Articles about Member Stories that may be useful to Massachusetts retirees.
Founded in the fall of 1968, Mass Retirees has served as the lead advocates for all Massachusetts retired public employees for the past 50 years.
From the Association’s humble beginnings, our mission has been to represent the interests of all public retirees at the state, local and federal levels of government. Our focus is public pension, Social Security, Medicare and retiree healthcare policy, for which Mass Retirees has become widely recognized for our expertise.
This week, we said goodbye to our friend and colleague Chris Condon. In addition to his work with SEIU Local 509, Chris previously served as a member of the State Retirement Board. He was not only dedicated to public service, but worked tirelessly and selflessly to better the lives of others. The positive impact his work had on others, including public retirees, is immeasurable.
We would like to share the following tribute to Chris, by Globe Columnist Yvonne Abraham.
BY ANNE MARIE TOBIN, Lynn Item
NOVEMBER 19, 2021: PEABODY — There were plenty of smiles to go around Wednesday morning at the Fire Department headquarters on Lowell Street as Joseph P. DiFranco, one of Peabody’s most beloved and respected firefighters, was honored posthumously with the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM) Joseph J. Cantalupa Lifetime Service Award.
DiFranco’s wife, Marie, accepted the award on behalf of “Big Joe” from PFFM President Richard MacKinnon Jr.
Former Head of Teachers’ Retirement Board
MAY 28, 2020: It is with heavy hearts that we report the passing of Joan Schloss DeLena, who died on May 22nd from a lung disorder related to her prolonged fight with cancer. Joan had served as a member of the Mass Retirees Executive Board since September of 2015.
Served Mass Retirees Association for Thirty Years
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Geraldine White, following a short illness. Geri, as her family and friends knew her, was married to Association founder and former President Ralph White for over 60 years. Together, Ralph and Geri had four children, seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
MARCH 27, 2014: On behalf of our members, the Association offers the deepest condolences to the families of Boston Fire Lt. Edward J. Walsh and Firefighter Michael R. Kennedy, as well as to the Boston Fire Department. The two members of Boston Fire Fighters Local 718 were tragically lost on Wednesday, while fighting a nine-alarm fire on Beacon Street in Boston’s Back Bay.
JANUARY 2012 VOICE: When an unseasonable snowstorm accompanied by gale-force winds slammed into Massachusetts on October 30, nearly a million households were again without electricity up to a week or longer.
It was only three months earlier that tropical storm Irene had caused havoc in much of Massachusetts, making October’s blast a double-whammy when followed by a cold snap of below freezing nights. This left those members without a heat source in some peril.
NOVEMBER 27, 2011: On October 28, 2011, Newburyport Mayor Donna Holaday proclaimed Franklin J.( Buddy) Spaulding Day in the City of Newburyport. The proclamation was issued in recognition of Buddy’s 26 years of service on the Newburyport Retirement Board. The proclamation was issued just one month prior to his death on November 23, 2011.
2007 JULY - As communities focus more and more on paying for health insurance, local retirees have been organizing to better defend against attempts to reduce their benefits or shift costs onto them. This is not an entirely new phenomenon, since there are examples of municipal retiree groups, with a long and productive history, such as in Newton, Plymouth and Attleboro.
2007 MAY - Robert Hamilton, our Berkshire area Vice President, passed
away this February after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Since 1968 the Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association has been the leading voice for Massachusetts public retirees and their families. Join with our 52,000 members as we continue the fight.
