Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 6/22/2023
EAST LONGMEADOW — There are fewer recognitions in East Longmeadow more prestigious than being named grand marshal of the Fourth of July parade. This year, that recognition was given to Richard Freccero.
“I informed Rich of his selection, and he was very honored to be chosen,” said Carl Ohlin, chair of the East Longmeadow Fourth of July Parade Grand Marshall Selection Committee. The committee reviews candidates who have been nominated by others in the community and chooses a grand marshal who has dedicated themselves to the community and civic service.
“Past grand marshals were like legends to me, and I never considered myself in that company,” Freccero said, describing himself as “quite touched.” He noted that his wife, Judi Freccero, and Terry Hallier, with whom he had worked at the high school had nominated him.
Freccero was the principal of East Longmeadow High School for 23 years, after which he served on the School Committee for nine years. Helping to educate young people has never been far from his heart.
Freccero has been on five high school scholarship boards for various organizations, including as the past president of UNICO, an Italian American service organization, and Chapter 4306 of the Knights of Columbus. In that capacity, Freccero has helped distribute five $1,000 scholarships for high school seniors annually. He has also worked with Saint Michael’s Parish Outreach and the Housing Authority to distribute $5,000 to seniors in the community.
“Being a senior citizen, I know how hard it can be,” Freccero said.
For the town, Freccero has been a part of search committees for two town managers and a police chief, as well as the East Longmeadow Cable Access Television Committee. In addition, he acts as an election warden for the town.
Volunteering brings Freccero “immense joy,” he said. Besides, he said, “I do have to keep active.”
Despite being retired from his career in education, he works as an adjunct professor at American International College, with two other individuals running 3 Guys Catering, and as a patient advocate at Baystate Health Center.
“I see it as my passion being realized,” Freccero said, adding that if he had not been a principal, he would have worked in a hospital.
Even while being so busy, Freccero said he is “very involved” with his family, including his two grown sons Luke and Marc. He said he was especially excited that his new grandson, Cooper Lawrence Freccero, would be visiting at the time and be able to see his grandfather in the parade.
“I’ll tell you one thing, it’s going to be the slowest parade ever,” Freccero said, laughing. “I’m going to say hi to everyone.”