ITEM PHOTO BY SPENSER HASAK
Joyce Elliott presents T. Richard Cuffe Jr. with an award on behalf of the Rotary Club of Lynn at the Porthole Restaurant on Thursday.
By MATT DEMIRS
LYNN — Dedicated member, friend, and humanitarian T. Richard Cuffe Jr. was recognized by the Rotary Club of Lynn Thursday at their weekly meeting.
A valued member of the Rotary since November 1, 1990, Cuffe spent years taking lead roles with several programs sponsored by the Club.
Rotary Club president Ray Bastarache said the club received correspondence from Cuffe that he would be leaving.
Cuffe suffered from a stroke a few years ago while vacationing in Paris with his wife, he said, and hasn’t been able to stay as involved as he always liked, so he is stepping down from his responsibilities at the Rotary and other civic associations.
Cuffe served on numerous boards, including the original St. Mary’s High School Board of Trustees, the Boys and Girls Club of Lynn and the executive board of directors at the Rotary Club of Lynn.
He was also inducted to the St. Mary’s High School Hall of Fame in 2013.
With the help of fellow member, Joyce Elliott, who planned the event, the Rotary felt they needed to recognize his years of hard work, the president said.
“We can’t let this guy step off and not recognize him,” he said. “I don’t think there’s anybody in the Lynn club whose membership we value more than Rich Cuffe,” Bastarache said.
“Richie never said no to anybody,” said his longtime business partner, Webb Primason. “It’s not that he didn’t like to say no. It’s that he likes to say yes.”
“We are here to recognize T. Richard Cuffe Jr., long-time Rotarian, and long time humanitarian,” said Elliott, who was first welcomed by Cuffe when she joined the Club.
On behalf of the Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, John Krol presented Cuffe with a citation for years of dedicated service to the City of Lynn, while Robert Douglas presented a certificate on behalf of the city council president Darren Cyr.
Elliott also awarded Cuffe with a plaque on behalf of the Lynn Rotary Club in addition to tender, heartfelt words paying tribute to the man who did it all.
“Rich was someone who took on and carried out any task you asked,” Elliott said. “This is an honor long overdue to someone who couldn’t be more deserving.”
Matt Demirs can be reached at mdemirs@itemlive.com.