| JUNE 14, 2013 -- by Betty Jane Gardiner
During my early years in our Order there was a young man in Beacon Grange who everybody knew was destined to “go places.” He was active in the youth group and was a bit of a mischief maker. He was known as the fella from Connecticut who was the leader of fun at the conferences – although he had a serious side as well. He loved the Grange and knew the work well.
I recall his coming to our Grange (West Hartford) for a neighbor’s night the evening following a national election for president- the first one in which he was old enough to vote! He was so proud of having had the priviledge to cast his ballot- and his candidate WON! He was so excited and enthusiastic that you just knew he would always be that way about everything he did.
When Alma Brooks started the King and Queen Contest (later called the Prince and Princess Contest) Dave was the first contestant from Mountain County Pomona and he was given the title of State Grange King! It went on from there.
He possessed such a rich booming voice and a personality to match. He was called upon to be the narrator for many Lecturer’s programs.
He had a great attraction to the Massachusetts State Grange- her name was Barbara and she was a beautiful girl who became his wife and the mother of his children - David, Robbie and Tracy. Sadly, Barbara was called to the Great Grange Above at a very young age.
David served the United States as a Marine. He put his heart and soul into that service - just as he did into everything else.
He served Beacon Grange #118 as Master for many years. One night as Master of Mountain County Pomona, Dave was escorted to the Master’s Station at Farmington Valley Pomona and brought the place down when he planted a big kiss upon Farmington Valley’s Master, Ben Barr- who just about fainted! Well, after all, it was one of the famous Kissin’ Cousins Nights between the two Pomonas!!
David served the State Grange as Deputy and was elected to the office of State Gatekeeper. Everyone was pleased when he started his long journey toward the office of State Master! Sue Addison wanted to make him a special case for carrying his pink sash- and asked him what he would like - well- Sue always said she bet Dave was the only State Officer anywhere who carried his sash in a patriotic case trimmed with gold braid and the U.S. Marine’s emblem!!
As a state officer you travel the state a lot. David had to take the same route where there was a long stretch of road where deer were very active. They say lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place- but on that particular route nobody told the deer, and THREE times a deer (our should I say three deer) ran into his car- damaging the car and totaling the third- an almost new vehicle. He had tried to avoid the situation but it just didn’t work. It really wasn’t funny, until you heard Dave tell the story. He loved his Grange - Beacon #118, but he wasn’t fond of Route 118!!!
David worked hard for the State Grange, but ill health made it necessary for him to drop out of the officer line-up after being State Assistant Steward. It wasn’t long after that when we lost him.
He was a hard person to forget- but please remember David Seelye! |
