I arrived in Hopedale in May of 1947
a little late to attend school that year and had the whole summer
to acclimate myself to my new country. We came from Yorkshire, England.
Foreign immigrants, but fortunately speaking a remotely similar language.
When the time came to register me and my brother Jim (HHS 55), I was
elected to visit with Mr. Bramhall, and determine the fate of both
of us! I was given a choice of a three-year span for each of us. I
picked the 5th grade for my brother making him the youngest in his
class. I picked the 8th grade for myself because, I knew some of the
kids already there from my contact with them over the summer.
So you see I picked them whether they wanted me or not!
What do I remember about that first
year in Hopedale? I recall that every sport I knew anything about
was not available. I had never seen a baseball, a basketball, an American
Football let alone watched a game! Much to learn.
I learned that taking more than one step at a time up to the top floor
of Dutcher Street School was not allowed and Miss Cressey saw to it
that I stayed after school to get the message. We had never had a
phone so sitting near the closet in Mr. Dow’s room and being allowed
to answer the phone thrilled me! “Dutcher Street School, Mr. Dow’s
room, Raymond Midgley speaking” still rings in my mind with pleasure.
I made friends that have lasted a lifetime. Some ridicule of the funny
way I spoke hurt a little but it took only about six months before
I blended in (somewhat). Miss Cressey helped by making me read aloud
to the English class.
After that first year I was scheduled to depart the class of 1952
and attend Worcester Boys Trade School. I was accepted then rejected
as a big group of WWII veterans had preference and rightly so! Off
to HHS, unanounced, unexpected and ill informed. Academically the
first year was a waste but I woke up and did well to the end.
I remember the morning assemblies. Pledged allegiance to my new country.
Sang Protestant hymns with gusto (“Let the Lower Lights be Burning")
At the end of the Lords Prayer I was silent with the rest of the Catholics
while the others continued "For Thine is the Kingdom..........."
I have many memories and could go on
and on, but I would like you to hear this one.I
played basketball, one on one and horse on the outdoor court in the
park with an older boy. He was in college and home for a short time
before going in the military. He was a very physical but kind guy
and he showed me some things about the game. I was amazed that he
would let me, a skinny teen even touch the ball. We did this two or
three times and I never saw him again. His name was Richard Griffin
USMC and he was killed in action in Korea.
All the parties and games and school
work finally ended and twenty four of us, twelve boys and twelve girls
stood on the steps of the Community House at Graduation. I received
the most improved student award, I think because I started out very
badly!
We never all got together again. Scattered in all directions. Off
to colleges, universities, jobs, military we went forth to do our
things.
I went to Drapers Apprentice School
but it closed. I volunteered for the Draft and was gone in a week.
I received my naturalization papers while in the Army and became a
US citizen in 1955.
Two years later I was back in Massachusetts
working for the State in Geodetic Survey. My brother- in-law, Paul
Swanson, was the party chief and my brother Jim was a senior at HHS.
Jim graduated in 1955 and left for UM Amherst to study Civil Engineering.
Both Paul and Jim convinced me to apply to UMASS, which I did, and
much to my surprise was accepted. In the fall of 1956 I restarted
school on the GI bill. Halfway through my sophomore year I married
a classmate, Margaret Elizabeth Deane, from Pembroke, Mass. My sons
Stephen and Peter were born in my junior and senior years.
Graduation came again, this time with a BSME in 1960. We moved to
Wellsville, NY where I began my career as an engineer working in the
design and manufacturing of steam turbines. I worked for over thirty
years at this place and did well.
1961 our daughter Katherine Judith
Midgley came and filled our quota.
During the thirty years I got to do
some traveling at company expense. On one trip to France I sneaked
back home to Yorkshire for the first time back after 18 years. Another
trip in 1979 found me on the Volga river in USSR. This trip caused
me to resume smoking after a 10-year hiatus. On my return home I predicted
that this mess they called a system could not last.
I have been married to Peg for over
42 years and together we (are partly ) responsible for the following:
Grandchildren.
1. Adam 1991
2. Gavin 1989
3. Margaux 1989 and twin Lola (same time)
4. Alison1987
Children.
Stephen 1958. (BSME Kingspoint USMM Academy 1980)
Peter 1960. (BA Univ. Dallas, MFA Ohio Univ.)
Katherine Judith 1961 (BSEE BU)
Let me tell you the craziest caper
and then I'll close. I retired in Dec of 1990 and that spring I crossed
the Atlantic in a small boat with my son-in-law Frederick Objois.
He being the captain and owner of the 29 1/2 ft sloop MIZIAN and me
the entire crew (and ballast). We embarked from St. Martin in the
Caribbean for the Azores, Spain and France. After 38 days we disembarked
at Arcachon on the West Coast of France, where Kathy and the twins
awaited us.
I am reminded of the the girl who had
to write a composition about penguins and her final sentence was "that’s
more than I ever wanted to know about penguins".
I suspect that’s more than you ever
wanted to know about Ray Midgley Class of 52
May I add this Testimonial to Winburn
A. Dennett (1894-1971). He was the most influential person in my life.
Without his concern for me and his willingness to bend the rules for
me I never would have had the prerequisites to attend college let
alone the ability to handle it.
Ray Midgley, June 18 th 2000
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