Seekonk Lions November Update

Alfred “Ted” Gamboa: A Pillar of Service
Alfred “Ted” Gamboa has been a dedicated member of the Seekonk Lions Club for over 23 years. Throughout his tenure, Ted has been a steadfast presence, serving as the faithful Tail Twister, a member of the Seekonk Lions Charitable Trust Board of Directors, and a recipient of the prestigious Melvin Jones Award — a testament to his unwavering commitment.

Ted’s journey with the Lions began at the club’s world-famous clam boils, an event that initially drew him in. What started as helping out front with collecting money and tickets quickly evolved into a passion for working behind the scenes in the kitchen. Ted’s love for cooking and camaraderie shone through as he debagged, cooked, and served the beloved clam dinners, becoming a vital part of the event’s success.

When the kitchen team faced challenges due to illness and dwindling volunteers, Ted stepped up in a big way. He brought his family into the fold, and they became an integral part of the team. His son-in-law and grandchildren worked alongside fellow Lions like Gary, Wexler, and Neal, demonstrating Ted’s dedication to passing down the spirit of service to the next generation.

Beyond the clam boils, Ted’s enthusiasm for volunteering extended to the Lions’ golf tournament, where he has manned the “closest to the pin” hole each year. His quick wit, jokes, and playful antics—sometimes hiding golf balls from unsuspecting players—add a joyful spirit to the event. Alongside his good friend George Poli, Ted’s interactions bring smiles and camaraderie to everyone involved.

When we started our Doug Allen Memorial Fishing Derby at the Grist Mill Pond, Ted came through in his support. He would bring his large generator so George, the Fishing Guy, could hook up his microphone and speaker to announce the day's catch. I would often scratch my head at the amount of power generated for just a small microphone over three hours!

But when it comes to being there, Ted can always be counted on and his family follows right along. As Ted often recounts, years ago he would always go to Slater Park in Pawtucket to get the family’s annual Christmas tree. Standing in long lines every year, Ted finally asked if they needed help to move the trees and shorten the wait in line. Well, he tried that along with making hot dogs and hot chocolate and found it was not to his liking.

Ted enjoys being the “guy between the scenes”. When he mentioned that distributing the trees was not for him, the group leader asked him if he wanted to help with building/ facilities maintenance. That was more his style. You see, Ted has been in construction his whole career. He has now volunteered at Slater Park for 18 years straight, putting in long days periodically each year to build structures, put up and tear down holiday displays (including 600 Christmas trees!), and repair the park’s buildings

As I said previously, family plays a central role in Ted’s life. His wife Patty, a former Leo Club leader at the Attleboro High School, shared her passion by organizing events like the Easter Egg Hunt at Capron Park, with Ted and their family helping hide thousands of eggs…thousands! Their collective efforts exemplify the Lions’ spirit of service and community involvement.

In 2023, Ted faced a personal tragedy when his son-in-law Pedro was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Pedro, a longtime Lions volunteer who shared Ted’s love for helping in the kitchen, passed away. In his honor, Ted and his family organized a golf tournament that raised $12,000 for pancreatic cancer research at Miriam Hospital—a heartfelt tribute to a loved one. Pedro’s passing was a profound loss, but Ted’s resilience and dedication to community service remain unwavering.

Though retired for a few years, Ted continues to serve diligently—volunteering at Slater Park, supporting community events, and fulfilling his role as a faithful Tail Twister. His story proves that you don’t have to be in the spotlight to make a profound difference. Ted Gamboa exemplifies what it means to serve with humility, dedication, and spirit—working tirelessly behind the scenes to build a better community for all.

If you would like to meet Ted and all our other dedicated community service members of the Seekonk Lions Club, we invite you to join us at our next meeting on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the American Legion Post 311 at 7 p.m. We’ll be featuring an exciting menu from Rosa’s Kitchen in East Providence. We look forward to meeting you and working together to support our wonderful community!

Paul Buckley
President