The well-known and respected news and commentary radio announcer Richard Lavigne (Lah-vig-nay) spent about 36 years broadcasting at Holyoke radio stations. Before reliving the story of the man behind the microphone, I’d like to share some of his quotes and others’.
“I would estimate - and I don’t think I’m exaggerating - I must work 75 hours a week.” - Richard Lavigne.
“He’s a very gentle soul in a cutthroat business. He fascinates me. If you thought about WREB without Richard, the heart of the station would be gone.” - Mayor Ernest Proulx.
“There’s a certain comfort when you turn on the radio, and Richard’s there.” - Larry Milesky, WREB General Manager.
“Everyone is going to tell you about his style. But I’ll tell you he was irreplaceable.” - Joseph Alfano, President and owner of the Algonquin Broadcasting Corporation (WREB).
“Whatever I may have become, I owe to my parental background and my teachers.” - Richard Lavigne.
“I try to create a direct rapport with the listener, as if I’m right next to him or her.” - Richard Lavigne.
“I feel as if you’re (Richard Lavigne) sitting on the edge of the table in my kitchen.” - A WREB Listener.
“When I go after the news, I’m not satisfied with picking the blossoms. I want to get to the roots.” -Richard Lavigne.
“I like almost everybody. It doesn’t make a difference what position a man is in. I even have some respect for fallen people.” - Richard Lavigne.
“I write with my voice.” - Richard Lavigne.
...and my favorite:
“I tell people I live in Holyoke, and sleep in Feeding Hills.” - Richard Lavigne.
Who was this man, who for more than a third of the 20th century was a source of news information and commentary for thousands of listeners?
Richard Oliver LaVigne was born in Springfield on November 18, 1918. His interest in broadcasting takes him back to the mid-1920s, when, at the age of 6, he created a mock radio studio in his bedroom. He pretended to announce using a can as a microphone.
At Classical High School, he participated in a radio workshop that broadcast on WSPR in Springfield. He was so interested in English that he would stay up on occasion until 3 AM to read his grammar books. He was an award winner in an essay contest on the topic “How Advertising Benefits the Consumer.”
Upon graduation, Richard Lavigne began working at WSPR. He bought his mother an engraved watch with his first paycheck. From 1942 to 1951, he worked for radio station WHYN as a newscaster named Friendly Freddie.
For a time, he resided in South Hadley close to the main WHYN radio studio on North Canal Street opposite the Red Cliff Canoe Club. The station also had studios on the second floor of the Holyoke Transcript building and the Gazette building in Northampton. The station was then owned by William Dwight of the Transcript, and Charles Derose of the Gazette was the General Manager. Minnie Dwight was the corporate Treasurer.
When WHYN relocated to Springfield, Richard Lavigne became employed by WREB. He rejected a job offer in Detroit for twice the pay, as he felt very comfortable calling Holyoke home.
In 1956, he became the news director of the station. He was a moderator for numerous candidates’ nights, both at the station and at remote sites. He attended many Holyoke aldermanic and committee meetings to compile stories firsthand. Listeners could tune in Monday through Friday at 7:30 AM and 12:30 PM for the latest Holyoke news and regional and national breaking events.
If a newsworthy event took place in the evening, he might record it. However, his preference was dutifully jotting notes with a pencil and yellow-lined note paper. He carried many sharpened pencils in a small leather carry bag.
Often, he would read the news account on the air right from his notes. If he ran out of news to report, he would read directly from the Holyoke Transcript or the Springfield Union, adding commentary to the story, filling his half-hour twice-daily newcasts.
In 1962, a new manager was hired for the station, and he brought a favored newscaster with him. It was reported that Richard Lavigne would be let go. When listeners heard the story, there was an outpouring of support, and his job was saved.
Away from the station, he was often selected to be on a panel of judges for various scholarship and fundraising events. He tended to live a simpler life, watching old movies, playing the organ, and singing at home in a Bing Crosby tone. He resided with his father, who was approaching 100 years old and in need of care. Mr. Lavigne was known for wearing an assortment of string ties, red slacks, and a long-worn, brown cap.
In 1972, he was presented with a Live Media Achievement Award for his humanitarian work and for presenting fair and honest commentaries when reporting on issues in Ireland.
When away from High Street, one of his favorite Holyoke haunts was Howard Johnson’s Restaurant on Northampton Street, where he could sip on a bottomless cup of coffee. Local politicians would gather there after their meetings, and note that Richard Lavigne would be there more often than they were.
It was the era of Walter Cronkite and Paul Harvey, whose voices and words were trusted in connecting with their listeners. For 36 years, Richard Lavigne fostered a similar relationship with Holyoke-area listeners. He was a unique individual, and Holyoke was fortunate to have him, and he, Holyoke.
“This is Richard Lavigne inviting you, and you know I mean you, to listen to my next commentary.”
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
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