Clarence Plant awarded the Cathy Donahue Good Neighbor Award

Clarence Plant awarded the Cathy Donahue Good Neighbor Award at the Grand Marshall Banquet, January 27, 2007 at Our Lady Mount Carmel Cultural Center in Worcester.

This Award is named in memory of the late Cathy Donahue, a Parade Committee member, Chairperson and Grand Marshal. Cathy promoted the growth of the Parade in its early years by helping to establish a financial framework for the Parade Committee organization. The Good Neighbor Award is given to a friend of the Parade who, through his or her work, warmth, and generosity, has helped to contribute to the Parade's goals.

This year, the Parade Committee is pleased to present the Good Neighbor Cathy Donahue Award to our good friend and benefactor, Clarence Plant. Born in Macon Georgia, Clarence spent over 31 years in service to his country. As a Professional Senior Non-Commissioned Office, Sergeant Major Plant has received numerous awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Army Achievement Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

The past 12 years, Clarence has been an active member of the Property Management Association, and President of the North Atlantic Chapter. For 26 years, he has been an active member of the Association of the United States Army, which consists of the Defense industrial Base, and civilian and military personnel. In 1986 he founded the Irving J. Yarock AUSA Company at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). In 1990, Clarence was elected to the Minutemen Chapter Board of Directors and in 1992 became its Vice President. Since retiring from the Army, he assumed the duties of Asset Manager/Administrative Services Office for WPI and is now Property Administrator. He serves as a mentor to many faculty, staff, and students. Appointed an advisor to the Black Student Union and to the Board of Advisors of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Clarence was honored with the Administrator of the Year Award for 1998.

Clarence is a past Noble Grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Worcester Lodge #56, and is now serving as Secretary. Other posts within the Odd Fellows include past Grand Chaplain, Marshal of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, Grand Warden of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Massachusetts, Deputy Grand Master, Grand Master of Massachusetts, the very first Minority Grand Master, and Grand Representative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows of the World. He serves as trustee of the Odd Fellow's Home and Chairperson of the Arthritis fundraising committee for the Grand Lodge. For his volunteer efforts, Clarence received the Trustees of the Arthritis Foundation Trustees Award in March of 2004, and a citation from the Massachusetts State Senate.

Other offices and affiliations include President of the Retired Armed Forces Association of New England, Board of Directors of Girls, Inc. of Worcester, the YMCA facility committee, Children's Friend Society Board of Directors, and Worcester Rotary Club member. He was appointed to the "Salute to Korean War Veteran's of Worcester County" Event Committee. He also was appointed to the City of Worcester's Neighborhood Executive Cabinet. Clarence and his wife Mary (Smith) have two sons.

Home - Site Map

Search: