Bruce E. Byam

Class of 1963

 

 

Bruce was, and remains, an extremely dedicated, supportive and integral part of his community, profession, and any organization of which he is a member.

These qualities developed while he was a member of the CHS Class of 1963. He was a member of the band, Key Club, Student Council, part of the basketball program (4 yrs.; ’63 team Class C State Champions), and Class Planning Committee for senior year events. All agree that the Class of ’63 was extraordinary and Bruce was an integral part of this success.

As part of his Master’s work at Lowell State College (now UMass Lowell), Bruce worked with a group of fellow students that created and implemented a summer school program for the Town of Methuen, MA. The sound educational theory, administrative support and guidance created by Bruce and his colleagues provided the strong basis for Methuen’s summer educational program that they continue to use today.

Bruce has had a very successful 35-year educational career as a member of the Acton, MA School District. He was a dedicated, well-respected and contributing member of the elementary school staff. He was so highly regarded by his colleagues and the administration that they nominated him for the 1975 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. Former student and current elementary school principal, Kevin Regan, states, “When searching for staff to join our faculty I foremost seek individuals who love children, and are willing to support their individual interests, needs and shortcomings; just like my grade six teacher Bruce Byam demonstrated throughout his teaching career.”

He was a certified high school and college basketball official for 15 years, serving as president of his local officials board for 2 years. Bruce was selected to officiate in the MIAA state basketball tournament for 10 consecutive years. He also used his teaching background to mentor new officials while an active official as well as in retirement.

Bruce also found ways to provide leadership within his leisure activities. He served as the Tournament and Golf Chairman at the Vesper Country Club for 8 years. He also developed and implemented Vesper’s highly successful junior golf program.

Bruce has been a dedicated fan of the CHS football program since 1957. He has maintained a history of teams, players, statistics, and coaches since that time. He estimates that he has only missed SEVEN games since 1957! He has become known as the “Voice of Chelmsford football”. Not only does he provide play by play of the games, he also compiles statistics for each game for newspaper accounts and use by the coaches. His efforts as part of the broadcast team resulted in the Chelmsford Telemedia broadcast team receiving the 2005 national broadcasting award for high school programming.

Bruce also a member of the Board of Corporators for The Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank, recommended by Chairman Robert Caruso due Bruce being a “community-oriented person with high integrity with strong core values”.