In his youth this neighbor would bring him to Fenway; he now brings her to games. "To me he is a real hero because he does all these things on a regular and frequent basis with no thought of reward."
Nominated by Fay Macomber.

Eileen Gardell
Eileen was the lifeguard on duty when a 30-year-old male went under the water. Eileen was able to swim out to him and pull him to safety. The next day Eileen was faced with a 6-year-old female that was pulled to safety at Hopkinton State Park.
Nominated by John Beahn

Eileen Grant
At fifteen, Eileen became one of the youngest persons certified as a national coach through the Special Olympics organization and for the past four years she has volunteered her at the YMCA to get "her" swimmers ready for the next Special Olympic venue. In February 2002, she braved the cold water of the Atlantic in the annual "Passion Plunge" event to raise money for the Special Olympics.

Eileen is involved in her school and local community by helping underclassman with their studies, helping organize activities for children, seniors and the community at large and is a member of the Student Council. Eileen, an accomplished instrumentalist, has donated her time to work with children who have not had opportunities to receive formal music instruction.

Since returning from representing her school at both the Hugh O'Brian and Rotary Youth Leadership Seminars, Eileen's personal resolve is to make the world a better place for humanity and she to fulfill her civic obligations by giving to others within her community.
Nominated by Kelly Grant

M Howard Jacobson
Howard has graciously rolled up his sleeve and given the gift of life 75 times since 1976. His precious blood is being used to treat patients suffering from illness, such as cancer, anemia, sickle cell disease and organ failure.
Nominations by David Grenon and Katy LaRiviere

Barbara Moore Keever
Barbara has for many years worked as a licensed day-care provider, and a foster mother, opening her home and heart to the most troubled and hard to place foster children, with great success. She has taken it upon herself to learn to provide certain nursing care, enabling her to care for severely handicapped adults and children. The past two years, she was the hands, feet, etc., for a paralyzed high school student. In the past she has been a personal care assistant for a young child who is also severely physically handicapped. Barbara has taken van loads of homeless people to Tufts Dental School to enable them access to dental care they would otherwise not be able to obtain. "Barbara lives her life every day with her eyes and her heart directed toward the needs of others and is the most selfless, humble person I know. I can't state too strongly how I feel, especially in the post 9/11 world, how much Barbara Moore exemplifies the "everyday hero."
Nominated by Martha T. Carlino

Jessica Leahy
On June 20, 2002, at a pool party, both my daughters were swimming at the deep end of the pool. When my daughter, Taylor, let go of the pool side, her sister, Jessica, thought she was seeing how long she could hold her breath. Jessica soon realized something was wrong, swam down, grabbed her sister and pulled her limp body to the surface crying for help. Jessica treaded water and held her sister above water until I could reach her. If not for Jessica's quick reaction, Taylor could have suffered severe consequences from having a seizure in the pool. "I will be eternally grateful and thankful to Jessica for her quick thinking and saving her sister's life."
Nominated by Stephanie Leahy

Linda Lloyd
The "energizer bunny" describes Linda - she keeps going. She is a massage therapist and while our brother was in the hospital (for 5 years) she would massage all the other hospitalized children who were sick. She volunteered her skills at the Worcester Warehouse Fire and the Mt. Skinner fire in So. Hadley. On Sept 11th, Mom set up her massage chair at a Red Cross donation center at U-Mass Amherst. While people were waiting to donate blood Mom sat there and massaged people. Mom recently massaged parents of children who have cancer and other life-threatening illnesses at a place where parents can go to get away for a weekend. I'm happy that she's our Mom and I wanted you to know her too - she finds the time to help others while continuing to still take time to love and be there for us.
Nominated by Zach and Sky Lloyd

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Paul Noone & Tamsyn Moreau
Both Paul and Tamsyn had just finished the American Red Cross lifeguarding class. Paul saw a 6-year-old female have a seizure and go under the water. With Tamsyn's help, he pulled the girl out of the water, laid her on the deck and cleared her airway. The girl was released from the hospital a day or two later.
Nominated by John Beahn

Kelly Ober
On March 1st Kelly was dining with friends at a local restaurant when a women started yelling that her husband was choking. Kelly saw the waitress attempting to do the Heimlich maneuver on a gentleman. Kelly, realizing the waitress needed help, jumped right in and after 24 thrusts finally dislodged the piece of food. The gentleman was very shaken, but thankful that Kelly was there to help. Kelly recently completed a CPR class required by her employer. "The CPR instructor said it wasn't always easy and Kelly will tell you it isn't."
Nominated by Sybil LaBaire

Debbie O'Donnell
Erica, Shannon and their mother, Debbie O'Donnell, were at home when little brother, Parker, started choking on lifesavers. Erica dialed 911, and Shannon went out to flag down the ambulance while Debbie performed the Heimlich maneuver. After several attempts Debbie was able to dislodge the candy. This truly represents heroic teamwork.
Nominated by Carolyn Crowley Stimpson

Margaret Porter
Meg earned her "lifeguard" certification and at 16 now teaches swimming lessons at the Y in Hopkinton, as well as baby-sits and pet-sits for her neighbors. On Saturday mornings, she and a neighbor volunteer at the Bay Path Humane Society by walking the dogs. To help raise money for the animal shelter, Meg has participated in the "Dog-walk-a-thon" with her family.

When Meg's grandfather was diagnosed with cancer she made regular visits and helped her grandparents with the yard work. When her grandparent's dog passed away, Meg searched the Internet and found "Coty", a new fury friend. Coty and Meg's ill grandfather quickly became great friends. Her contributions to her community and for being a special person when her grandparents were in need are why she is being nominated.
Nominated by Louise Porter

James P. Purcell
On February 9, 2002 James Purcell saved the life of an 11-year-old girl. When the young girl fell through thin ice on a pond located across the street from his house, James responded without hesitation, even though he placed himself in great danger. He used a ladder and knowledge of ice safety and pulled the girl to safety. "I believe that Mr. Purcell used courage, kindness, and unselfishness to put aside his fears and rise to a higher calling, that of a hero." John Stewart "I would like to think if I were faced with that same set of circumstances, I would have the courage to respond as he did." Gerry Gaudette.
Nominated separately by John Stewart and Gerry Gaudette

David Rodriguez
On August 2, 2001, David jumped into action without hesitation, carrying 6 elderly passengers, 3 of which were handicapped, and some with Alzheimer's disease out of his burning van. As a result of his heroic efforts, all were saved.
Nominated by Patrick Noonan

Charles (Chick) Weiss
Chick and his brother were attending a cookout when a guest chewing on a piece of steak became absolutely silent. He turned a deep shade of red and no air was going in or out... it happened very quickly. Chick's brother positioned his hand around him to apply the Heimlich maneuver, but it didn't work. Chick remembers thinking that even if he had called 911 and help was only 3 blocks away, the victim would probably be unconscious by then. Chick wrapped his arms around him and applied the Heimlich again and this time it worked. You have only a few minutes to respond to save a life - basic training in First Aid can really make a difference.
Anonymous Nomination

Kara Woods
Kara, a senior at a local high school, is a member of the Student Council and was involved with putting together a blood drive. Two days before the blood drive, tragedy stuck the town of Millbury when a local police officer was killed in a motorcycle accident. Kara dedicated the blood drive in his memory and got the word out to the community that they could donate blood in the officer's name. As a memorial to his family, she sent the sign-in-list to the family. Recently she traveled to Montreal, Canada spending a week with poor and disadvantaged children. She volunteers and assists with activities for the elderly at senior centers. She also volunteers her time to help teach computer skills to a visually impaired individual in town. She has sung the National Anthem at many social events in Millbury and is spending her second summer as a volunteer at the Worcester Medical Center.
Nominated by Kevin Woods

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