Ron Ansin (Photo courtesy Ansin family)
FITCHBURG — The passing of a legendary community leader, businessman and philanthropist — Ron Ansin — is a huge loss.
Ansin died June 28.
“He was involved in everything, I wouldn’t even know where to begin to explain all of the things that he has done.” said Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella.
Ronald Marvin Ansin was born in Worcester on March 28, 1934 to Sidney David Ansin and Sophie Shachoy. He attended Phillips Academy in Andover before earning his Bachelor’s Degree from Harvard College in 1956. Ansin would also earn his Juris Doctorate from Yale Law School in 1959.
Ansin then returned to Fitchburg to run his family’s shoe business, Anwelt Shoe company. Ansin would be inducted into the Footwear Industry Hall of Fame in 1996 for taking stake in Cole Haan as well as visiting the Carter White House in representation of the shoe industry as a whole.
“The Ansin family in general have always been just terrific community partners,” said Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale, “One of my good friends, Ken Ansin and his son have been just fabulous. His daughter Kim is a very good friend to the City of Fitchburg too.”
Footwear was just one business in which Ansin was involved; he also ventured into community banking as well as real estate. Ansin was at one time the Chairman at Merchants Bank in North Central Massachusetts, then played a role in the establishment of Enterprise Bank in Lowell in 1988, according to his obituary.
Ansin had success outside of the business world as well, to include politics. In 1983 he became the Commissioner of Commerce, a position which was appointed by then-Gov. Michael Dukakis. His love of community would push Ansin to become more involved through holding positions in the local Chamber of Commerce, Board of Applewild School, and Lawrence Academy.
“I once asked him for a 10-minute tour of the new library,” said Mazzarella, “and two and a half hours later he had talked to every contractor, every employee in the library, everybody. His kindness, in every capacity, is an example.”
Ansin supported many community-based groups such as the Boys’ & Girls’ Club of America, Ashoka, the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, Brandeis University, the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, and the ACLU of Massachusetts. The ACLU would name Ansin the “Chairman of Life.” He was also awarded the National Alexis de Tocqueville Society Award for Community Service from the United Way of America in 1999.
“Ron was also just available to provide help and support whenever he could, a real go-to guy.” said DiNatale. “One of the folks from the City of Fitchburg who possessed the bandwidth to do many things and he did. He will certainly be missed.”
Ansin played a role in advancing nonprofit organizations as well to include Boston’s Fenway Community Health Center and the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network. He was awarded the Icon Award by Mass Equality in 2012.
“His philanthropy wasn’t just about putting money in places, it was about making a difference. This is a big loss for the community,” said Mazzarella.
“He ended every conversation with a handshake, a look in the eye, and with sincerity he’d say ‘be well’.”
Credit:Source link
