SAUGUS — School Committee Chair Thomas Whittredge will be the first to say that the ending of 2021 wasn’t easy for himself and his family.
Whittredge’s wife of 17 years, Theresa, died on Nov. 25 after developing breast cancer for the second time in her life.
“I know there was a lot that I missed the last couple of months,” he said. “Really, on a personal level, I just want to thank everybody. It’s obviously been a difficult time for my family, my kids, myself, and everybody, and just the outpouring of support ― not just the community, but the entire school staff ― everybody has just been absolutely incredible. It brings the emotions out of you.”
Whittredge continued saying that the support reminded him why he loves the town so much.
“People ask me what the best thing I like about Saugus is and I say it all the time when the chips are down and somebody is down and out, everybody rallies around them and helps that person out. I really, really felt it,” he said. “My kids felt it. I’m really just blown away and really just grateful for every single person that’s reached out.”
The chair also mentioned that living in such a great community motivates individuals to run for committees and do what they can to help out around town.
“This is why you run for these boards, because you want things to be as good as you feel it is and I feel that this town is just incredible,” he said. “This example that I just saw (is) when my wife passed away and everybody comes out of the woodwork and wants to help you.”
Whittredge mentioned that even people he hadn’t heard from in a long time were reaching out and asking how they could help his family.
“That’s what I want for this community,” he said. “That’s what I want for this school system.”
