EAST PROVIDENCE – Joseph Crook Jr. doesn't know where the time has went during his 35-year tenure as East Providence's parks and recreation director. Mr. Crook Jr. said it has been an absolute pleasure serving his home city, but he is ready to retire, and will do so, to the dismay of his coworkers, on May 30.
"It's always good to come back and make the community better," he said of his opportunity to move back to East Providence from his college town, Winchester, Ky, and become director. "We've definitely had a positive impact on the quality of life and city renovations."
Mr. Crook Jr. said he has chosen not to have a true retirement, however. He said he will still be on the job after May 30, a couple days per week in the summer, to help with the transition.
"I'm too young to just sit at home," he said, referencing his 59th birthday on Wednesday. "But, I've had people work for me, whose kids are working for me now too. I don't want their grandchildren to start working for me, so it's time to get out."
"We have capable people to fill in until a new director is selected," he added.
Mr. Crook Jr. said he will reserve some leisure time, though. He said he and his wife, Rachael, moved to Cape Cod, Mass., several years ago. As he smiled, leaned back on his chair with his hands interlocked behind his head, he said the two will travel and he will enjoy some golf.
"It will be nice to have a change from this high-activity career," he said. "It will be a screeching hault-type change though."
And it will be for his colleagues too.
Assistant Director Alba Curti said she worked with Joe since 1978 and she is not at all happy he's going. She will step up as director in his absence, as she said she has a couple other times in his career.
"He's a great person to work for and allows his staff to be creative by not looking over its shoulders constantly. He's a very good person."
Ms. Curti struggled to find her fondest memory with Mr. Crook but said he has been more than a boss and is a lifelong friend.
"We've all spent more time together than with our families," she said. "He is a super boss, is colorful with a great sense of humor and will be greatly missed."
"It was a sad time when he said he'd go, but we're happy for him," said Secretary Wendy Michalski, whose been in the city department for seven years.
"I have no dirt on him," she added, laughing.
Mr. Crook Jr. will best be remembered for his efforts to spearhead the $2.5 million Pierce Stadium renovation in the mid 1980s. "It's one of the finest stadiums in New England," he said.
Mr. Crook Jr. said he is also proud of park renovations, like Rose Larisa Memorial Park, installing irrigation in all the ball fields, starting the Heritage Festival, which is in its 28th year, and starting the first leisure programs in the state for senior citizens and people with special needs. He was also instrumental in the Dorman "Dolly" Searle scholarship program that has given more than $100,000 in scholarships to EPHS seniors.
By Jeremy Rosen