Lessons learned from Grampy: Remembering Jerome Plante

Last November, when Santino Perrone was sworn in to a seat on the Regional School Unit 23 board, serving Old Orchard Beach, he went to his grandfather’s closet to complete his outfit.

Perrone wore the same tie his grandfather, Jerome Plante, had worn when he was sworn in to the school board 12 years earlier.  Wearing the same tie meant a lot to both of them, said Perrone, as they could both see a piece of themselves in the other person.

Perrone has the photos of him and Grampy from their swearing in ceremonies displayed side by side in his bedroom, cherished memories and a reminder of their special bond.

Plante died on Feb. 8 at the age of 90. He graduated in 1954 from Old Orchard Beach High School, where he served as senior class president, head of the debate club, and captain of the football team. He ran for State Representative in 1956, becoming the first Democrat in the state house ever elected from Old Orchard Beach. At the age of 21, he was the youngest elected official in the State Legislature at the time.

Plante had a vast career in education and government. He taught at Biddeford High School, worked as a as Senior Legislative Assistant and Field Office Manager to U.S. Congressman Peter Kyros, served as Old Orchard Beach Town Manager, and at the age of 68, became an education technician. In addition to serving on the school board he served on various town committees.

“Me and Grampy, we were best friends. Our relationship was more than just a grandson and grandfather relationship,” said Perrone. “He was such a selfless, loving person.  He was quite a mentor to me.”

 

RSU 23 School Board Member Jerome Plante is sworn into office in 2012 in the photo on the left. On the right, RSU 23 School Board Member Santino Perrone is sworn into office in 2024 wearing Plante's tie. COURTESY PHOTOS

Plante encouraged Perrone to, like him, get involved in his school, and Perrone was class president for four years at Old Orchard Beach High School. Perrone would walk the 12 steps to his grandparent’s apartment on the second floor of his house and Plante helped him with his campaign speeches and gave him ideas for class fundraisers.

“I listened and I did it, and I’m so glad that I listened to him… because I learned so much from it,” said Perrone.

When he was younger, Plante would call Perrone his campaign manager, and as Perrone got older, he would refer to Plante as his campaign manager.

Like his grandfather, Perrone became a public official at a young age, and was elected to the school board at the age of 20.

“When a couple of people reached out to me and asked me if I wanted to run for school board, I went to Grampy first. I asked him, ‘Do you think this would be good,’ and he said ‘this would be great. You gotta do it, and I’ll help you,” said Perrone.

Grampy was by his side at the 2023 polls when Perrone ran and lost, but he was supportive and told him, “There’s always next year.”

And, Grampy was right. Perrone ran for school board again the next year and this time won.

Plante used to say that he was “alert, articulate and erudite (very learned)” and Perrone strives to embody these qualities as well. Plante was pro-education, and loved to learn. Perrone said that he, as a school board member, is always learning so that he can make informed decisions, and he’s learned to also be alert and articulate as a student at Southern Maine Community College.

Plante was a die-hard Democrat, but he listened to both sides of every issue, said Perrone.

“He would have a debate at the polls or wherever with a friend of his that went back 20, 30 years, and afterward, they would just laugh it off and shake hands or hug and start talking about their families,” said Perrone. “He taught me to respect every person’s opinion no matter what. He always instilled in me that every person’s opinion matters and to always treat people with kindness.”

Plante liked giving back to the town he said gave so much to him.

“He loved his town so much he would literally do anything for it,” said Perrone.

Likewise, Perrone enjoys serving his community, and is on the board of the local food pantry.

“Every step I get closer to his path, I see more and more why he enjoyed doing it,” said Perrone.

Perrone said he never makes a decision on the school board without thinking, ‘What would Grampy do?” The board faces a challenging vote at an upcoming meeting, and Perrone said he will go to his grandfather’s grave at Laurel Hill Cemetery and ask his advice.

He said his grandfather is watching over him now and guiding him toward more opportunities in life.

Perrone has organized the stash of his grandfather’s newspaper clippings to make sure they are preserved for the next generation. He also performs his grandfather’s favorite magic trick for his nieces and nephews and is teaching them the lyrics to “Down by the Riverside” by The Four Lads – the song Grampy always sang.

Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.