Friend To All, Eddie Moore Awarded Danvers' Citizen of the Year

Lifelong Danvers resident Eddie Moore was awarded the Danvers Citizen of The Year Award for his work volunteering for the sports programs at a ceremony last week at the .

With his family in attendance, and brother Paul Moore by his side, the Danvers Community Council presented the award to Moore before a crowd of about 125 attendees.

"Eddie really enjoyed himself the other night,” Paul Moore recounted. “I’m not sure he really understood what it was all about, but he really enjoyed everyone coming out to see him, and being able to see all his friends. I would say the friendship extended to him that night meant much more to him than the actual award.”

Moore said his brother overcame serious health obstacles to get to where he is today. When he was just four years old, he contracted meningitis, leaving him with mental challenges that went undiscovered until the youngster reached school age.

“They didn’t realize any effects [of the meningitis] until he was going to start first grade," he explained. "I was pretty young at the time, but I recall what my mother told me. They called her and she had to go pick him up; they tested him and found it had left mental damage. But he’s very lucky because kids usually died from meningitis back then.”

Moore said his brother is fortunate to have a large family around for support, but on the whole is very self sufficient despite his limitations and the fact that he does not drive.

“He goes right along; he’s got a regimen, out by 7:30 am he heads downtown...you could almost set your clock by it. But he doesn’t actually walk that much, everyone knows him in town so he gets rides-I’ve actually driven by him on Elliot Street, turned around to go get him and by the time I get there he’s gone because someone has gotten to him first,” Paul laughed.

His trademark knit cap and navy blue, nylon gym bag retired for the night, Moore was dressed in his finest suit to greet his friends, visiting from table to table before and after the ceremony to say hello. “It was great he got that kind of recognition. He would do anything for the sports program and the kids at the high school, he gets as much out of it as they do," Moore said.

Mass State Representative Ted Speliotis, Town Manager Wayne Marquis, Selectman Dan Bennett, were all in attendance, as well as the two Danvers residents responsible for nominating Moore, Director of Danvers Recreation David Mountain, and TFM Realty owner Tom Manuel.

"The night went very well," Manuel said. "There was a lot of representation from Danvers sports, Coach Roger Day, Peter Marshall, Ted St. Pierre in attendance. He was well received; he got up and said thank you, he deserved it- he does a lot for the town and he’s a good guy.”

Manuel spoke about Moore’s commitment to his hometown, stating, “One doesn’t have to be involved in town politics or serve on any number of boards or committees to better the town and one’s fellow citizens.  One just has to care enough to do whatever it takes to make that town a better place to live. Eddie has done just that, every day of his life, for many years.  This town is blessed and very lucky to have citizens like him living among us.”

Director of Recreation David Mountain stated in his nomination of Moore, “Each of us has a choice each day when we wake up to get up and get out of the house to get to our place of employment to make a living. Eddie chooses to get up each day, and in his own way, decides to make a positive impact and to do his very best for the community."

Athletic Director and High School Football Coach John Sullivan, who has known Moore for years, said he contains the can-do spirit he hopes to impress upon the youngsters in his charge. “The kids at DHS, they kid around with him a lot, they think he’s their mascot; he’s a mainstay-you always know he’s going to be there.”

Personally Sullivan regards Moore as the sports program’s, “biggest supporter. It’s a tribute to his family and parents that they taught him to be a good person and about the good things in life to make life worthwhile."

“He’s helped us along, and we’ve helped him along. We talk about him being the Mayor of Danvers, because it’s not just about the athletics, he helps others around Danvers, as well.”