HUDSON – The landmark building at 23 Park St., now occupied by Patriot Ambulance, and originally built for Hudson Boy Scouts in 1923, is for sale.
The century old building has an interesting history. The cornerstone for the building was laid on Sept. 21, 1923 and the year remains visible on the concrete building, one of the town’s older structures.
The search for a Boy Scout building began with fund raising by local church and town leaders in 1922. The following year Hudson Troop 2 received title to a portion of what was then the Bartlett Estate, Park St., and the previous building was razed. Scouts assisted contractors in the construction and the concrete building was dedicated on June 6, 1924.
In 1929, during the Depression, 24 Hudson citizens took over the building, and in 1931 it was sold. In 1935, a Marlborough bank foreclosed on the mortgage, and it became WPA headquarters. The building was damaged by fire in 1941, and Scouts began renting the third floor of Town Hall for meetings.
Hudson resident and businessman Ronald Forance, who had started an ambulance service from his home, founded Marlboro-Hudson Ambulance Service in 1965 and eventually bought the 23 Park St. property. By 1989, he operated a fleet of 31 vehicles and had a staff of 75 emergency medical technicians. Forance died in 2003 and his Estate remains the owner. The business has merged from Marlboro-Hudson Ambulance, to Community Ambulance, to Chaulk Ambulance, to its current resident Patriot Ambulance.
(Ed. Note: We were unable to locate a picture of the original building.)
Coffey celebrates 90th
Hudson resident Eugene “Gene” Coffey reached his 90th birthday on Jan. 13. He was honored with a family party at the home of his son-in-law and daughter, Mark and Peggy Anketell on that day. Among those attending were his sons, Ed Coffey of California, Mike Coffey of Dracut and Bill Coffey of Northbridge and their families, including some of his ten grandchildren. Coffey is a U.S. Army veteran and retired from the U.S. Postal Service.
Class of 1974 to celebrate 50th
Hudson High School class of 1974 will celebrate its 50th reunion Saturday, April 27 from 6-10 p.m. at Embassy Suites Hotel, Boston Post Road, Marlborough. Tickets are $60 per person and the ticket deadline is March 20. Committee is seeking addresses of classmates Fred Charron, Kathleen Flanders, Linda Garland, Wm. Johnson, Jr., Tom Johnson, Joyce Larrabee, Karen Lavell and Michael Marinelli. For tickets or information contact class president Patty (Patterson) McInness 978-562-2692 or at 21 Florence St., Hudson, MA.
Chapman life celebration
“Celebration of Life” will be held for the late Jeff Chapman on Saturday, April 27 at Hudson Lodge of Elks hall, Park Street. The well known musician died Dec. 8 at the age of 72 after a long fight for life. He had been playing in area bands since his graduation from Hudson High School in 1969, including at Fenway Park. He was memorialized on the Red Sox billboard following his death.
New parish deacon
Hudson resident Deacon Charles “Chuck” Rossignol has joined Deacon Jared Auclair on the ministerial staff of St. Michael Parish. Deacon Rossignol was ordained a deacon in 2015 and has been on the staff of Immaculate Conception Church. Announcement was made by parish administrator Rev. Jason Giombetti.
‘Dine and Donate’ Jan. 24
“Dine and Donate” Dinner will be at “Kith ‘n Kin” restaurant, 2 School St., Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 4 p.m. in support of fourth graders at Mulready School, Cox St. The restaurant will donate 10 percent of the dinner profits to the students. Make reservations at www.kithandkinhudson.com/reservations.
Comedy Night Feb. 9
Addiction Referral Center (ARC) will present its 13th annual Comedy Night Benefit Friday, Feb. 9 at Hudson Portuguese Club, 13 Port St. Four noted comedians will perform. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person for the show, and food may be purchased from the Portuguese Club kitchen. All proceeds will benefit the Addiction Referral Center, Marlborough. For tickets call the Center 508-485-4357.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Jan. 27 – Shirley Bausch, Jeff Harrington, Seth Lamburn, Mary Ines Cabral, Andrew Sousa and Angelina Percuoco
Jan. 28 – David Paquette, Karen Rundlett and Linda Palmer
Jan. 29 – Marcie Wheeler, Ben Davis and Danielle Wallingford
Jan. 30 – Cindy Coletti, Janet Wisti, Dave Burney, Derek Mangus and Ania Wolczak
Jan. 31 – George Anastas, Randy Jusseaume, Dan Borella, Debbie Greeno, Tom Tedstone, Amber Rose Cunha, A.J. Leandres and Jesse Hayden
Feb. 1 – Elaine Braga, Tory Bartolini, Kristen Grillo and Elizabeth Battisti
Feb. 2 – Alicia Sheehan, Ethan Bushey, Cindy Costabile and Cameron Greeno
Feb. 3 – Sara Chamberlain and MacKenzie Micciche
Feb. 4 – Bill Rubino
Feb. 5 – Steve Sacco, Maureen Harrity, Mattingly Fahey, Kristen Kierstead Chaisson, Olivia Filippi and her sister, Sofia
Feb. 6 – Carmen Giombetti, David Esteves and Sally Deptula
Feb. 7 – Philip Wilson-Chase, Gina Downey and Julia Scafidi
Feb. 8 – Trish Desmond, Joe Palange, Brendan O’Brien and John White
Feb. 9 – Gavin Capobianco, Barbara Baker, Ty Coletti, Zachary Kent, Heather Rockwell, Paul Hester, Jordy Callahan, Laurie DeAcangelis and Claire Szcerbinski
LOOKING BACK TO 1973
Rev. Timothy Murphy of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Allston spoke on “Christian Unity” at Hudson’s First United Methodist Church. Lauren Leahy was “Girl of the Month” at Hudson Girls Club. Walter Glynn was named “Man of Distinction” by Sentry Insurance International. Officers of the Hudson CYO Band Assoc. were David O’Neil, Edward Ledoux, Ray Kerr and George Perkins.
Emblem Club members Jean Brissette, Mabel Myrick and Joan Garcia were planning a Spring Style Show of fashions from Gould’s Redwood Shop. The cast of Anton Chekov’s “The Boor,” freshman entry in the Hudson High School Competitive plays included Amy Goodreau, Geralyn Landry and Peter Rimkus. Hudson High School girls’ basketball tri-captains were Terry Prendergast, Melanie Dupont and Mary Lou Aud.
Send entries for Hudson Happ’nings to 18 Cottage St., Hudson MA 01749 or email [email protected].
