Published at February 6, 2013
in Atlanta, Bowman-Gray, Daytona, Eastern States, Lonsdale, Martinsville, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR WMT, NEAR, New Egypt, Norwood, Nostalgia, Plainville, Riverside Park, Seekonk, South Boston, Stafford, Thompson, Waterford and Westboro.
FOOTE, Melvin “Red,” 85, of Chesterfield, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 3, 2013. Red is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Loretta Foote; his stepdaughter, Linda Strasburg; stepgrandson, Michael (TiAnna) Talley; stepgranddaughter, Michelle (Richard) King; sisters-in-law, Rev. Beverly J. Samford and Julianna Duke.
Red enjoyed racing stockcars for 35 years, is formerly known as one of the “Eastern Bandits” and was inducted into the New England Hall of Fame for racecar drivers in 1999. After retirement he spent much time at Newpoint Campground on his boat fishing. Red was devoted to his cats and his good friends at Dutchgap. Red will be remembered for his quick wit, humor and willingness to help others and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 7 at Morrissett Funeral and Cremation Service, 6500 Iron Bridge Rd (Rte 10). His graveside service will be February 8, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Bethel UMC Cemetery in Alberta, Va., with the Rev. Beverly J. Samford officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Richmond SPCA at 2519 Hermitage Road, Richmond, Va. 23220.
Continue reading ‘NEAR Hall of Famer Red Foote Passes at 85′
It was learned Sunday, July 15 that New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame member “Wild Bill” Slater has passed-away.
Arrangements are incomplete at this time.
A member of the first-class inducted into the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1998, Slater drove his first race at Lonsdale R.I. in 1949 and for the next twenty years he won at tracks from Oxford Plains Maine to Trenton New Jersey.
He was a four time champion at the Norwood Arena and a two-time Sportsmen champion at Thompson. He won on the dirt at Stafford and on the pavement He was often a top-three finisher in the NASCAR National Sportsman championship run, even though he raced against full time drivers while he held down a weekly job.
Continue reading ‘NEAR Hall of Fame Member “Wild Bill” Slater Passes at Age 83′
Published at January 30, 2012
in Airborne, Albany-Saratoga, Autodrome St. Eustache, Beech Ridge, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Daytona, Dover, Eastern States, Holland, Hudson, Keene, Lakeville, Langley, Lee USA, Lonsdale, Martinsville, Monadnock, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, NASCAR WMT, NEAR, New Smyrna, NHMS, Norwood, Nostalgia, Oswego, Oxford Plains, Plainville, Pro 4 Mod, Riverhead, Riverside Park, Seekonk, South Boston, Spencer, Stafford, Star, Thompson, Twin State, USAC, Utica-Rome, W. Peabody, Wall, Waterford, Westboro and Wiscasset.
East Windsor, CT — On Sunday January 29, The New England Antique Racers (NEAR), presented the 15th annual New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame Inductions. Award-winning sportswriter Matt Buckler served as Master of Ceremonies for the well-attended event held at LaRenaissance Banquet Hall in East Windsor, CT.
Receiving induction honors this year were drivers Reggie Ruggiero, Joey Kourafas, Moe Gherzi, Jerry Humiston, and Roland Lapierre Sr., owner/mechanics Mario Fiore and Jim Jorgensen and track operator Irene Venditti.
Though not present due to prior commitments, longtime Northern media personality Dave Moody was the recipient of the prestigious “Jack Ratta Memorial Media Award.” Veteran auto racing journalist and Hall of Fame Member Pete Zanardi received the Danny Pardi Memorial Award for his many contributions to NEAR over the years.
A pivotal figure during the formative years of the sport and truly one of the regions earliest stars, Moe Gherzi came to stock cars following a brief fling with midget racing during the busy post-war era. Gherzi won for some of the best teams in the early days of the sport while displaying a flashy style which became his trademark. Nicknamed “Moneybags” owed to a knack of winning many big-dollar events, he tasted success at virtually all of the regions tracks. He later served as the longtime Racing Director at Connecticut’s Plainville Stadium. Accepting for her late father from presenter Dave Dykes was Ms. Alma Michaud.
[Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
Continue reading ‘NEAR Presents “Class of 2012” At 15th Annual New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame Inductions’
Published at November 17, 2011
in Keene, Lee USA, Lonsdale, Martinsville, Monadnock, NEAR, Norwood, Nostalgia, Plainville, Riverside Park, Seekonk, Stafford, Star, Thompson, Utica-Rome, W. Peabody, Wall and Waterford.
A trio of modified racing pioneers – Moe Gherzi, Jerry Humiston and Roland Lapierre – are the veterans committee selections to join the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame Class of 2012.
The trio will be inducted along with drivers Reggie Ruggiero and Joey Kourafas, owner/mechanics Mario Fiore and Jim Jorgensen and track operators/promoters Irene Venditti and Donald Hoenig at the 15th annual Hall of Fame Banquet on Sunday Jan. 29 at the LaRenaissance Banquet Hall in East Windsor, CT.
Ticket information and order forms will be available soon on the NEAR website (www.NEAR1.com).
The colorful Gherzi was one of Southern New England’s first racing stars. Driving for a number of owners including the Scambato and Garuti families, Gherzi, who started in the Midgets, built an impressive stock car resume in the formative years at Plainville Stadium, Riverside Park and the Waterford Speedbowl. Following his 25-plus years in the cockpit, Gherzi was racing director at Plainville.
Continue reading ‘Gherzi, Humiston, Lapierre Hall of Fame Inductees’
Noel A. Lapierre
BURRILLVILLE- Noel A. Lapierre, 87, of Douglas Pike, died Sunday, May 30, 2010 at home. Devoted father and husband, loved by all who knew him, he was married sixty-two years to the late Aurore M. (Plouffe) Lapierre who recently passed on April 26th.
Born in Woonsocket, he was the son of the late Philemon and Anna (Lefebvre) Lapierre.
Mr. Lapierre worked over twenty years as a truck driver for the former Nelson’s Freightways and Laramee Trucking, both in Woonsocket. He also worked for twelve years as a burner/grinder for Electric Boat, retiring in 1987. A WWII Army Veteran, he was a member of the American Legion and the Teamsters.
He is survived by four children, Leo Lapierre and his wife, Simonne of No. Smithfield, Jacqueline Dionne and her husband, Richard, Victoria Tootell and her husband, Donald and Edward Lapierre and his wife, Sandra, all of Burrillville, nine grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Eugene, Roland, Robert, Normand and Edward Lapierre.
Continue reading ‘Noel Lapierre Passes Away at 87′
