The next meeting of the Machacam Club is scheduled for Wednesday, February 3.
We will not be meeting in January. We wish a happy, healthy and fruitful Holiday Season to all Club members and to all in our wider community.
Broken Bones under Brilliant Colors
The eastern harlequin duck is one of the most brilliantly decorated creatures you will ever see as a bird watcher in both graphic design and flaming color put together in a high profile for the rugged and dramatic coastline it calls home.
At this time of year, when we pass through the seasonal winter equinox, it may come into passing review for you along the Atlantic migratory flyway past remote peninsular outcroppings southward from Newfoundland and Maine past Buzzards Bay in a clearly traced seasonal coastal route all the way around New York and New Jersey, following rivers inland and reaching comfortable inland-country, isolated destinations.
The harlequin duck, like the wood duck, is an exotic example of how Mother Nature paints the males of almost every bird species with brighter, more visible, color-phase identification than the females, as in my illustration. While the female is cloaked in a monotone, dull, camouflaged, earthly brown to secretly and invisibly nest out of sight to predators, the male on the other hand is a high-profile attention getter of masculine macho seeking attraction, not unlike the crowing barnyard rooster or the drumming partridge, beating its chest to announce the dawn of a new day.
Together, the male and female first breed at two years of age, now pairing up as winter approaches. Several males may court one female, surrounding her on the water with raised tails, stretched necks and ritualized head-bobbing movements. When she nests, the site is usually on the ground very close to the water.
Like the wood duck or the freshwater merganser, from the moment her chicks break the eggshells to hatch out, they are already preprogrammed to quickly depart the nest by jumping out with flapping wings and rapid strides to reach the watery habitat.
Just as loons let their young ride on their backs as an early convenience of widespread movement, it would not surprise me if harlequin hens are glad to give buoyant, protective transportation in rough waves of turbulent rocky coastlines and whitewater rivers that are rough on their bodies. Many harlequin ducks endure broken bones from a precarious lifetime being tossed around by pounding waves and rough water of their preferred, stormy aquatic habitat.
The harlequin duck may ultimately prove to be the next living example of Darwin’s theory of survival of the fittest in a challenging environment of abusive, stormy conditions, if somehow able to survive the floodgate of presently changing conditions of global climate from man-made, atmospheric pollution clouding the cyclical planetary revolutions of seasons on earth either permanently or posing an undetermined future for wildlife as well as the human species of modern mankind.
By George B. Emmons
Committee Celebrates Successes, Reflects on Hazing
The Old Rochester Regional School Committee opened its December 8 meeting by recognizing high achievers, mostly in sports and concluded its meeting by addressing the much weightier topic of hazing in the wake of an out-of-season, unsupervised incident with serious ramifications for the boys ice-hockey season.
ORR Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson began by announcing that Amaya McLeod is the recipient of the 2021-22 Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) Award of Academic Excellence. Ranked second in her class with a 4.5 GPA, McLeod is, according to Nelson, “a true intellectual with a thirst for knowledge … simply put, she is top notch.”
The ORR girls volleyball team was honored for its achievement of capturing the first-ever state championship in girls volleyball in school history.
“Coming off a year without fans (attending games) and with all sorts of restrictions, we needed this, so thank you!” said ORR Principal Mike Devoll to the students who have risen to the extraordinary challenges of 2020 and 2021, including in sports.
Devoll named the entire varsity roster, beginning with junior varsity freshman call-ups Caroline Brogioli and Cami Van Ness and worked his way through the entire lineup: senior captains Maggie Brogioli, Sally Butler and Kenna Soucy, seniors Emma Thorell, Tavish Nunes and Sydnee Pires, juniors Ella Soutter, Emma Van Ness, Emma Peterson, Failenn Fitzpatrick, Charlotte Sisson and Reagan Rock, sophomore Kamryn Rodrigues, and freshmen Molly Sisson and Aubrie Letourneau.
Coach Jimmy Oliveira, who was assisted by Ryan Grace and Allyson Collette, appeared on the ORR School Committee Zoom meeting to offer his thanks for the support that the team received all along the way to its historic championship.
All Fall 2021 ORR teams made the state tournament and won at least one postseason match, advancing to deeper rounds.
There were individual achievements celebrated during the meeting, as four ORR student-athletes were voted league Most Valuable Player awards in their respective sports by South Coast Conference coaches: Maggie Brogioli in girls volleyball, Maggie Nailor in field hockey, Markus Pierre in golf and Hannah Whalley in girls cross-country.
Late in the meeting lasting over two hours, Devoll addressed the out-of-season hazing incident that occurred within the boys ice-hockey program and resulted in the full-season suspension of several players.
“I think it’s important that we follow up,” said Devoll, explaining that ORR immediately contracted the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA,) the National Federation and the Hazing Prevention Association. Since then, he said, 216 current winter-sport athletes have completed an authorized Hazing 101 online course, and the school attorney is assisting in creating professional development opportunities for all coaches and team advisors.
Crediting committee member Frances Kearns’ slogan of disrupting business as usual and taking the opportunity to make a change, ORR School Committee Chairperson Heather Burke said she expects all coaches and team advisors to be open, active participants in training opportunities.
“I think that it’s a blind spot that we’ve had,” she said, saying that it needs to go beyond an outcome and to be a process with daily interactions between adults and students. “It’s not going to be a one-shot deal.”
Devoll called it “a condition of employment. … We all have to be on board with this.”
Committee member Jason Chisholm suggested the training be built into the schedule for review, adding structure to build out a model because he considers the behavior repeatable. Devoll said he plans to meet weekly with winter-sports captains to hold such discussions. Burke agreed on the necessity of touch points and said it’s up to the adults to solve the situations that arise.
Noting that the hazing incident occurred during an out-of-season activity, committee member Matthew Monteiro asked how the school can prevent such occurrences. Devoll said that given MIAA regulations confining the seasons when supervision is allowed each sport, it comes down to education.
“Our coach didn’t know about it, our athletic director didn’t know about it, but it was done within the team dynamic. Even in this case, you are responsible. Your conduct does impact the community,” he said.
Nelson said the staff member who reported the situation to administration should be commended.
Several votes were taken in the meeting.
Senior Class Vice President John Kassabian appeared to propose the ORR Senior Prom for Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at the Belle Mer on Goat Island off the coast of Newport, Rhode Island, and the committee voted to approve. Devoll told the committee that the venue has been used by ORR before. Kassabian said the price range being sought is $90 to $100 per ticket per student, the same price range as last year.
Burke advised Kassabian to be mindful of the contract so that should Covid-related restrictions arise via government order, the students would not lose out on their investment.
The committee also voted to approve field trips to the DECA club for the SCDC competition March 10-12 in Boston and ICDC competition April 23-26 in Atlanta.
Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber brought to the committee’s attention a FY22 credit of $29,577 that lessens the overall debt figure and reduces the overall assessment that was approved at town meetings. The old figure of $16,341,970 excluded the $29,577 reduction, and the committee voted to approve the amended assessment of $16,312,393. Barber said that all three town administrators verified his finding.
With all votes out of the way, Nelson introduced the MCAS scoring summary to the committee, just as the principals of the tri-town elementary schools had done with their individual school committees in recent days.
As was the case in the elementary schools, the high school and junior high both showed a decline in MCAS scores for 2021.
In their respective reports, both Burke and Nelson referenced the towns’ input into the ORR regional school agreement, the first amendment since 1986. Both also credited the ORR Drama Club for its first in-person performance in two years, “You Can’t Take It with You.”
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Jannell Pearson-Campbell summarized professional development programs and a virtual parent-information night, and Student Services Director Craig Davidson said that 11 families learned about transitional skills for high school and after, and he also reported on a three-day site visit by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in which special education was reviewed.
ORR Junior High Principal Silas Coellner discussed Project 351, an ambassador program and the selection of a student from each of the tri-towns.
Devoll also highlighted the ORR Drama Club and the daily Bulldog Block in which college representatives visit the high school and a partnership with Junior Achievement.
Eddie Gonet reported on the statewide Student Advisory Council two weeks prior to the School Committee meeting. There, he said he found interesting a new, portfolio approach toward student testing. He admitted frustration in the regional Student Advisory Council meeting over the failure to distribute pamphlets that were created by the council to speak to important issues. He also noted that each ORR class will raise $200 for the Neediest Families Fund.
Burke encouraged Gonet to continue speaking up and asking questions at such meetings.
A planned executive session was postponed upon discovery that the new quorum rules would not allow for one after the departure of a member from the meeting.
The next meeting of the ORR School Committee was not scheduled at adjournment.
ORR School Committee
By Mick Colageo
Banged-up Bulldogs Start on Track
The first meet of Old Rochester Regional’s indoor track-and-field season came on December 18 when ORR’s boys team defeated Fairhaven, 58-28, at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech. However, the week leading up to the season opener was a rollercoaster, particularly for the boys team.
On December 12, a few members of the team competed at the MSTCA Winterfest meet in Boston where top hurdler Tyler Trudeau suffered a hamstring injury. From there, more team members began dropping off the active list due to illness and injury. On the day of the opener, ORR’s boys were without six key runners, including distance runner Tyler Young and star 300 and 600-meter runner Colby Gross.
The loss of Young was expected to be especially impactful against Fairhaven’s distance-based team, but the Bulldogs had little difficulty defeating the Blue Devils.
The Bulldogs won their first event with freshman Calder Eaton placing first in the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 9.8 seconds. From there, Leo Schiappa picked up wins for Old Rochester in the 55 dash (6.8) and 300 meters (40.9,) while Teddy Carroll won the 600 (1:41.4,) John Kassabian took first in the high jump (5 feet, 4 inches) and Murray Copps put on an impressive performance when he won the 2 mile (11:21.8.)
ORR’s girls team also had some impressive performances on their way to an 80-6 victory. Alexia Gonsalves and Corrine Robert won the 1 mile and 2 mile with times of 6:14 and 14:25 respectively. Jen Williams dominated all competition in the 55 hurdles (8.5) and high jump (5-0.. Perhaps the most impressive performance came from freshman Audrey Thomas, who came in first place in the dash (7.9) and 300 meters (47.7,) edging out Williams in the latter race. Also coming in first place were Cameran Weaver (600, 1:58.5,) Madeline Dugas (1,000, 3:47) and Taylor Greene (shot put, 29-4.)
The meet was capped off by the 4×400 meter relays. Seekonk and Apponequet were competing in their own dual meet at the same time and took part in the event at the same time as ORR and Fairhaven.
ORR’s girls team consisting of Weaver, Aubrey Heise, Scarlet Patnaude and Liz Feeney put on an impressive performance, defeating all three opposing teams. The boys team had Kassabian, Carroll, Sam Balsis and Matthew Curry, and the crowd erupted as they too pulled off a dominant win.
The Bulldogs will next face Somerset Berkley on Thursday, December 23, at GNBVT.
Boys Basketball
The Bulldogs opened their season with two wins last week. The first came on December 14 at Wareham High School, where they beat the host Vikings 77-65. After ORR dominated the first half, Wareham came back strong in the second half, bringing what was at one point a 25-point lead in favor of the Bulldogs down to 5. However, ORR was able to hold off their South Coast Conference rival to come away with the win. Steve Morrell led the Bulldogs with a game-high 22 points, and Sawyer Fox scored 20.
The Bulldogs further improved their record to 2-0 on December 18 when they dominated Martha’s Vineyard 73-29 in Mattapoisett. ORR hosted GNBVT on Tuesday night. They host Wareham on Tuesday, December 28, at 6:30 pm.
Girls Basketball
The Lady Bulldogs improved to 2-0 with a 36-31 win against Falmouth on December 17. Maddie Wright led the Bulldogs with 15 points, while Logan Fernandes contributed another 10 points. ORR visited GNBVT on Tuesday. They visit Wareham on Tuesday, December 28, at 1:30 pm.
Girls Hockey
ORR’s girls hockey team raised its record to 2-1 after a 5-4 win over East/West Bridgewater on December 19, but the next night fell back to .500 with a 9-2 loss to Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake. In the victory over the Bridgewater coop, Kellan Geake hit the back of the net twice while Liz Kilpatrick had two assists. Ryann Tripp scored the winning goal. The Bulldogs hosted Dennis-Yarmouth on Wednesday and on Monday, December 27 are scheduled to visit Bishop Stang in a 3:00 pm faceoff at Hetland Memorial rink in New Bedford.
Sports Roundup
By Matthew Curry
Rochester Historical Society Concert
Those who attended the holiday concert at the Rochester Historical Society Museum were treated to an entertaining hour of Christmas music played masterfully by organist Bruce Gardzina as he brought the mid-1800’s organ to life. The day had a timeless feel as the sun streamed through the stained glass in the church/museum built in 1857. In addition to playing, Bruce explained some of the steps needed to play this relatively rare organ and also made adjustments for some of the old reeds that were damaged or missing.
The Historical Society has had some basic repairs done, but we would love to be able to bring it back to its previous glory. A vocalion organ is a form of a reed organ, but it produces the music somewhat differently. The sales material that accompanied the organ when it was donated to the Church in the late 1800’s explains that in this type of instrument the reeds vibrate in the same way as the human throat and that when the organ is played it mimics a chorus of singers.
After the concert, everyone adjourned downstairs for mulled cider, a variety of desserts and good conversation. The attendees brought enough unwrapped gifts to brighten many children’s holiday.
Randall Lane Solar Clears ZBA
On December 16 the Special Permit requested by Randall Lane Solar LLC cleared its last remaining government hurdle: approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Coming before the ZBA on this night was Caroline Booth of Beals and Thomas, the applicants’ representative. Also in attendance were Bill Madden of G.A.F. Engineering and Attorney James Marsh. Madden and Marsh were representing abutters Veronica and Chris Brockwell.
Booth’s opening remarks briefly outlined the proposed solar array, some 27 acres carved out of 88 acres privately owned. She explained that a vast majority of the acres in play have been previously disturbed by agricultural activities and logging. The areas logged, Booth said, would be returned to Chapter 61 lands upon the completion of the decades-long rental agreement between the solar developer and the property owners.
Other highlights of Booth’s presentation included mention of a 1741 farmhouse, the remains of which are located on the site in an area not planned to be part of the solar field, improvements to an existing roadway into the site, battery containers designed to contain hazardous chemicals, a reduction in the original size of the solar array in consideration of flood-plain mapping, 24-7 remote monitoring of the site once operation and training of local first responders in the event of an equipment failure and associated emergency necessitating their assistance.
Booth also said that most of the staging of materials and equipment will be used off-site and smaller transport vehicles used on site, along with police details to ensure ease to local traffic and adherence to a commitment that the historic stone bridge over the Mattapoisett River at River Road would not be used by the construction teams.
Regarding the status of applications before the Planning Board for site-plan review and the Conservation Commission for the Wetlands Protection Act, Booth said both permitting entities were in the process of preparing orders of conditions.
The project is planned for an area identified as the Mattapoisett River Aquifer District. Booth said that when the Mattapoisett River Valley Water District Commission, the multitown agency which represents the towns of Fairhaven, Rochester, Mattapoisett and Marion in matters related to freshwater sources in the region was approached for its comments on the project, its response was, “the project would have no impact.”
The ZBA was ready to close the public hearing when Madden and Marsh asked to be heard.
Marsh began by stating that the proposed solar project is not allowed under the bylaws governing rural residential uses. “If it’s not allowed, it can’t be allowed. … It can’t be allowed for commercial use in the aquifer district,” he said. Marsh stated that transformers and other equipment would contain petroleum products and that the town had specifically created an “overlay district to protect drinking water.” Marsh added, “You want to protect the people in the town.”
Madden’s comments echoed for the most part those articulated by Marsh. “Transformers usually contain oil-based chemicals. Usually there are secondary containments,” Madden said. He went on to say that requests of the applicants for more details on containment plans and the chemical composition of liquids that would be inside batteries and transformers had not been forthcoming from the developer.
“These are serious elements being added to the aquifer.”
Booth countered that battery storage on site is a requirement, that there are containment features and that everything being placed on equipment pads would be contained in units she described as “giant shipping containers.” She went on to tell the ZBA members, “This project may not be built for two years. If there are advances or upgrades, those will be used.”
Marsh told the ZBA, “I don’t think you guys can make an informed decision” in the absence of technical documentation.
But the ZBA thought otherwise.
The board’s members were united in the decision, adding wording that a Special Permit would be granted if the Planning Board and Conservation Commission conditioned the project and if secondary containment was used, that hours of construction operation were spelled out, that road improvements were complete and that a sign be placed at the site with a telephone number in the event it becomes necessary to contact maintenance personnel.
Madden and Marsh did not indicate that an appeal by their client would be filed.
Also receiving requested special permits were Edwin Sargent, 3 Oakland Way, for the construction of an addition to an existing home and Daniel Kaukas, 3 Hamlin Road, for the reconstruction of an existing porch.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals will be scheduled for Thursday, January 20, at 6:00 pm if there are cases to be heard.
Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals
By Marilou Newell
First Responders
To the Editor;
Kudos to the first responders!
I owe my survival to the Mattapoisett Police Emergency Medical Service, staffed by paramedics and police officers trained to assist. After I suffered a near fatal aortic tear, they arrived on the scene in minutes, provided Advanced Life Support and rushed me to St. Luke’s Hospital Emergency Room where doctors assessed the situation and sent me immediately to Boston for emergency cardiac surgery, which was followed by a week of medically-induced coma and two weeks of inpatient rehab. Without these First Responders, I could not have written a chapbook of poems chronicling my unexpected recovery. The collection has just been published, December 2021, by Lily Poetry Review Books.
Robbie Gamble RN and poet, says of the book: “With precise language and deep self-awareness, Margot Wizansky writes her way through the aftermath of a near-fatal medical emergency that left her in a week-long coma and months of gradual rehabilitation. Her poems thoughtfully consider her family’s stunned love in crisis…the careful dance of redefining intimacy with her husband as her body and mind return to her…”
Margot Wizansky, Mattapoisett
The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.
OR Senior Amaya McLeod Recognized
Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Old Rochester Regional High School Principal Mike Devoll are pleased to announce that senior Amaya McLeod has been presented with the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) Award of Academic Excellence on December 8.
“Amaya is an exceptional student and role model within our school community who is confident, independent and compassionate,” Principal Devoll said. “She shows a desire to learn and thrives in many of our most rigorous classes, and is a valuable member and leader in several of our school organizations. She is very deserving of this award and is an excellent representation of the students, leaders and citizens that we work to develop at ORRHS.”
The M.A.S.S. Award of Academic Excellence is presented by the superintendent to a deserving student in each school district throughout Massachusetts. To be considered for the award, the student must be a member of the senior class with a cumulative GPA that places them in the top fifth percentile of their class. The nominee must also consistently demonstrate traits of leadership, social responsibility, respect for their fellow students and involvement in various aspects of the school community.
McLeod has been recognized for her academic success, dedication to school organizations and leadership roles and community service.
McLeod has taken several high-level classes, holds a 4.5 GPA and is currently second in the class rank. She has been recognized for her academic achievement many times, receiving academic excellence awards in AP Chemistry, Honors Precalculus, U.S. History and many more subjects. She is also a National Merit Semi-Finalist.
McLeod has been a member of the Student Council since her freshman year and currently serves as president of the Executive Board. She also serves as co-president of the Environmental Club and is a member of CORE (Creating Old Rochester Environment) as well as participates in many other school activities.
Last school year, she was nominated by faculty to represent the school at the American Legion Girls’ State conference. She has additionally received a Presidential Service Award in recognition of her community service hours.
“Amaya has many impressive achievements as a student within our schools and consistently demonstrates character and integrity,” Superintendent Nelson said. “She was a clear choice for this recognition, and I am pleased to recognize her as this year’s recipient.”
James Michael McCarthy, Jr.
James Michael McCarthy, Jr., 74, of Mattapoisett died peacefully at home on December 20, 2021 following a hard-fought battle against pancreatic cancer.
Born at St. Luke’s Hospital on February 25, 1947, Jim spent much of his youth in Louisiana and Florida before returning to New Bedford in his high school years. He lived the rest of his life in the New Bedford area, which he loved for its history, people, culture, and connection to the sea. From 1976 until his death, Jim resided in Mattapoisett with his beloved wife Mary Louise (Griffith) in a home he built himself and where they lovingly raised their three sons Daniel Patrick, Michael Patrick, and James Michael III.
Generous and kind, Jim possessed a reserved demeanor that often belied his considerable talents. A skilled musician who helped put himself through college performing in a wedding band, Jim also achieved success as a freelance journalist and screenwriter. Later in life he took up portraiture and found great joy in the talented Deborah Macy’s Tuesday night painting classes at Greater New Bedford Regional Voc-Tech. Jim was always open to new experiences and challenges and he leaves his family with numerous cherished “dad” memories like the time he ran the Boston Marathon without telling anyone because he didn’t want to make a fuss.
Jim gave freely of himself to his family and his community, and sought to support local artists, performers, and institutions whenever he could. He cherished the years he participated in the St. Anthony’s Parish Choir and memories of the times in the early 1980’s when he joined other parents to help grow Mariner Youth Soccer. He believed – despite considerable evidence to the contrary – that he had perfected the design of the ideal Mattapoisett River Race boat.
A graduate of New Bedford High School, Jim secured a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Southeastern Massachusetts Technical Institute (UMass-Dartmouth) in 1968 and soon thereafter found himself with the opportunity of a lifetime working as a young engineer on the lunar module. Following that exhilarating experience Jim secured a Master’s degree in journalism from Boston University and took a position working on submarines with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, Rhode Island where he would make significant contributions for the next 31 years and forge deep and lasting friendships.
Predeceased by his father James McCarthy, Sr. and mother Rose (Walsh) McCarthy, Jim is survived by a sister Maureen of Mattapoisett in addition to his wife and partner of 52 years Mary Louise; his sons and daughters-in-law, Dan and Charis McCarthy of Raynham, MA, Mike and Holly McCarthy of Great Falls, VA, and Jay and Chelsey McCarthy of Weston, WV; and his three beautiful granddaughters Quinn, Eleanor, and Josephine.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday December 31, 2021 at 10 am at St. Anthony’s Church in Mattapoisett. Visitation will be held on Thursday December 30, 2021 from 4-7 pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd, Route 6, Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Gifts to Give, www.giftstogive.org, 1 Titleist Drive, Acushnet, MA 02743. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
Walter ‘Wally’ Henry Trumbull
Walter ‘Wally’ Henry Trumbull passed away in his home in Santa Monica surrounded by his family on December 11, 2021 at the age of 96. We are all so grateful to have had so much time with him and for his generous and positive spirit. He was born in Boston and grew up in Weston, MA, and returned regularly to the East Coast to visit. He loved family and friends deeply and his favorite places: Santa Monica, Marion, Mattapoisett, Mountain Lake, Maui, Rosarito Beach, Pietrasanta, and Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc. It was a challenge keeping up with him! He always had a trip planned and someone to see.
He was passionate about the company/ies he started and ran for over fifty-seven years, Electro-Mech Components and Switch-Luz. They were his beloved other family. Wally leaves a legacy to the ‘maquiladora’ sector as one of the forerunners of the export industry in Mexico.
An athlete as a young man, he played football and ice hockey for Middlesex and Harvard, and later ice hockey for the University of Geneva. He was a good tennis player and taught all his children the game. He remained fit until he died: “onwards and upwards.” He was inducted into the Middlesex Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015.
Wally entered Harvard University in 1942. His studies were interrupted by his time spent serving as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After the war, Wally returned to Harvard and completed his undergraduate degree in 1946.
After returning from Geneva he matriculated at the Harvard School of Business 1947-1949. Upon graduation, he worked for the Gillette Company in Boston in its razor blade division. It was during that time he visited Gillette manufacturing operations in Puerto Rico that he learned of the advantages of offshore manufacturing that he would develop later on in Tijuana, Mexico.
Wally and Betsey had their three older children in Boston, then moved to Santa Monica in 1956 where the three younger children were born. They both later commented that it was a big move to California, but ultimately a wise move. Wally continued working at Gillette until the early 1960’s then struck off on his own with several startups: Transformer Engineers, Pendar Company, and ultimately Electro-Mech and Switch-Luz.
His first wife Betsey predeceased him and he leaves six children: Lea Trumbull Ferris and her husband Bill and children Ben, Willea and Jojo and their families; Hope Trumbull Woodhead and her husband George and children Robert, Janet, Vern and Walt and their families; Margaret Trumbull Nash and her husband Michael; Robin Trumbull Tolan and her husband John and their children Liz, Jack and Maggie and their families; Terry Trumbull and his wife Valerie and their children Ginny and Hank; Coco Trumbull Mueller and her husband Kirk and their children Paige and Will, and their families. He has taught ten great-grandchildren how to play backgammon. He leaves his wife, Helen (Lenkie), and her children Leigh, Mac (deceased), Eliza (deceased), Don, Peter, and their families. He believed deeply in education and came from a long-line of educators. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Middlesex School in honor of Wally Trumbull ‘42 (1400 Lowell Road, Concord, MA 01742; https://www.mxschool.edu/alumni/make-a-gift/) Celebration(s) of Life will be scheduled both in California and Massachusetts at a later date.
