[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 43 (Monday, April 20, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3301-S3302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO LEO LAKIN, GREEN THUMB CENTENARIAN FROM GARDNER, 
                             MASSACHUSETTS

 Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, at more than two centuries and 
counting, America is a nation ever maturing with greater wisdom, 
experience, morality and humanity. For this we can thank many of our 
most senior citizens who continue to set proud examples of daily life, 
and who remind us of our rich and proud heritage as a nation of caring 
individuals. Leo Lakin of Gardner, Massachusetts--who will turn 100 
years old on May 26th--is one such American.
  Millions of our friends and neighbors distinguish themselves every 
day as parents, small business owners, educators, and in every other 
personal dimension and chosen profession of American life. There are 
those, however, who stand out as role models for their families and 
their communities. Leo wears these titles effortlessly and modestly, 
which is one reason why our Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman, our 
Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala, and Green Thumb, 
Inc. honored Leo as ``an outstanding older worker'' at the first Prime 
Time Awards Dinner on March 12, 1998 in Washington, DC.
  Praise of Leo has been both modest and inspirational. In her 
nominating letter to Green Thumb, Inc., Marcia Hopper of Gardner's 
downtown association wrote that ``Mr. Lakin's work ethic of kindness, 
compassion, generosity, and thoughtfulness to customers has brought him 
a loyal following based on both business and friendship. Many of his 
current customers are fourth generation.'' Pete Trudel, another long-
time business owner in Gardner, said of Leo, ``He's intelligent and 
knowledgeable. He has always kept up with the latest business trends. 
He's personable and loves people. He always remains calm. He's just a 
lovely, lovely man.''
  Leo Lakin was born in Boston on May 26, 1898. The Lakin family moved 
to Southbridge, Massachusetts when Leo was a small child. Leo became 
bilingual as he grew up, as the French American community in 
Southbridge was large, and speaking French served Leo and his family 
well. His father, Phillip, was able to develop deep roots into the 
community. Philip Lakin became known for more than owning a dry goods 
store. He was always helping some less fortunate person with food, 
clothing or a place to stay. That strong sense of community became part 
of Leo's life, just as a strong sense of family had been instilled in 
Leo from a very early age.
  Leo and his 4 brothers--Celec, Louis, Eddy and Bob--were extremely 
close to each other. Phillip had been a widower with 5 children when he 
married a young widow, Annie, who had a daughter, Sarah. Leo idolized 
his parents. When he was about 11 years of age, he overheard his 
parents speaking in Yiddish, expressing the hope that some day after 
their passing one of their sons would be sufficiently well versed in 
Jewish tradition to be able to say the Mourner's Kaddish to honor and 
respect their memories. Overhearing this conversation had an enormous 
impact on Leo's life. He promised himself that he would honor his 
parents in this way, and the study of Hebrew and Jewish tradition was a 
vital aspect of Leo's youth. He has spent many, many years helping to 
conduct synagogue services and enjoying the richness of Jewish studies.
  Leo left high school after his freshman year and went to work for the 
American Optical Company, one of the largest lens manufacturers in the 
world at that time. His career there began as so many do in America, 
with a summer job. Leo stayed for several years but eventually he 
longed for the freedom he could experience as an entrepreneur. In 1922 
he and his brother Eddy opened Lakin's Brothers, a men's store located 
in Gardner's Webster Square. In 1933, relatives in Fall River 
introduced him to Ida Gollis, a personal shopper at the Outlet Company 
in Providence, Rhode Island. They married on June 2, 1935. To this day, 
Leo says, ``She's the best thing that has ever happened to me.''
  In 1935, children's specialty stores were en vogue. Gardner was a 
virtual boom town known as ``The Chair City of the World.'' Heywood 
Wakefield, Gem Crib and Cradle, Nichols and Stone, Florence Stove, and 
Simplex Time Recorder called Gardner home. Two weeks after their 
marriage, Leo and Ida opened Lakin's Children's Shop. And just like 
Leo's dad had done, they observed an important ethic of treating their 
customers with the respect and kindness, never pressured a purchase, 
and made everyone feel welcome.
  For the next 51 years, Leo and Ida survived every challenge from the 
Great Depression to the rise of shopping malls and the demise of many 
small downtowns. Only Ida's death in June of 1986 ended that 
partnership on this earth. Leo continued to run the store, and his 
customers remained loyal and supportive. The store has remained the 
cornerstone of Leo's vitality, and a force that will not be beaten. In 
March of 1993, Leo broke his arm at work and recovered. In February of 
1994, he contracted pneumonia and recovered. That July, he broke his 
hip at work, had a replacement at the age of 96, made a complete 
recovery, and returned to work 6 days a week.
  During the 6 months of Leo's recuperation from hip surgery, his 
daughter Phyllis ran the store for him knowing that Leo needed the 
promise of returning to work in order to recover. She worked full time 
at Harvard Medical School, but with the help of close friends Jean 
Johnson, Beverly Black, and Claudette Jackowski, Phyllis kept the 
spirit of Lakin's alive in mind, body and soul as Leo had always done: 
with their customers in mind. Phyllis has since decided that the family 
legacy of her father and grandfather will go on, and that eventually 
she will carry on the tradition her parents began in 1935. ``As long as 
I'm alive, Lakin's is alive!'' she says.
  Leo broke his leg on Nov 3, 1997, which was why he could not attend 
the Prime Time awards in the Capital this March. Leo has been a 
tireless and courageous patient, continually amazes old and new friends 
alike, touches all with his faith, optimism, and kindness, and plans to 
return to the work and people he loves so much.

[[Page S3302]]

  Mr. President, we often wonder what America and the world we live in 
will be like in the 21st Century. We wonder about our children and the 
values they are learning today in school, at home, on television, and 
from each other. We can only hope that as they navigate so many diverse 
and dynamic forces in their lives that there will also be a Leo Lakin 
or two to give them a sense of history, community, family, and hope for 
the future as he has most certainly given to all who know and love him 
in Gardner, Massachusetts.

                          ____________________