The Honeymooners By Janice Beetle Godleski
The sky Was clear blue on nov. 13, 2010, the day Roger prince '66 married his wife, Mary. Two dozen friends were with them, and
the flowers in baskets matched the stained glass windows. It was perfect, really, but what stands out
as truly special for the retired educators from princeton, Mass., is the fact that the ceremo- ny was performed by Springfield College’s chaplain, David McMahon, in the College’s Marsh Memorial Chapel. To the princes, Springfield College is like
home, like family—even for Mary, who grad- uated not from Springfield College, but from Framingham State university. They have separately made donations to the College, and Roger has generously willed his estate to Springfield College because he has such deep respect for the institution. neither he nor Mary has children, and he is pleased that Springfield College students will someday benefit from his gift. “Springfield’s a very special place,” says Roger, a physical education major who is
now retired after 36 years as a teacher at paxton Center School and as a coach in that community’s middle school and at nearby Wachusett Regional High School. “As an undergrad, I didn’t think about it
that much,” Roger adds. “Just as time went by, it became very obvious to me the advan- tages of having an education there. I felt I owed the College for the wonderful educa- tion that I have.” Mary first visited the campus with Roger
in 2007, attending a football game and a celebration at president Flynn’s house. She has since been to Homecoming with Roger every fall and this June attended his 45th reunion as well. “I’m overwhelmed constantly by how
friendly the student body and the faculty are,” says Mary. “I realize how warm and friendly the College is. I started an album the first year I visited and add to it every time. I never want to leave. It’s just like a big, extended family.” The couple’s love story with Springfield College is almost as interesting as their own
love story. Roger says he and Mary have known each
other for 40 years. They dated for 10 years on and off in the 70s, but then they both married others. Roger was divorced after not too many
years, and Mary’s husband passed away in 2006. Afterwards, the two, who had stayed in
touch, talked on the phone for a year, and in July 2007, they attended a concert given by the Worcester philharmonic orchestra together. “It was just like no years had elapsed,”
Roger says. “It was electric.” When they thought they would like to get
married at the College, Al Carrano, director of gift planning, stepped in and arranged for McMahon, the chaplain, to marry them, and for that they are very grateful. “We’re both very, very lucky to be togeth-
er, and we’re very happy together,” Roger says. “In terms of the College, we both love to get out there as much as we can.”1
SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE • OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT • (413) 748-3124 • (800) 622-6072 TRIANGLE 3 Vol .Vol. 83 83,
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