Seekonk Lions Club Update with President Paul Buckley.

Thank you for taking the time to read this next installment of the Seekonk Lions Club update. I would like to express my gratitude for the positive response to my last piece on Doorways, Seekonk’s local food pantry. If you missed it, be sure to check out the February 2025 edition for a great read.

I would like to get back to highlighting some of the members of our club, as it is the many dedicated members who have made it so successful over the past sixty years. One such member has been involved in the Seekonk Lions Club for many years and has been a leader in our community to boot.

There is no doubt in my mind that Gary Sagar is a prominent community leader in Seekonk. While serving the Lions for thirty-five years (a multiple Melvin Jones recipient), Gary has also found the time to serve the town in many roles. Currently, Gary is the chairperson of the Seekonk Zoning Board of Appeals and has a history as a former selectman in the town. During his tenure as a selectman, he was involved in various town projects and initiatives aimed at improving the community.

Gary Sagar has been an active participant in Seekonk's local government for many years, advocating for projects such as the renovation of the Banna Fire Station, the addition to the Animal Shelter, and the construction of a new Senior Center just to name a few. While Gary may get some town folk upset at times, his dedication to the town's development and his commitment to serving its residents have made him a respected figure in Seekonk.

As a member of the Lions Club Gary was involved in many of the club’s fund-raising efforts.

The GEN Run was a fundraising marathon created with the help of legendary Seekonk track and field coach Frank Mooney to honor the lives of three boys who tragically drowned in the Turner Reservoir back in 1998: Gregory Deverell, Eric Azevedo, and Nick Velardo. GEN is an acronym for the boys' first names. With Gary's help, a scholarship was developed in their honor. Money and donations poured in the subsequent years.

Gary never missed volunteering at the thirty-two annual golf tournaments held at various courses across the area. The tournaments started at Firefly Golf Course, moved to Swansea Country Club, and then the Lions teamed up with the Rotary Club in East Providence. Over the years, they have highlighted venues like Wannamoisett Country Club and now Ledgemont Country Club. Gary runs the putting green challenge.

Being a part of the monthly clam boils for over 20 years, Gary was on the kitchen team that cooked and served the delicious clams—a challenging task, as the team will attest. Along with all the fixings, clam lovers from all around participated in the scrumptious endeavor.

When some of our dearest members passed away, Gary was there to ensure their memory lived on. In memory of Doug Allan, a former journalist for the Pawtucket Times, Gary teamed up with George Poli to create a fishing derby in his honor

After the passing of a respected Seekonk forerunner, David Pitassi, Gary, as president, started a scholarship fund in David’s name for young musicians. David had a passion for music, and Gary wanted to see his friend's passion live on.

Recently, Gary, with the help of Larry Hindle from Evergreen Tree and Landscape, planted a tree in Neal Abelson’s memory on the grounds of the Seekonk Congregational Church. As many of you may know, Neal was a long-time member of the Lions Club and a staple of the Seekonk community.

Working with fellow Lions member Chris Gasbarro, Gary organized an Oktoberfest fundraising event at Chris' Fine Wines and Spirits, where attendees could taste fall adult beverages and enjoy authentic German cuisine. This partnership blossomed, and when the opportunity arose to revive a Seekonk tradition, Gary and Chris stepped up to take the reins.

For twenty-four years, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Seekonk hosted the Taste of the Town. Many residents of Seekonk and the surrounding communities looked forward to the event as a farewell to winter and a welcome to spring. When the Kiwanis decided to stop promoting the event, Gary as president of the club reached out to them for permission to have the Seekonk Lions Club, through our Seekonk Lions Charitable Trust, continue this beloved community event.

Gary, along with Chris Gasbarro and member Roger “T” Tetrault as co-chairs, revived the Taste of the Town in April 2023 at the former “Top of the Court” in the south end of Seekonk. There was a lot of planning and promotion as the co-chair team did not know if the event would be successful. Fortunately, the event was a success. The money raised quickly turned into donations for Massachusetts Lions Eye Research and our local Doorways food pantry.

This year, the twenty-seventh annual Taste of the Town is at Ledgemont Country (see flyer inside), giving our patrons and participants more room to enjoy the best local food and beverages. Under Gary’s leadership, the event has continued to thrive, offering residents an opportunity to sample dishes from local restaurants and support community causes.

As I have pointed out in my previous scribes, there have been dedicated people who stand up and take on many roles to contribute to the success of the Seekonk Lions Club. It takes leaders and active participants. Over the years, there have been many like Gary, but to continue to serve our town, we must deliver and invite people like you, the reader of this publication, who might be looking to join a worthy cause and organization. Give me a call; I will be happy to hear from you.

Paul Buckley
508 524-3171

Seekonklionsma@gmail.com