EPHS to Induct Six in Hall of Fame this October

The East Providence High School Hall of Fame Committee announces the induction of six new members to the High School Hall of Fame (HOF). The 2024 HOF Induction Ceremony will be held at East Providence High School on Sunday October 20, 2024, with a reception at 12 noon followed by dinner at 12:30 p.m. The ceremony will be held inside the James T. Kanelos student commons (cafeteria). After the ceremony, a tour of the high school will be available for anyone interested.

The EPHS HOF was established by former Superintendent of Schools, Myron J. Francis, Class of 1947, in conjunction with the high school Centennial year in 1984. The HOF was intended to bring a sense of pride to the community. The inaugural HOF year consisted of twelve Townie graduates. The HOF committee continuously seeks nominations from the public to expand its focus on the many meritorious EPHS graduates. Anyone can nominate a Townie graduate by contacting a committee member or writing to: EPHS Hall of Fame Committee, PO Box 16571, Rumford, RI 02916.

The 2024 HOF inductees:

Robert Fontes Class of 1959
Robert Fontes graduated in 1959 with academic and athletic honors. Robert, or Bob Fontes, as he is readily known, was a member of the Rhode Island Honor Society. He excelled in the classroom and on the playing field. Above average in all sports, he was a 2nd team Allstate Townie baseball Co-Captain and a standout hockey player. Bob Fontes can be seen attending current EPHS athletic events on a regular basis to this day. After graduating from Providence College with a degree in History he then earned a master’s degree in education from Boston College in 1969. Bob began a stellar 27-year teaching and coaching career at EPHS. He was a Hockey Assistant Coach and then a Head Coach. His 1974-1975 Townie team won both the RI State and New England Hockey Championships. Bob also was an Assistant Townie Baseball Coach. His teams were always competitive and known for good sportsmanship. Bob Fontes is the teacher everyone wanted to have.

Robert E. Rock Class of 1972
Robert Rock graduated in 1972 and then from Bryant College with a BS degree in 1976. He attended and graduated from the RI Municipal Police Academy in 1977 and was hired as a patrol officer for the East Providence Police Department. Rob served in the EP police department until he retired in 1998. During his 21 years with the EP police department, Rob served as officer, Detective, Special Agent Federal Drug Enforcement, Undercover Narcotics Training and within the Vice Unit which he received 12 Police Commendations. From 1995-1998 he was Community Relations director. In that role he established the state’s first TRIAD program, directed the Cadet Program, established the first Citizen Police Academy and the first Lids & Cops program. He was responsible for dealing with neighborhood, elderly and school problems. Rock also became the East Providence Senior Center Director. He led this effort until he retired in 2019.

Richard J.G. Martin Class of 1974
Richard Martin graduated in 1974 with a ‘deep appreciation for his high school experience and for his history teachers’. As Richard stated to his Hall of Fame nominators, “My high school years were non-descript as I didn’t belong to clubs or play on organized athletic teams.” However, his teachers and others will quickly describe him as a bright and articulate student full of passion for learning. Richard attended the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College graduate school. He began a meritorious 35-year teaching career which started at Martin Middle School and culminated in his remarkable tenure at EPHS. Martin expanded on existing African American studies program at the high school as well as teaching traditional history classes. Richard is often called on to make presentations to the community. His addresses are renowned for their exemplary and interesting articulation and he is a sought after public speaker.

Robert A. Good Class of 1977
Robert or “Bobby” Good, graduated in 1977 as a high school All-American and went on to a meritorious military career for our nation. Although achieving success as a good student, Bobby is best known to Townies as one of the best high school wrestlers in the nation. He was also named an All-State soccer player and was a major reason EPHS won the RI soccer championship in 1976, a sport he had only played for one year. After attending LSU he entered the US Army and received many Army commendations including Good Conduct medals, Expert Sharpshooter, Expert hand Grenade, Air Assault Badge, Bronze Medal Sharpshooter and more. His wrestling continued in the military and from 1985-1987 he was a three-time Freestyle, Greco-Roman and All-Army Champion. In 1987 he won a Bronze Medal in the Great Britain Cup, in 1988 an Atlanta 1st Place Olympic Trial Qualifying, 2nd Place Olympic qualifying trials, other Olympic trials, including 1989 World Cup top finishes. He is a volunteer EP wrestling coach for many years and mentors many student-athletes. He was a 2024 RI Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee and a 2023 Cape Verdean Museum of Distinction honoree.

Gregg M. Amore Class of 1984
Gregg Amore was an honors student-athlete at EPHS. In addition to his classroom achievements, he was an outstanding member of the Townie varsity baseball and hockey teams. In 1988 Amore began an exemplary 34-year teaching career. During that time, he served with distinction as a classroom teacher, coach and administrator. He coached the Townie baseball and hockey teams, and his 2005 hockey team won the RI State Championship. Also, his tenure as EP Director of Athletics further distinguished his athletic pedigree. In 2012 Amore was elected as a RI State Representative. While at the State House he was effective in promoting civics education, especially complex education funding issues and much more. He has been a major legislative advocate for cancer treatments and anti-domestic violence legislation. In 2024 Gregg was elected as Rhode Island’s 30th Secretary of State.

George Donovan, Honorary Class (posthumously)
George Donovan was a man of many talents. Educator, WW II Veteran, volunteer for many community efforts, news videographer and first responder advocate. George did it all with a humble persona. He left high school during his junior year to volunteer in the war effort. His Coast Guard enlistment stationed him for active duty in the South Pacific and the North Atlantic. From 1945-1948 he served on ships and various islands. He was an important radio operator in the mostly pre-radar era. After his war service, George finished high school and earned a teaching degree from URI. He started a 30-year teaching career in East Providence. After teaching civics at Central Junior High in 1956 for a year, he then went on to EPHS where he retired in 1986. Upon moving to the audio-visual department, he quickly modernized EPHS technology. He planned and ran weekly assemblies for the students. He was the first to bring videos of school sporting events and other activities to the community. He set the stage for communications between schools and chaired a citizen’s cable TV advisory council for the city. George began the first all-volunteer effort to video tape government meetings. He led the first emergency response planning effort for all schools, working closely with schools, police and fire. He was a cherished supporter of statewide first responders by assisting with the “Canteen Truck” which provided firefighters with food, rest and relief during major catastrophes. He also was the official photographer of the EPFD and he provided them with training films. George passed away in May of 2024 at the age of 96.

Ticket Information
The general public is invited to help honor the 2024 EPHS Hall of Fame inductees. Ticket and Ceremony information:

When: Sunday October 20, 2024
Time: 12 noon reception followed by dinner & ceremony at 12:30 pm
Where: EPHS Student Union Cafeteria
Tickets: $40. Per Person

Checks should be made out to “EPHS Hall of Fame” and forwarded to: EPHS Hall of Fame, PO Box 16571, Rumford, RI 02916. Tickets will not be available at the door.

RESERVATIONS ARE DUE BY OCTOBER 5, 2024