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Jack
Ratcliffe |
BORN: 1920
YEARS OF SERVICE: 29
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| Jack started at Whitin in 1937, just 2
weeks after his high school graduation. His first job was in
the Drafting Room, and his first pay for 2 weeks worked
there amounted to $30.80! He worked all over "THE SHOP" and
later worked in the Engineering Department as a supervisor.
He told his story during a film-making session in 1999 at
the Whitin Center about the history of the Whitin Machine
Works. And although hired for only 2 weeks, he stayed on for
29 years. During an initial session involving presentations
by several workers in 1998, Jack detailed the involvement in
athletics by the Whitins. Now, one can scarcely pick up a
copy of the Whitin Spindle and not find a photo or
news item about Jack. So involved was he in baseball, that
he later became inducted into Northbridge High School's Hall
of Fame after an illustrious career as a center-fielder in
the former Blackstone Valley League and also for having
served as a coach in "THE SHOP" -sponsored baseball leagues.
A community-minded citizen still, he has filled many
requests and continues to respond when asked. His presence
at "Picnic in the Park" at the Whitin Center in 1999 added a
great deal to making new residents aware of "THE SHOP" and
of its group of reunited workers called the Whitin R.O.S.E. |
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John A.
Rauth |
BORN : 1926
YEARS OF SERVICE: 37 |
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| This man, who came out of the Seabees
in World War II, started his career with Whitin in 1947. At
that time, the Whitin Machine Works as a company had
employed around 6,000, which included operations in the
Maine and No.Carolina mills. John worked his way up into
Overseas Sales, and traveled for 36 years at Whitin, noting
that Whitin markets eventually existed in the Near East,
India, and later in Egypt. People at the time would ask
about Worcester's location ("Is Worcester near
Whitinsville?"). During the Tet Offensive in Vietnam in
1968, John saw first-hand the spinning frames made by Whitin
in the bombed-out Saigon Textile Factory. Detailing the rise
and fall of the Whitin Machine Works during a recent filming
at the Whitin Center, John explained why the Whitin combers
and the spinning frames were the best built machines in the
industrialized world during the 1950's. Previous to this
decade, Whitin started the move to diversify, and John gave
a brilliant explanation in his presentation of the "History
of The Shop". Sadly, he mentions that he was the last
individual to leave "THE SHOP". |
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Eva O'Keefe |
BORN: 1905
YEARS OF SERVICE: 36 |
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| She is the first grand elegant lady to
be interviewed. Eva started her career in 1936. Having had
20 years of experience in the telephone industry previously,
she was unknowing about the operations of a textile machine
plant. However, she had quite a task in managing the
communications within the main office of the Whitin Machine
Works. She had many barriers to overcome, but the most
difficult at that time was to manage and supervise a work
force surrounded by men. Although communication at first was
simple and inexpensive, Eva went from a "one-position"
switchboard to a "two-position" switchboard, which
eventually led her staff in the main office to average a
call or announcement at an average of one each minute . On a
busy day, she noted, her office would handle 600 calls!
Eva knew many of Whitin's upper managers on a first
name basis. She recalled some interesting memories about her
immediate supervisor, Mr. Ralph E. Lincoln, giving insights
about an event at work one day when she was called into his
office. Mentioning other members of the Whitin families,
she praised the likes of Mr. E. Kent Swift and Mr. Sydney R.
Mason and Mrs. Mason. When later asked by this writer about
young people getting advice from her when seeking a career
in manufacturing, she directly replied that one should "be
loyal and honest and always tell the truth". The day of my
visit with Eva shall always be a memorable one, because of
her home's neat decor and her gracious hospitality. |
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Edna
L'Esperance |
BORN: 1923
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: 43 |
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| Not enough can be said about this
worker who started her career as a young lady in the
Engineering Department of "THE SHOP" on December 3, 1941.
Hired as one of the first two women as a clerk, Eva earned
$.32 an hour! We all know that just 4 days later Pearl
Harbor became world-wide news. She continues to show the
same true grit and determination that makes her admired by
all. And now, almost 60 years later, she is honored for her
miraculous reunion efforts which have resulted in five
remarkable gatherings. The first one was in 1995, when about
30 former coworkers showed up to share their memories and
experiences of bygone days. Now it has grown to include over
100 mill workers, both of the crafts and management, and it
is gaining recognition in the entire Blackstone Valley as
well as on the Internet. She takes full credit for the
organization called the Whitin R.O.S.E.(Reunion Of
Shop Employees). Edna is helping to pass down
a great story of her early days in the Engineering
Department working with Mr. R.K. Brown, her first boss, when
she had to work on master lists of bills for materials. She
left in 1985 and Mr. Peter Bedrosian took over as head of
the Engineering Department. Her last days were spent working
at A.T.F. Davidson. |
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Russell
Bailey |
BORN: 1918
YEARS OF SERVICE: 44 |
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I checked my gait and set my eyes
to gaze
Upon the village tenements that stood
Aligned with others of its kind; in praise
Of former days I'd trade for if I could |
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| This talented shop worker started on
the tool job just before World War II. One of his most
arduous tasks was to instruct women how to machine tools for
war parts. And one of his most pleasant jobs he had as a
lad, was with women during the days he was a golf caddie at
the Whitinsville Golf Course. He got to know all of the
Lasells and the "First Ladies", as he called them. Russell
spoke at length of his days in the New Village section of
Northbridge, as his opening poem reflects. He noticed a
particular spirit of cooperation and understanding between
all ethnic groups, and used this as a topic also to be found
in another poem, one of more than 240 poetic works he has
composed in his lifetime. A modest and unassuming man, this
mill worker also dabbled at writing one-act plays
(Reference: Article 13 : Some Creations and Collections of
Mill Workers). During an initial gathering held in 1998 at
the Whitin Center, Russell detailed his career at "THE
SHOP". He held the complete attention of all when he
mentioned and later read some of his poems that he compiled
and later sold for the benefit of the Whitin Social Library.
Also on hand were some original tools which he passed around
for all to examine. This man also made his presence known at
"Picnic in the Park" held at the Whitin Center where all
newcomers would learn about the Whitin R.O.S.E. I salute
this worker and dare to say that his work is not fully
appreciated by all town residents. However, the more one
reads Russell Bailey's poems, the stronger his spirit and
that of the Whitin R.O.S.E. becomes. |
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Edward B.
Postma |
BORN: 1905
YEARS OF SERVICE: 51 |
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| When one speaks of commitment, service,
and seniority, these values apply to Mr. Edward B. Postma. I
cannot envision the work conditions when he first appeared
ready for work at "THE SHOP" in 1919. His father told him
that he had to learn a trade. So, Ed started as a
toolmaker's helper and worked his way up to Forman in the
Tool Maintenance Department of the Whitin Machine Works. He
told a marvelous story about his employment at the first
seminar of the Whitin R.O.S.E. He mentioned that E.Kent
Swift, in making his rounds each Friday throughout "THE
SHOP", would greet him and call him by his Dutch name,
"Ynte". Ed went on to explain how tools were designed,
labeled, and categorized for storage so that Whitin quality
could be maintained. He related how retooling was essential
during World War II and told how later on the Whitins
devised a system to insure that tools or their ideas would
not be stolen or copied. Ongoing education and training was
vital, even if it meant traveling to So. Carolina to have
classes. This particular worker remained dedicated to
vocational education, and in addition to his rather lengthy
career with "THE SHOP", Ed has been an active member and
Town Representative on the Board of the Blackstone Valley
Regional Vocation High School since 1963. One certainly has
to admire him for not only his longevity but for his warmth.
Ed's patience also is in keeping with his wisdom. Of all the
workers of "THE SHOP" that this writer has interviewed, this
man has taught me the most. |
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W. Charles
Commons, Jr. |
BORN: 1913
YEARS OF SERVICE: 29 |
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| This man started working in "THE SHOP"
in 1938. First it was in the Cost Department, then in
Time-keeping, next was Engineering , and finally the Highway
Department. His career was twice interrupted by World War II
and the Shop Strike of 1946. Then he left briefly and served
in the Air National Guard, later on retiring as Colonel. But
in his career with Whitin, W. Charles mentions the nature
and character of several of his coworkers: the late Fire
Chief, Phillip B. Walker; Whitinsville Water Company
Commissioner and Engineer, Delwyn K. Barnes; Assistant Fire
Chief and Engineer, Leonard Brock; and a Design Engineer of
the highest caliber, H. Cedrick Andrews. At times struggling
with his memory, W. Charles exuded pride and contentment at
having served both his company and community well for almost
30 years. Although not in the best of health at the time of
this interview, W. Charles insisted on telling his story,
and his narration lasts almost one hour. |
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Roland W.
Beaudoin |
BORN: 1935
YEARS OF SERVICE: 18 |
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| Although Roland is the youngest of all
shop workers to be interviewed, and has the least years
worked in "THE SHOP", he gave amazing details and a great
history of his employer, namely the Whitin Machine Works
Credit Union. He started his employment in 1956. First, he
worked as a time keeper on the second shift, and next as a
planner before he settled into the Payroll Department. Bill
Hall and Dick Sansoucy were his bosses then. But opportunity
presented itself after he worked in General Accounting under
Wayne Stinson and Jim Graham. He worked for Howard Cook
awhile when he was an accountant. Then, just 14 years later,
upon hearing of the retirement of Mr. Ernest Hartshorn, the
Treasurer-Manager of the W.M.W. Credit Union for over 36
years, Roland applied for the open position as new
Treasurer-Manager, and was hired. He admits that many,
including Bob Wood and Henry Crawford, were immeasurably
helpful in his managerial position. He also said the Whitin
Machine Works and its credit union gave him the background,
experience, and knowledge to deal with financial situations
and family investments. He also credits the Whitin Machine
Works for giving him the "know-how" to deal with people in
the community. Roland has many sentiments to share about
living in the Town of Northbridge. His position at this time
is Branch Manager of the Whitinsville Office of the Webster
First Federal Credit Union. Roland now works part time at
Foxy Travel in Linwood. |
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