"Pep" was truly a unique individual, and a lifelong friend. He was graduated with us , but he was an alum of several classes. He died in 2003, and made me promise to take him down the "Golden Mile" on the way to the cemetery. If you didn't know, that was Pep's name for Church Street.
He would show up, unexpectedly, at my house, to "get the WASP off the hill", for an hour or so, and Sam knew not to wait up, because Ron's idea of an hour or so was different than most folks'.
There are so many stories about Pep, most of them true, and none of them can be repeated here. He could be sooo politically incorrect, and as crude as you can imagine, but he was a loyal friend, who always told it like he saw it.
YOU CAN BET MY SURPRISE IN THE SIXTIES WHEN I WAS IN LITTLE CREEK VA. AND THIS LOAD VOICE YELL OUT (SOMETHING I CAN"T REPEAT) AND THERE STAND '' PEP'' IN UNIFORM. DIDN'T KNOW HE HAD PAST. BUT HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. BUD BOUTIETTE
Was thinking about my many adventures with Ron, and one stuck out. I think he either knew of or had been in every bar, lounge, and nightclub in central and eastern MA. His exploits in Vegas were legendary.
One after-hours joint we went to on numerous ocassions was the Mt. Laurel Fish and Chip in Worcester. Yes, you could get food upstairs, but it was the downstairs that was most interesting. Before going down, you would order a drink.
The owner would pour a double shot of whiskey into a flimsy paper cup. Remember, this was after all of the upscale establishments had closed for the night, so one had to be discreet. I remember the first time walking down the stairs, to find that I was the only white guy in the place. It's what you could call an "Oh Shit" moment. Ron was darker skinned and fit in much better than me. Plus he knew the territory, having been there many times before my first visit with him.
Sitting down at a table, trying to act really cool, and looking around the room was a revelation. Sitting and standing around were perhaps 15 - 20 ladies of the night. Yes, they were dressed as you'd expect, and eye-balled me especially as fresh meat - a potential 'John'.
Ron told me to put all the quarters that I had on the edge of the table. He did the same. Once done a few ladies came over to our table and asked if they could have the quarters for the juke box. "Why of course", we said. After that, no one stared at us, including what must have been the pimps. We'd paid the price of admission.
The pattern repeated itself on future visits. I have Ron to thank for an experience that would never have happened without him and his passion for going down roads less travelled.
When we were 14 or 15 and the golf club only had caddies Pep was the Don of the caddy shack. The caddy shack was an awful place on the far side of the club parking lot. It was wooden, open on the side facing the pro shop with benches along the inside walls which were covered with carved graffiti. It was first come first serve to caddy and you had to earn respect to stay for your turn. I never saw Pep get angry or agressive but he could make your life pretty miserable. One of his favorite pranks was to put his lit butts in your pant cuffs.
Doug Carr
"Pep" was truly a unique individual, and a lifelong friend. He was graduated with us , but he was an alum of several classes. He died in 2003, and made me promise to take him down the "Golden Mile" on the way to the cemetery. If you didn't know, that was Pep's name for Church Street.
He would show up, unexpectedly, at my house, to "get the WASP off the hill", for an hour or so, and Sam knew not to wait up, because Ron's idea of an hour or so was different than most folks'.
There are so many stories about Pep, most of them true, and none of them can be repeated here. He could be sooo politically incorrect, and as crude as you can imagine, but he was a loyal friend, who always told it like he saw it.
Richard Boutiette
YOU CAN BET MY SURPRISE IN THE SIXTIES WHEN I WAS IN LITTLE CREEK VA. AND THIS LOAD VOICE YELL OUT (SOMETHING I CAN"T REPEAT) AND THERE STAND '' PEP'' IN UNIFORM. DIDN'T KNOW HE HAD PAST. BUT HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. BUD BOUTIETTE
Kenneth Pendergast
Was thinking about my many adventures with Ron, and one stuck out. I think he either knew of or had been in every bar, lounge, and nightclub in central and eastern MA. His exploits in Vegas were legendary.
One after-hours joint we went to on numerous ocassions was the Mt. Laurel Fish and Chip in Worcester. Yes, you could get food upstairs, but it was the downstairs that was most interesting. Before going down, you would order a drink.
The owner would pour a double shot of whiskey into a flimsy paper cup. Remember, this was after all of the upscale establishments had closed for the night, so one had to be discreet. I remember the first time walking down the stairs, to find that I was the only white guy in the place. It's what you could call an "Oh Shit" moment. Ron was darker skinned and fit in much better than me. Plus he knew the territory, having been there many times before my first visit with him.
Sitting down at a table, trying to act really cool, and looking around the room was a revelation. Sitting and standing around were perhaps 15 - 20 ladies of the night. Yes, they were dressed as you'd expect, and eye-balled me especially as fresh meat - a potential 'John'.
Ron told me to put all the quarters that I had on the edge of the table. He did the same. Once done a few ladies came over to our table and asked if they could have the quarters for the juke box. "Why of course", we said. After that, no one stared at us, including what must have been the pimps. We'd paid the price of admission.
The pattern repeated itself on future visits. I have Ron to thank for an experience that would never have happened without him and his passion for going down roads less travelled.
RIP old friend.
George Waters
When we were 14 or 15 and the golf club only had caddies Pep was the Don of the caddy shack. The caddy shack was an awful place on the far side of the club parking lot. It was wooden, open on the side facing the pro shop with benches along the inside walls which were covered with carved graffiti. It was first come first serve to caddy and you had to earn respect to stay for your turn. I never saw Pep get angry or agressive but he could make your life pretty miserable. One of his favorite pranks was to put his lit butts in your pant cuffs.