In 1952, George H. Sinclair was 82 years old. Once, never having been given a chance to reach adulthood, he devoted his life to his passion for growing beautiful flowers and plants. He served 39 years as chair of Holyoke's Parks & Recreation Commission.
In 1952, Mr. Sinclair sold the greenhouse and 15 acres to Earl Spalding of Windsor Locks, Connecticut, who wanted to maintain the business. He and his brother owned Aiken's Floral Store in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, and William Schlatter & Sons Florists in Springfield. The new owners would operate under the name of Mt. Tom Greenhouses, Inc.
In 1957, the greenhouses were operated by the Bergevin family, originally from New Hampshire.
On February 20, 1959, George H. Siclair died, after nearly three-quarters of a century of horticultural prominence, civic pride, and gracious generosity. He was considered by his neighbors the unofficial mayor of Smith's Ferry and the caretaker of the Smith Ferry Cemetery grounds and the graves of those buried there.
In 1965, Bergevins sold to brother and sister, Leon and Arax Charkoudian, of Springfield. Their plan was to specialize in growing chrysanthemums, along with a few other selected varieties, in the 25,000-square-foot production area. Viola Sinclair continued working for the Charkoudians.
In the final chapter, new owners repair and operate the greenhouse with their eyes on the roses.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.
Ancestry.com (paid subscription): Price & Lee Holyoke, Massachusetts, City Directories
Hampden County Registry of Deeds, Springfield, Massachusetts
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