“That’s Gerry playing tricks on us,” someone from the crowd quipped amid laughter from the crowd. Michael Kushmerek, Mayor Stephen DiNatale, and Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus. to r.) Martel’s best friend Joe Byrne, Martel’s widow Nadine “Toddy” Martel, State Sen. A large crowd gathered at the intersection of North and Main streets in Fitchburg on Wednesday morning for the dedication of Gerry Martel Square, including (l. “He was the prototype of Fitchburg home-grown,” DiNatale said before thanking Joe Byrne “for pushing this petition through” and the council for passing it in recognition of “one of Fitchburg’s finest.” He presented Toddy with a citation as did Cronin and Kushmerek, and when Kushmerek spoke after Cronin the tarp fell on him. DiNatale welcomed everyone and commented on the “great turnout,” which reminded him of the attendance at Martel’s 90th birthday celebration in 2017. Jose Rodriguez from the Department of Public Works threw down the rope attached to the tarp covering one of the two bright red signs designating Gerry Martel Square to DPW signs shop supervisor Michael East, who said he is passing along his job to Rodriguez. He said the square is now “part of a legacy this man well deserves,” and that when people who may not know who Martel was see his name and look him up online, they will find out what a “kind and generous man” he was. “When his store right here where you’re standing was torn down … a little bit of his legacy was gone,” Joe Byrne said, adding that when Martel’s music store moved to a different location “more of his legacy” disappeared. The proceedings were broadcast by Fitchburg Access Television.īyrne thanked the co-signers of the petition that made Martel Square official, City Councilor Amy Green, who signed it when he was on his way to City Hall to drop it off, Kushmerek, and “of course my better half,” his wife Lynda Byrne, FHA Board of Commissioners Chair, and the City Council “for passing it unanimously.” He recalled talking “about Gerry’s exploits” at his friend’s memorial service at Christ Church five years ago and how the idea for the square came to him.ĭozens gathered at the intersection of North and Main streets in Fitchburg on Wednesday morning for the dedication of Gerry Martel Square. Michael Kushmerek, several City Council members, Fitchburg Housing Authority Executive Director Doug Bushman and Martel’s widow Nadine “Toddy” Martel, along with dozens of other people. John Cronin, Mayor Stephen DiNatale, state Rep. The ceremony was attended by local and state officials including state Sen. He moved to the city and was considered to be the top classic car appraiser in the country. 28, 2019, a week after his 91st birthday.įor more than 50 years, Martel owned and operated the Fitchburg Music Store at the intersection, saving it from bankruptcy when he purchased it in 1957. Fitchburg,” died in his sleep at home on Feb. Martel, who earned the affectionate nicknames “Mr. “Thank you for coming out for my very best friend Gerry Martel,” Joe Byrne said to the large crowd. Michael Kushmerek presents Nadine “Toddy” Martel with a citation at the dedication of Gerry Martel Square in Fitchburg Wednesday, which is named after her late husband, a beloved longtime city resident and business owner. FITCHBURG - The intersection of North and Main streets was dedicated as Gerry Martel Square on Wednesday morning, recognizing the beloved late longtime city resident and business owner.
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