I recently finished rereading The Biography of a Town by Robert Alcorn. I find it more fascinating each time I read it.
Nearing the end of the book (page 280) a writer is wading into the 1950s. The subject is about the kind of homes that are being built that lack the charm and quality that the old historic homes have. This one line caught my attention: “It left little scope for the local artisan who worked alone, with pride and skill, to create something of lasting quality. Men like Arthur Bessett and Albert Goodrich.” Bessett worked at a forge and Goodrich worked with wood and hammer. It was written that they were the end of the breed in Suffield.
I believe that there are talented and amazing people of all generations. There are many people in Suffield who have produced beautiful quality goods. I know of two individuals who have provided decades of exceptional quality of work and continue to do so. I know that there are many more.
The two men that come to mind are James (Jimmy) Kent and Brian Doyon. These men have done work for many people and organizations in town. I don’t believe that either of these craftsmen have to go out looking for work because their reputation keeps them very busy.
Jimmy Kent is known to many in town as a plumber. He is now retired from this profession. This does not mean that he is sitting idle or have I ever heard him say that he is bored. Jimmy cuts trees on his farm, puts them through his sawmill and makes furniture. He is also a blacksmith, builds stone walls and built a water wheel to power his woodworking shop. He became fascinated with buggies and made a barn full of them. He likes to work alone and takes great pride in his work.
This summer we have been doing many repairs at First Baptist. When our front door and windows were badly damaged by a woodchuck, Jimmy was there as usual. He took the front doors off and repaired the hole so that it looked flawless. He also worked on some of the windows and the sills. As always, he saw other smaller projects and did them as well. He is always there for the historic church and Zion’s Hill Cemetery as well. His talent and dependability are outstanding.
Brian Doyon is a carpenter/craftsman who is seen doing work for the town and all around town. He is in such demand that it is not easy to get him for your job that has to be done next week or month. But if you are patient and he does your project, you are a lucky person.
Brian also prefers to work alone. I have no idea how he accomplishes some of these projects that require such strength, knowledge and creativity. He has also been there for First Baptist when big and small projects arise. Over the past few years, we have encountered a major crisis. A few years back we were shocked to find that the church was near collapse. We knew who we wanted and needed to work on this project. As usual, Brian was willing to attack the job. The attic space was far from ideal. He pulled the walls back together, squared the structure, repaired wood trim inside and out, and you would never know this work was done. If that was not enough, he reinforced the steeple with steel running from the cellar. How he does all this alone I do not know.
This summer Brian returned to the church again to tend to a leaning steeple. One of the upright beams in the steeple had rotted. Nothing was easy about developing a plan with a structural engineer, but it got done. Again, Brian went after this project with his skills, strength, and must I say courage. The job was done much quicker than we could have hoped for. He even checked the roof on the steeple because it may be many years before anyone else ventures up there.
Suffield will always have talented people.