"I was graduated, Magna Cum Laude, from American International College (AIC) in
May of 1988. My degree is in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting.
I first became interested in becoming a Justice of the Peace when I was the Chairman
of the Board of the American Society of Notaries (an International association that assists and supports the Notary Public).
In Massachusetts a Justice of the Peace has, by default, the powers of a Notary Public. A Notary Public, however,
does not have the same authority as a Justice of the Peace. ASN realized that about
1800 Justices were performing the services of a Notary Public with no training what so ever. It was obvious that I should
apply to become a Justice of the Peace. While serving as a Justice fo the Peace, I am able to learn and instruct fellow members
in the proper manner of performing both commissions. Besides.........
My wife says that I am a hopeless romantic.......!
During the past twenty two (22) years as a Justice of the Peace, I have written
many different types of ceremonies. My goal is to be able to make the couple comfortable and direct every ceremony to
their personality. I know that I have succeeded when I hear comments that the ceremony "sounds like they wrote it themselves".
I have officiated at Conventional and Same Gender Marriages in many places including: Banquet
halls, individual homes, even our own home and garden pictured below. A particularly favorite location is at
the Log Cabin in Holyoke MA. One ceremony was actually written with that location in
mind.
Additionally, I have officiated at weddings in English, French and Spanish.((Courrement
en Francais) -(Hablo Espanol un pocco, perro no bien)).There are ceremonies that include Irish blessings and even a Pagan
ceremony. Recently added a new Hand Fasting ceremony that can be used in conjunction with any other ceremony.
I will probably be the only person to tell a couple that they can have anything they
want and no fee is required until just prior to the ceremony. I only have two (2) things I will not do - I will not
jump out of an airplane and I will not stand within 20 feet of the face of a cliff (Anything over ten (10) feet to me is a
cliff.)
Some couples have taken me up on my suggestion that I can officiate at their ceremony
anywhere in Massachussetts. So much so that Street numbers and addresses do not apply. I have had to use my GPS system to
determine Longitude and Latitude to report as the location. Especially helpfull on the Connecticut River or in some
mountain range. Just let me know where and I will be sure to cover myself with insect repellent.
I have been asked to lend my gardens out for weddings, other than those I perform.
I cannot do this as the liability issue would be too costly. Please realize that you do use my facilities at your own
risk and I am not liable for any damages during your use of our home and gardens
Realize that our gardens have times in which they bloom and times in which they don't. I cannot
guarantee those times, obviously, but I have a good idea of what could be in bloom and I have a handful of Annuals to guarantee
color.
