Edward W. Santos Story

Ed served on the Jordan Hospital Board of Directors for many years as well as Vice Chair of the Capital Campaign and Vice Chair of the Jordan Health Foundation and Vice Chair of the Philanthropy Board of Beth Israel Deaconess (BID) – Plymouth.

In addition, Ed’s service included:

• Chair of Cranberry Hospice
• President and Paul Harris Fellow of the Plymouth Rotary Club
• President and Director of Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce
• Grand Knight Knights of Columbus Council 4480
• Director Plymouth Public Library
• Director Plymouth Boys & Girls Club
• Chair of Plymouth YMCA
• Chair of the Town of Plymouth Personnel Board
• Director of Sacred Heart School
• Director of Bridgewater State University
• Director and Vice President of Plymouth 400th Committee

Even at age 92, Ed continued his service in making Plymouth a better place, including serving as:

• Director of the Plymouth Community Charitable Foundation
• Museum Council Member of Plimoth-Patuxet
• Director of America's Hometown Celebration Committee
• Trustee and Vice President of Pilgrim Hall Museum
• Plymouth Industrial Park Association Director
• Director and Treasurer of Plymouth Regional Economic Development Foundation
• Director and Treasurer of the Plymouth County Development Council 

Ed was a man of great faith and was devoted to his family. He was a lector, Eucharistic Minister, and Chairman of the Parish Finance Council at Saint Peter Parish. Also, for many years he and the Sisters of Divine Providence recited the morning rosary on radio station WPLM.

Ed loved his hometown, its people, its history, and the organizations that made up the fabric of the community. His most important contribution to Plymouth was as President of the Plymouth Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) for more than forty years. The PIDC was a much-needed force in Plymouth, starting with the inception of Plymouth Industrial Park during the 1960s, at a time that the community was facing major economic downturn due to the loss of manufacturing jobs as the mills closed one after another. Ed was the leader then and he saw it through until the Park was built out. The result was more than one hundred twenty-five new companies and more than five thousand jobs. Ed and the members of the PIDC brought the town back from the brink of economic ruin and laid the groundwork for a thriving economy that continues to this day. 

The PIDC, at its end of charter, was able to provide more than eight million dollars to local organizations. Without Ed, it can be said, that it would not have happened.

Ed was also a mentor and guide to many including elected and appointed officials, town and community leaders, business owners, professionals, and “average Joes”. More than a few North Plymouth kids benefitted from Ed’s counsel, advice, and by just being able to watch him in action.

It can be said that if something needed doing in Plymouth, the first call was to Ed Santos.

In a day when communities are divided, fewer and fewer people want to serve. We live in an environment that includes threats - and actual acts of violence, slander, betrayal, and exposure to the so-called “crazies” among us. We need a renewed interest in community service. 

Edward W. Santos, and those like him, come around rarely. Plymouth has probably never experienced such a giver of time, expertise and money. 

How can such a life and legacy be celebrated? By celebrating those, who like Ed, give of themselves to make the lives of those who call Plymouth home, better.

For that reason, the Edward W. Santos Community Service Award is fitting.