Pasco “Pat” Macari is without question steeped in history. Macari is the only person who can hold the title of the longest active member of the Johnston Historical Society.
“His dedication and passion for history is the cornerstone for the on-going success of this great non-profit organization,” said Anthony Ursillo of Macari’s association with the award-winning JHS. “His work will always be appreciated and remembered.”
Macari, has done it all for the JHS even before some successful grant writing – and an enthusiastic JHS membership – led to building of the Museum Barn on the non-profit’s property at 101 Putnam Pike that’s also located next to the historic Elijah Angell House.
“Pat Macari has been a fixture with our organization,” said Louis McGowan, the current and highly-respected JHS president. “He has been with this group since the early 1980s and his contributions have been both outstanding and endless.”
Perhaps that’s why there was an overflow crowd of people inside the Museum Barn Sunday afternoon, as many JHS members, as well as Macari’s family and friends, showed up to thank “a special Man for all his countless and dedicated hours” to the highly-acclaimed non-profit he helped built from the ground up.
That’s also why several speakers – Louis and Bel McGowan, Steve Merolla, Shar DiMaio and Elise Carlson – each took a few minutes to express their gratitude to Macari while pointing out countless specific projects he was involved in and conquered trough his extraordinary years as a JHS volunteer.
It’s also why Louis McGowan presented Macari with a beautiful wooden and gold accented award that featured the JHS’ signature Elijah Angell House that read: “This plaque is presented by the Johnston Historical Society to Pasco Macari in recognition of his long serve and many contributions to the Town of Johnston and to our society. He is the longest active member in our history, having joined our group in 1981. During this time, Pat has served in many roles, notably as Membership Chair, Cemetery Chair, Vice President and President. In all that he has done, he has shown his fondness for his beloved home town. December 2017.”
Throughout the reception, Macari, his wife Kathy and his family, as well as members and friends, enjoyed many different pot-luck like hors d’oeuvres and recanted the countless stories of Pat’s tenure with the JHS that dates back to 1981, most notably his seemingly endless research that led to discovery of over 100 historical cemeteries in his native hometown of Johnston.
The JHS’ three M’s – Macari, McGowan and Merolla – in fact headed the non-profits Cemetery Committee that has searched and researched, cleaned, preserved and in some cases upgraded all those historical cemeteries during their spare time on weekends and in all types of weather.
Through it all, Macari, who is usually upbeat, talkative and always smiling, seemed a bit overwhelmed with the day’s happenings that also served as a “good-bye” for a beloved friend and valuable volunteer.
Macari, it was announced Sunday, will soon be retiring after 44 years of service with the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority and he and his wife are planning to move to Florida.
“We will miss you Pat,” was a constant statement Sunday inside the JHS Museum Barn, where the Macari’s were on hand and obviously very proud to hear of the awesome accomplishments completed by a husband, father and grandfather.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here