'His loss is immeasurable': Remembering longtime Gardner City Councilor Ronald Cormier
City officials are remembering the “dean of the Gardner City Council.”
Ronald Cormier, the longest-serving city councilor in Gardner’s history, passed away suddenly on Sunday at the age of 81. He was currently serving his 10th consecutive term as Councilor-at-Large, a position he held since 2004. Prior to that, he was the Ward 3 Councilor from 1980 until 1996.
Cormier was remembered by Mayor Michael Nicholson as a strong advocate for the community and a friend to many.
“To me, personally, he was a colleague, a mentor, friend, and my former principal at Holy Rosary School during my middle school years,” said Nicholson, who ordered the city’s flag to be lowered in Cormier’s memory. “I feel confident in saying there is not a single aspect of this city, a project or initiative undertaken by its government, or an idea that was brought up in the last four decades that did not have his advice, input, or impact on.”
Decades of service to the city of Gardner
Cormier served a total of 19 terms in various capacities representing the citizens of Gardner. He was on the School Board at Holy Rosary School/Holy Family Academy, director of the J. Ulysse Cormier Student Government program, a member of the Gardner Redevelopment Authority, sat on the Levi Heywood Memorial Library board of trustees, was a member of the Gardner Elementary School Building Committee, served as Ward 3 City Councilor from 1980 to 1996, and as Councilor at Large from 2004 to present.
“When I got hired as an intern and later as Executive Aide for former Mayor Hawke, Ron was one of the first people to reach out and congratulate me,” Nicholson recalled. “Both then and each time I was reelected he would reach out and say ‘I’m happy to be working with you, but it’s as your former principal that I’m proud of you.’ He would stop by my office three to four times a week just to check in and see how things were going….he was truly a great guy who will truly be missed.”
Fellow councilors remember Cormier as mentor and friend
Councilor at Large Judy Mack called Cormier a dedicated civil servant, and said it had been an honor to have served with him.
“He loved the city of Gardner and gave so much to the community, his loss is immeasurable,” Mack said. “I personally will miss his gentle manner of speaking at the council table and the insights he shared. Councilor Cormier served as a mentor to many of us on the city council over the years. His legacy of service to the city is one that will never be forgotten or repeated.”
Councilor-at-Large Calvin Brooks noted that Cormier had been a modest man who dedicated himself to making his city a better place to live.
"He talked quietly with other councilors and the mayor, educating them on how to get things done and building a consensus on what was best for the city," Brooks said. "He will be greatly missed."
Cormier began his career in local politics when he was appointed to the Gardner Airport Commission in 1976. He claimed to have been the only councilor in the city’s history to have had a pilot’s license.
"Ron was a true gentleman with a sharp sense of humor and warm disposition," said City Council President Elizabeth Kazinskas. "I admired his deep devotion to his family and his friends, and his exceptional commitment to our community. With more years of experience in Gardner city government than anyone else, he brought perspective to the City Council that only he could. I am honored to have served with him and fortunate to have learned from him."
"Ron's presence in the Council Chamber will certainly be missed," Kazinsksas added.
"Kind, wise, and knowledgeable," is how Ward 4 Councillor Karen Hardern described the man she served alongside for six terms. "A steady hand in times of turmoil but most of all a loving family man who had endless devotion to the city and its people."
“This one hurts,” said Ward 2 Councilor Dana Heath. “Councilor Cormier was a great husband, father, friend, mentor, and one of the biggest assets to the city of Gardner. His value to the community is unmatched. When he smiles, you smile.”
Ward 5 Councilor Alek Dernalowoicz called Cormier a warm and welcoming presence, one ready to advise and guide new and veteran councillors alike.
"He was a wealth of knowledge in regards to the workings of city government and history of the city of Gardner," Dernalowicz said. "His longevity in serving the community through the Council and the litany of other boards, commissions, and civic groups is unparalleled and will leave a lasting impression on Greater Gardner for years. His passing leaves a gaping hole in the community and my deepest condolences go out to the Cormier family."
Paul Tassone, Ward 3 Councillor, called Cormier a mentor and a friend.
"His knowledge of our city went unmatched," Tassone explained. "From the first time I met Ron until just last week at our GRA meeting, he brought smiles to people's faces and always made you feel how much he cared."
Councilor-at-Large George Tyros called Cormier a tremendous example of what it means to show up for your community.
"His many years of dedication to public service and civic engagement in a variety of roles across community organizations and municipal government, especially the City Council, will leave positive impacts across our community thanks to Ron," Tyros said. "I'll always remember the way in which Ron put particular care and thought into his statements during debate that promoted healthy, productive discussion for the betterment of the city."
Recently elected Ward 1 City Councilor David Thibault-Munoz said he would miss the opportunity to work with Cormier.
"Although I am new to Gardner and the City Council, Ron in just the short time I knew him went out of his way to make me feel welcomed and supprted," he said.
Cormier attended Fitchburg State University, Worcester State College, and Boston College. He served as an educator and administrator in the Fitchburg Public School system. He and his wife, Marcelle, also served as administrators at the former Holy Rosary School for several years.
Cormier is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marcelle, and two children - Pamela Cormier of Centerville, and son Craig Cormier, who also currently serves on Gardner City Council and several grandchildren.
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This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Ronald Cormier, longtime Gardner City Council member, dies at 81
