McCauley & Gautreau To Be Memorialized On Revere Beach
October 30, 2012
BOSTON – Speaker of the House Robert A. DeLeo joined Representative Kathi-Anne Reinstein to announce the House of Representatives has passed two bills designating separate memorials on Revere Beach for historian Peter McCauley and artist Norman Gautreau. The two bills are a revision of one (Bill H.2022) filed by Representative Kathi-Anne Reinstein in January of 2011 that ensured areas of the beach would be reserved to honor both men before current development plans were conceived.
Mr. McCauley was a lifelong Revere resident. He graduated from Revere High School in 1941 and went on to graduate from Wentworth Institute in 1943. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and member of the National Association of Disabled American Veterans. He was a State Official for the State Racing Commission at Wonderland and served as Sealor of Weight & Measures for the City of Revere.
Mr. McCauley became the most prominent historian of Revere Beach. A founding member of Revere Society for Cultural & Historic Preservation (RSCHP), he also published seven books about the city and beach's history including Memories of Revere Beach in 1989. Mr. McCauley was instrumental in organizing the Centennial Celebration of Revere Beach which saw thousands gather at America's first public beach in 1996.
Mr. McCauley was married to his wife Mary (McCormick) for 59 years before he passed in 2009 at the age of 86. Mary McCauley, Donna Testa, Peter McCauley, Jr. and Virginia Cerretani, offered this statement on behalf of their family: "Our family is delighted at the thought of honoring Dad/Peter with a memorial on Revere Beach. He was a passionate advocate who honored the City of Revere every day of his life. He exuded enthusiasm for Revere Beach, so we are equally enthusiastic that he be honored in this manner."
Bill H.4457 creates the Norman Gautreau Memorial Pavilions. The two Revere Beach Pavilions are located across from Revere Street.
Mr. Gautreau was born in Lynn and one of his favorite pastimes as a child was visiting Revere Beach. He attended Lynn Classical High School before leaving school to help support his family. He served in the Army during World War II and was stationed in Italy.
Mr. Gautreau was a world renowned artist, his creations portray many places and depict many scenes and events. He was most well-known for his series of historic Revere paintings, hundreds of prints are owned and loved by many, particularly on the North Shore. The city of Revere owns several of his original paintings. Many of Mr. Gautreau's paintings have adorned the covers of Boston Publications. His famous painting "Cyclone Roller Coaster-Revere Beach" appeared on the cover of the Boston Globe Magazine in 1965. Mr. Gautreau's work has been exhibited at numerous places including the Massachusetts State House and the Revere Historical Society. Among Mr. Gautreau's numerous accolades, he was named Citizen of the Year in 1997 by the City of Revere and also received a Commendation for Distinction from the City of Revere.
Mr. Gautreau was married to Rose (Bernard) for 65 years before she passed in 2005. The Gautreau's moved from Chelsea to Revere in 1949. They called Revere home for over 50 years while raising their 4 children. Mr. Gautreau passed away at the age of 90 in 2007. The children of Norman and Rose Gautreau, Carol Bent, Janice Studebaker, Joanne Gaffney and Norman G. Gautreau, offered this statement on behalf of their family including many grandchildren and great grandchildren: “We are thrilled to learn that the Massachusetts legislature has decided to honor our father by naming the Revere Street pavilions after him. Dad loved Revere Beach as is evidenced by the many paintings he made of the beach in its heyday. Indeed, he met Ma at Revere Beach and they no doubt frequently sat under one of these pavilions gazing at the Cyclone looming above them (which he famously painted) and thinking about their future together, a future they would have been astonished to know included having these pavilions named after Dad. How delighted and honored they would have been!”
Legislators and local officials were excited about the news and praised both men for their invaluable contributions.
“I want to congratulate Leader Reinstein and Speaker DeLeo for passing this legislation to honor two great men,” Congressman Ed Markey said. “I had the pleasure of working with both Norman and Peter for over 30 years to promote this beautiful and historic beach. My heartfelt thanks go out to the Gautreau and McCauley families for allowing Norman and Peter to share their great talents with the entire community throughout their lives.”
“I am proud to stand with Leader Reinstein in support of memorializing two of Revere’s most respected intellectuals, Peter McCauley and Norman Gautreau, through dedicating city structures in their honor,” said Speaker DeLeo. “Their contributions to the community and to the entire state are not to be forgotten.”
"I am just thrilled for the families of these men, men I was fortunate enough to call dear friends," Representative Reinstein said. "I think it is fitting these tributes will stand on the beach they both dearly loved and in the city they were so proud to call home. Peter and Norman's legacies will endure as their work will be cherished by future generations of Revere families.”
“Norman Gautreau and Peter McCauley used their time, talent and efforts to enrich the lives of our residents and preserve the great history of our city,” Mayor Dan Rizzo said. “I am thankful to our delegation for working to recognize both men for the incredible contributions they made to Revere.”