In Memoriam

Jack Gesemyer

Jack worked in the insurance industry on Main Street in Saco. He was one of the first "recruits" in the proposed Saco Bay Rotary club.  He helped to recruit many of the original charter members of the club. Unfortunately Jack passed away prior to the chartering of the club in November 1989.  The club has honored him by naming its most prestigious award for the "Rotarian of the Year" as The Jack Gesemyer Award.

Charles B. Snow

2/7/48-6/1/98

Charlie Snow was born in Maine and graduated from Thornton Academy. He was drafted into the Army and saw action in Vietnam. In Vietnam he stepped on a land mine and subsequently lost a leg.

After being discharged from the service he returned to Maine and settled back in Saco. He did some of his first "service" work volunteering to assist disabled veterans. He married Donna in 1968 and subsequently had two children. He got involved in Little League and served as the president of the Maremont League. He worked for Saco and Biddeford Savings Bank and rose to the position of Vice President of Human Resources.

A charter member of Saco Bay Rotary, Charlie served as one of the first directors and the first Sargent at Arms. He was made a Paul Harris Fellow in 1992 and served as president in 1995-1996. During his year as President, Saco Bay Rotary won more awards than any other club at the District Conference. Charlie and Glen Hodge worked on new member development together. They came up with the idea of the "black hat club" and membership grew to its highest level during this time. He recruited more members than any other member of this club. Charlie received the following designations:

1992   Service Above Self Award

1993  Jack Gesemyer Award

1994   Presidential Recognition Award (new members)

Rotarian of the Year, Distinguished Service Citation

(Helping flood victims in Iowa), Service above Self

Award from Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club,

Presidential recognition for membership growth,

Rotary Foundation District Service Award

1995  Certificate of Appreciation- Paul Harris Committee and TV

Auction Committee, President’s Citation

 He was also on the board of directors of Thornton Academy and the Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce.

He truly was a man who lived the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self"

R. Glen Hodge

4/15/52-12/18/99

Glenn was born in Maine and graduated from Old Orchard Beach High School. He served in the Air Force from 1975 to 1979.

In 1976 he married Denise and they subsequently had a daughter Haillie.

He owned and operated Achieve Marketing.

He joined Saco Bay Rotary in 1994 and from the beginning was active in membership development. He and Charlie Snow worked out the details of the "black hat club" which originally used black cowboy hats. During this time membership reached an all time high.

During Glenn’s illness he was always positive and upbeat. He knew the chemotherapy was going to cause his hair to fall out. Instead of worrying about it he decided to hold a raffle. If you correctly guessed the day his hair fell out you would win half the pot with the other half going to the American Cancer Society.

Charlie Snow recruited more members but Glen came in a close second.

Robert P. Ouellette

11/4/51-5/26/01

Bob grew up in Saco and decided to stay and prosper in this city. From the time he was very young he had a talent to gather people together. He was a true leader. During his high school years at Thornton Academy he led the class of 1970 as President for four years.

After college and serving in the Army. Bob owned several businesses until he found the world of real estate. Bob included Lise, his wife, in all his endeavors and together they bought Drown Agency and later Prudential Prime Properties Bay Realty.

Bob enjoyed his wife's country of origin, Canada; in fact they purchased a condo in the old part of Quebec City. They shared it with family and friends.

Bob served his community as Director of Dyer Library and York Museum. He also was the Chairman of the Historical Commission. He led his agents and office personnel in collecting toys at Christmas for the Toys of Tots Program. He served as a mentor in the Jump-Start Program.

Bob was a Charter member of Saco Bay Rotary.

Jay Y. Clark

8/9/38-10/23/03

Jay was born in Boston and graduated from Stonehill College in Easton, MA with a degree in economics.  Jay was previously employed by American Steel in South Portland.  He later entered the real estate business and was proprietor of Jay Clark Associates and at the time of his passing was a partner with Signature Realty

Jay was married to his wife Maureen for 35 years and they raised three children, Jay C. , Jonathan and Hilary.

Jay was a charter member of Saco Bay and served as the treasurer of the club for one year.  During this year, Jay unfortunately had a stroke, but he continued to perform his duties as he learned to write with his other hand.  

Al Lehman

2/3/26-6/22/06

Al's life was a series of many unexpected twists. He grew up in New York, yet he lived most of his adult life in California. He finally retired to Maine.

The initial path for his early adult life took a sharp turn due to WW II. He served as a combat infantryman in Patton's 3rd Army during the Battle of the Bulge.

Returning home, he graduated from Adelphi University with a degree in accounting. Then he headed west to become a businessman, building a Fullerton California company that supplied upscale department stores with custom draperies. After moving to Palm Springs, he saw an opportunity to furnish the local hotel industry with custom window coverings and carpeting.

Marrying Marea Corsini in June of 1951, Al built a new life that included his step-daughter Paula, and son Mark and daughter Lisa.

Al was very proud of his family, especially his grandchildren, Holly and Ian. He was an active

Rotarian for many years, and sometimes indulged his artistic talent by painting. But Al was happiest meeting and greeting new people and old friends.