PawSox honor Labossiere for 40 years of service

September 7, 2012

Lincoln resident Paul Labossiere, who works inside the ticket office at McCoy Stadium, throws out the first pitch during an on-field pre-game ceremony on Monday in recognition of his 40th season with the PawSox’s franchise.

PAWTUCKET — There was Paul Labossiere, as usual focused on the task at hand inside the McCoy Stadium ticket office. To this Central Falls native and current Lincoln resident, Labor Day Monday was typical – no deviation in the slightest from the previous 71 PawSox home dates in the 2012 season, or the 39 years of loyal service that preceded this one.
As an unsuspected Labossiere went about his usual business, he received marching orders to promptly bring an envelope containing tickets to Gate A, where Jeff Bradley, the PawSox’ director of community relations, was waiting. Naturally Labossiere obliged, yet as he neared the entrance that leads to the barbeque tent and first-base suites, he started to see a number of familiar faces.
Something was up, he thought. Standing next to scores of family members and close friends, Bradley informed Labossiere of a secret that had been kept under wraps for several weeks. In recognizing his 40th season with the PawSox’s franchise, the team chose to acknowledge Labossiere with an on-field pregame ceremony.
Labossiere didn’t have time to become overwhelmed by the moment. Walking out to the mound flanked by team president Mike Tamburro and Sandra, his bride of 53 years, provided the man of the hour with an adrenaline rush, a jolt that proved quite handy when it came time to throw out the first pitch.
“To tell you the truth, I wasn’t surprised, I was shocked. Everyone did a great job keeping this a secret,” said a smiling Labossiere a short time later. “When I saw my kids and grandchildren, I was like, ‘Oh my God.’”
Added Tamburro, “He had about 60 people that celebrated the day with him. I don’t think he saw this coming and I give credit to his family for putting it together and keeping it a surprise.”
Prior to delivering the ceremonial offering to infielder Nate Spears, Labossiere was presented a PawSox team jacket from Tamburro, the gesture serving as the organization’s way of tipping their cap and saying “thanks” to the longest-running employee in team history.
See LABOSSIERE, page C3
After all, it’s not every day that someone of Labossiere’s longevity is still putting in the time and displaying the kind of enthusiasm that personifies a behind-the-scenes PawSox worker.
“He’s a delight and a guy we rely on every night,” Tamburro noted. “He knows the customers by their first names and is just a big part of PawSox baseball and the PawSox family.
“Whatever (the acknowledgement) meant to Paulie, it meant the world to us,” Tamburro added. “He’s a guy who deserves the honor.”
***
A graduate of Sacred Heart Academy (Class of 1945), Paul Labossiere was a fulltime worker for 39 years at Liberty Plating Co., Inc., a Central Falls-based jewelry company. His brother, the late Leo Labossiere, served as a major-league scout for the White Sox and the Orioles while his nephew, David Labossiere, was formerly the head trainer of the Houston Astros. His baseball ties extend to the present day with his grandson, Lincoln High senior and Elon University recruit Nick Zammarelli.
A fit and trim 74-year-old, Paul Labossiere started showing up at McCoy in 1972, when Pawtucket served as Boston’s Double-A affiliate. His tenure bridges the decaying state the PawSox found themselves in prior to Ben Mondor coming aboard in 1977, his main objective being to lift the woebegone operation from the dregs and into a position of prominence.
“I had mixed emotions (when Mondor first took over). I didn’t know if he would do an about face, but he went on to do a great job with this ballpark. He turned it around to the point that it’s now a great place,” Labossiere said. “I think this [meaning the PawSox brand] is as close to a major-league feel as you’re going to get.”
A seasonal employee who would begin his duties in early spring and conclude them once the final out has been recorded, Labossiere started out taking tickets at the turnstile before relocating to the ticket booth, where he’s proven to be just as valuable and indispensable a resource.
“Paulie made his way in the old ticket offices, which in those days we used to call ‘The Dungeon,’” said Tamburro with a slight chuckle. “A lot of times, the only people the fans meet who represent the PawSox is that ticket taker, ticket seller or usher. To have seasoned veterans like Paulie who have been here year after year and understand how important that first impression is to the fan, we’re very fortunate.”
Besides seeing firsthand the blood, sweat and tears Mondor poured into the PawSox, Labossiere has been privy to the evolving nature in how tickets are dispensed to the masses. Initially, there was a cash box that collected that night’s game sales. There weren’t any phone lines to take credit card information, nor a will-call window designed to cut down on the time spent in line.
To his credit, Labossiere embraced all these changes.
“He’s been through it all and has tried to stay up to date as much as us older guys do with technology!” Tamburro remarked. “He’s been a warrior and a great ticket seller, there’s no doubt about it. A lot of the nights, he’s our leading ticket seller.”
***
Labossiere made sure to tell Tamburro that by no means does he intend to step aside, a message he conveyed during a chat in the owner’s box following Monday’s ceremony. He plans on sticking around as long as possible.
“I told Mike that you’re not going to get rid of me now. I’m still going to be here next year,” Labossiere said. “Mike said, “We’ll be glad to have to you.’”