Medeiros retires as Pierce Field supervisor

Oversight of East Providence landmark will change hands for first time in three decades

By Mike Rego
Posted 5/4/18

EAST PROVIDENCE — The steward of one of the city’s most venerable beacons stepped away from his position recently when Joe Medeiros retired as the East Providence Parks and Recreation …

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Medeiros retires as Pierce Field supervisor

Oversight of East Providence landmark will change hands for first time in three decades

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — The steward of one of the city’s most venerable beacons stepped away from his position recently when Joe Medeiros retired as the East Providence Parks and Recreation Department supervisor at Pierce Field.

The last day for Mr. Medeiros, whose official title was Pierce Athletic Complex Manager, was on Monday, April 30. He departs the role after slightly more than 27 years on the job, one of which he understood the importance to the residents of the city.

Pierce Field and Pierce Memorial Stadium, specifically, is a place youngsters in East Providence grow up feeling a sense of awe for, aspiring to someday compete in. It holds a special grasp on the imagination of residents, including city native Mr. Medeiros.

“It does for me too and that was the beauty of the job when I got it,” he explained. “I had the privilege of having the responsibility of the maintenance of one of our city’s landmarks. A place that I grew up with, played at. This place has been as much a part of my life as anything. So to be in charge of it, what’s better than that?”

Mr. Medeiros said he appreciated the duty of overseeing operations at Pierce Field, but it only made going to work each day that much more pleasurable.

“It was a responsibility, but it was fun,” he said. “You know, so many people get up in the morning and go to place to work they can’t stand. That never happened to me here, never, ever happened to me here. I mean, some days, you have bad days, but for the most part I loved coming to this place every day. Look at it, how could you not love coming to a place like this every day?”

As one of East Providence’s most visited and recognizable sites, Pierce Field has maintained a vast presence on the local and statewide sports and entertainment scene for decades. And it’s when the location is bustling with activity that it’s been the most gratifying to him.

“For me and the staff, we take pride in making sure this place looks good and is in the best condition possible,” Mr. Medeiros said. “I would say you get the most out of it when you see the people coming in and using it. And when you see the place full, that’s when it hits you. When you all the fields are full and the stadium is full, that’s when you say, ‘Alright, that’s the fruits of the labor, that’s the reward for your work.’”

The events Pierce Field has hosted during his tenure have run the gamut, and Mr. Medeiros is appreciative of having a front row seat to them. Though he does reserve a particular affinity for Pierce’s place as annual host to East Providence High School commencement ceremonies.

“We’ve seen a lot of events here over the years, and not just athletic events. Most people think we’re just here for baseball, football, softball, soccer. But we’ve also had the drum and bugle corps competitions and of course the Fourth of July fireworks display and the Heritage Festival and graduation,” he said. “I love graduation. You’re seeing people you’ve known for a long time. It’s nice to see people seeing their kids and grandkids getting that high school diploma. I’ve seen both my daughters graduate and then I had to break the stage down after they were done.”

Not all about Pierce Field is right and proper as he departs, he admits. Mr. Medeiros took note of the stadium structure built during the Great Depression-era Works Progress Administration and the need for repair to it and other aspects of the complex.

“It has gotten to the point where it’s time to take stock in what needs to be done around here,” he said. “There are some issues. The lighting needs to upgraded in the stadium and the baseball field. The actual physical structure of the stadium needs to be looked at. The stone walls are starting to fall apart. The scoreboard blew down three weeks ago. The fencing is from World War II and it’s archaic. The longer you let these things go, the worse it’s going to get. And it’s going to be difficult to climb out of that hole.

“You can put band aids on things, but a lot of them are things people don’t even notice. It’s like McCoy Stadium. People go in there and say this place it’s beautiful, why would you want to get rid of it? But if you walk around it, take a real close look, it’s a mess. It’s the same here. If you really show people around, they’d say I never noticed that. I think it’s time to do some things. People really need to take a look around to see what needs to be done.”

Trusted aide Tony Vieira will be the point person of any future improvements to Pierce Field. He takes over as supervisor and will continue to be assisted by long-time associate Jim Mello. Mr. Medeiros believes he’s leaving the complex in good hands.

“Knowing Tony's taking over is great. He’s been here for 12 years. He knows this place backwards and forwards. I could not have done this without Jimmy Mello and Tony Vieira and Ray Burnham and Ricky Robinson. This isn’t DisneyWorld. Rakes and brooms and everything else don’t go by themselves,” Mr. Medeiros said.

Mr. Medeiros retires feeling he did an honest day’s work throughout his time at Pierce and with a sense of gratitude for being witness to the good in East Providence it brought out in people.

“Looking at it, this was a job and a job I took seriously,” he said. “This is a community that can spread negativity so fast. But this place, I never saw that here. I saw the best part of this community here because they came here to have fun. When they came here, they came to enjoy themselves whether it was their kid’s sporting event or Heritage Days or fireworks. Everything else went out the window. I saw the best part of the community here.”

And although his time has passed, the people he met while associated with Pierce Field and the impressions of working there for almost 30 will remain dear to him.

“There are so many things about working at this place that I feel fortunate about,” Mr. Medeiros added. “The people I work with, arguably the best department in the city. Including Tony and Jimmy, there was Joe Crook, Alba Curti, Diane Sullivan, Debbie Rochford, Becky Chace, Shontell Gomes. You’re looking at over 200 years of experience and service to the city of East Providence. These are dedicated people. Not only are they my coworkers, but they’re my best friends. So I’m walking away with that and a lot of great memories.”

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MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.