North Attleboro High School Alumni Association

Maxwell G. Gould
Community Impact Award
2010

Measured by length and breadth of service to the community in elected, appointed, and volunteer roles, there are few North Attleboro High School graduates who can compare to Max Gould. A proud graduate of the Class of 1959, husband of classmate Eileen (Pat) Dupelle, father of Class of 1986 grad Matthew, and father-in-law of Deborah Clark Gould of the Class of 1988, nearly every aspect of his post-high school life has been built upon a foundation of commitment and service to country, family and community.

Just six months after graduation, Max enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served for four years in Washington, D.C. as part of the Presidential Honor Guard and also as a rifle range instructor at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

He returned to North Attleboro in 1964 where he wed Eileen, and embarked on a 35-year-long career in what, at the time, was a fledgling information technology industry. Seven years later, a new phase of Max's life began when Town Moderator Don Dalrymple recruited him to serve on the town's Finance Committee. Max served there for nearly 10 years, including two years as its chairman, and one year as its delegate to the town's Capital Improvements Committee. Max also served as an original member of the Representative Town Meeting when it was first formed.

From there, Max served two terms over six years on the School Committee, from 1983 to 1989, serving as chairman in 1986. In 1991, he was elected to serve on the town's first five-member Board of Selectmen. He served in that capacity until 1993, including one year as chairman. In each of his elected roles, Max has offered a strong sense of town history and has been "a man of great conviction" who "takes a position and tries to convince others to agree," according to Bill Moffitt, former Town Treasurer. Max Gould has always been more concerned with doing his job well than getting re-elected.

Max returned to public service in 2003 when he was elected Town Clerk, a position he still holds, now in his third term. In typical Gould fashion, Max devotes a full-time effort to this part-time position, serving citizens who are brand new to the town with the same respect as life-long residents. Town Manager Mark Fisher credits Max with being "a great sounding board, a great resource" to him in his administrative role. Fisher also praised Max's contribution to the friendly atmosphere in town hall by offering a joke a day or a daily riddle, most of which are appropriate for mixed company. Apparently, that doesn't stop Max from sharing with everyone.

His service to family and community, though, has not been limited to governmental positions. For five years, Max was a coach and board member with the Little North Attleboro League. His additional involvement in supporting youth sports include three years as a coach with the Park & Recreation Department’s youth basketball program.

Max is also a fixture at the local BPO #1011 Elks, having been a member for more than 30 years, serving as the Order’s Exalted Ruler in 2008 and 2009 and currently as its Chaplain.

Service to country. Service to community. Service to family. Max Gould serves as a shining example of each and as such is most deserving of the North Attleboro High School Alumni Association's 2010 Community Impact Award.