FHS Alumni News

On Sunday, June 27, 2010 the Fairhaven High School Hall of Fame inducted 7 new members at the annual banquet at the Century House.  Pictured (Front L-R) are: Thomas “Danny” Santos ‘57, Coach Hal Cornforth, and Ken Lanoue ‘58,  (Back L-R) Bob LeBeau ‘62,  Trevor Sykes ‘96 and Steve Paquette ‘69.  Not pictured is David Bosworth, Jr. ‘31.  [Photo courtesy of Jim Mahaney ‘68].

David “Red” Bosworth, Jr.  ‘31

David played football, baseball, basketball and ran track in his freshman year, settled into football and track in his sophomore and junior years, and added baseball again in his senior year.  Football was his best sport and as a senior, he was selected as the left halfback on the All-Bristol County Team in 1930.  He led all of Bristol County in touchdowns with 13 while helping Fairhaven craft a record of 8-1, the lone loss coming to a strong Boston College High School team, 26-9. Bosworth was a workhorse running back on the 1930 team that stunned a heavily-favored New Bedford High team, 18-6 before a crowd of 6,000.  The win was called “one of the biggest in school history.” The Fairhaven Star newspaper noted in its reporting of Fairhaven’s 31-6 win over DeLaSalle Academy of Rhode Island:  “Red Bosworth, veteran halfback, gained the most ground for yardage either off tackle or around the ends.  On a number of occasions he out-sprinted the opposing ends and halfbacks by sheer individual effort to make 10 to 15 yards and he also scored the first two Fairhaven touchdowns.” In being selected to the All-County team, the New Bedford Times write-up said, (lining up) “beside (quarterback) Steminski is placed Coach Wells’ red-headed blue streak, Dave Bosworth.  The fact that he scored 13 touchdowns to lead the county in scoring alone would make him a good choice for the mythical eleven but he has other qualifications in that he is an excellent thrower of the short, deceptive variety of forward passes.  As a hip-shaker, Red is in a class by himself.”

Thomas “Danny” Santos ‘57

Danny Santos earned nine varsity letters in football, track and baseball in his three years at Fairhaven High School and still found the time to stay active CYO teams from St. Mary’s in North Fairhaven.  He attended Sacred Hearts Academy in North Fairhaven and his brother proudly proclaims that “he was one of the top seven students, in a class of seven.” Danny came from a football family where his brothers Armand and Mike were outstanding players in their own right for the Livesey Club and the Varsity Club.  It had an effect on Danny as he started for the F.H.S. varsity team in his sophomore year at offensive guard and defensive tackle.  In his junior and senior years he continued at the guard position and moved to linebacker on defense earning a spot on the All Bristol County team in 1956 and proving to be one of the finest linemen in Fairhaven Football’s celebrated history. He started his high school baseball career in the outfield and filled in as catcher in his sophomore year.  He earned the starting position as catcher for both his junior year while batting near .300 each season.  Danny also competed in Track & Field in the shot put event. Danny’s mother passed away in his junior year and his neighbors and family friends Roger and Edna Demanche took him in and provided Danny with the support and encouragement to continue his education.  As a result Danny continued his education at the University of Massachusetts where he captained the football team and earned a degree in food management. In 1962 Danny enlisted in the U. S. Army and was stationed in Germany.  Upon his discharge he settled in England Hendon College of Technology near London where he met his lovely wife of over 40 years, Jane.   It was while in England that Danny fell in love with the game of Rugby and taught his British counterparts the finer points of American baseball.  Danny now resides in New Zealand where he supports the local rugby team, plays golf and takes great pleasure in the lives of his three children and two grandchildren.

Kenneth Lanoue ‘58

Ken “Spider” Lanoue attended Fairhaven High School during an era filled with historic moments, many of which were provided by Ken himself.  He was a four sport athlete who earned a total of 9 varsity letters in his four years at F.H.S. Ken played baseball for three years earning the starting shortstop position in his junior year.  He earned a varsity letter in his junior year playing for Hall of Fame Coach Alec Clement.  Ken earned three varsity letters while playing for two of Fairhaven’s Tennis coaching icons, George Cook and Ed Twarog,  Ken played four years of basketball under Coach Mel Entin earning varsity letters in his junior and senior years.  In his junior year Ken contributed to the team’s 12-2 season and a trip to the Tech Tourney.  Although his senior year did not include a post season tournament berth it did provide its share of remarkable memories including great wins over powerful programs such as Taunton, Attleboro, Coyle and Durfee of Fall River on the way to a 10-8 season. He played four years of football earning 3 varsity letters, a Second Team All Bristol County selection in his sophomore year and First Team All Bristol County selections in his junior and senior years.  Ken was a “triple threat” for the team as he was known to throw the long pass, was a shifty running back and the best kicker in the county both for extra points and punts.  Fairhaven fans still recall Ken’s 1956 game against New Bedford Vocational when he scored two touchdowns and kicked four extra points earning him the New Bedford Times Star of the Week.  A similar memorable performance occurred in his senior year when he scored a touchdown and extra point in Fairhaven’s 7-0 win and third consecutive win over arch-rival New Bedford. A U.S. Navy veteran and “Tin Can Sailor,” Ken served aboard the U.S.S. Barry DD 933 stationed in Newport RI where he helped the Newport Naval Base Football team to an 11-2 record in 1963.  Ken also played several seasons with the Fairhaven Varsity Club and won the Southeastern Semi-Pro Championship in 1964.

Bob LeBeau ‘62

Bobby Lebeau’s first love was baseball and he spent most of his young life preparing for a spot on the FHS team by playing ball at all levels from Little League to Pony League and from CYO to Legion ball.  His love and dedication to the game paid off at Fairhaven High School where he played at the varsity level for three years earning Bristol County All-Star selections at short-stop in 1961 and 1962.   In 1961, Bobby’s .312 batting average helped Fairhaven to a Bristol County League Championship and a trip to the State Tournament where the “Blue” defeated Natick 3-2 before bowing out in the semi-finals to eventual State Champion Wellesley High School.  Bobby continued his torrid hitting pace in 1962 batting .322 for the season.  After his high school career Bobby played college ball for two years at New Bedford Tech. Bobby also excelled in basketball and played for the very successful FHS teams that earned State Tech-Tourney berths from 1960-1962 and a Bristol County Co-Championship in 1961.  Bobby played varsity for three of his four years and eventually earned the starting point guard position.  He used his play making ability to set up the “big men” and, according to the Standard Times, had “set himself up to be a shooting threat” in his senior year. Bobby married his high school sweetheart, Carol Whelan ’63 and they have two sons, Keith and Kyle.  Bobby retired as Vice President of Sales for SYSCO Corporation’s Northeast Division and now lives in Maine where he and Carol center their attention on grandson Oliver David Lebeau.

Steve Paquette ‘69

Steve Paquette was a three sport athlete who earned seven letters in his three years at Fairhaven High School competing in the powerful Capeway League.  Steve lettered in football each year and in basketball and baseball in his junior and senior years.  As a junior in basketball, Steve played mostly junior varsity and was “brought up” for several games on the 1968 Capeway League Champions.  In his senior year he earned a starting forward position for Hall of Fame Coach Wayne Wilson.  In baseball, Steve was the starting catcher in his junior and senior years keeping pitchers like Gerry Howland on target.  Fairhaven baseball write ups in the local paper often include play by play descriptions of Steve “stealing third” or hitting “a screaming homer.” Steve was a halfback and defensive safety in football under Head Coach Dick Arietta and was selected to the Standard Times All-Suburban Team and the Taunton Gazette All-Scholastic Team in his senior year, a remarkable feat especially after sitting out most of his junior year with a broken arm.  His selection as the Standard Times “Perfection Player of the Week” aptly describes the type of impact player Steve was during his high school career.  In what every newspaper described as an “upset” win over New Bedford Vocational High School, Steve “ran a second quarter kickoff 91 yards for a backbreaking touchdown and scored again in the third quarter on a four yard run to secure 25-6 victory.”  His 194 yards rushing on 15 carries was an example of the effort Steve brought to every game.  Steve was a co-recipient of the Edmund Andrews Award along with his teammate and friend John Fernandes. in his senior year.

Trevor Sykes ‘96

Trevor Sykes earned eleven varsity letters in his four years at Fairhaven High School playing soccer, basketball and track where he set a number of school and conference records. He was very involved in all aspects of campus life and served as Class Vice-President for four years.  Captain of the soccer team in his senior year, Trevor was selected as a South Coast Conference All Star and as a Standard Times All Star for the second year.  He earned four varsity letters and posted 41 goals in his high school career.  Trevor played basketball for four years at F.H.S. lettering in three years while earning Standard Times All Star status in his junior and senior years as well as a South Coast Conference All Star selection in his senior year.  Trevor’s hard work and commitment in track & field earned him accolades and records throughout his high school career and carried him to great success at the collegiate level.  While at F.H.S., Trevor earned four varsity letters, setting school records in the 400 meter (49.92) and in the high jump (6’ 5”) as well as a South Coast Conference Championship meet record in the 400 meter (50.0.)  Trevor was undefeated in the South Coast Conference 400 meter races for two consecutive years, 1995 and 1996 and earned both the Standard Times and South Coast Conference All Star status in those years.  At the state level, Trevor competed in the 400 meter race placing 2nd in the Class D meets of 1995 and 1996, 5th at the 1996 All State Meet and 6th at the 1996 All New England Meet with a time of 50.16.  After a year of soccer at Bridgewater State College, Trevor transferred to the University of Connecticut where he dedicated himself to his studies and running.  His record breaking pace continued as Trevor and his 4 x 400 relay team set UCONN records indoors (3:11.68) and outdoors (3:10.72.)  During his collegiate career Trevor has competed at some of the nations most prestigious meets such as the Penn Relays (UCONN record 4 x 200, 1:27.03), the New England Indoor Championships (3rd 800m 1:53.78) and the BIG EAST Championships (7th 400m 48.15.)  Trevor is now a doctor of chiropractic medicine with a practice in Annapolis Maryland, where he resides with his wife, Sara.

Coach Hal Cornforth

Hal Cornforth graduated from New Bedford High School in 1947 as president of his class and president of the Honor Society.  As a player at New Bedford, Hal achieved all-county recognition in football and track as well as being awarded the Murphy Memorial Award for excellence in athletics, scholarship and character.  He continued his athletic and scholastic careers at Bates College before attending Officer Candidate School with the U.S. Army.  Hal soon found himself deployed to Korea where he served as a platoon leader and executive officer of a rifle company.  During his tour of duty Coach Cornforth was decorated with the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and a Bronze Star.  Coach Cornforth returned to New Bedford after the Korean War where he served on the coaching staff in football, basketball and baseball for four years.   In 1958 Coach Cornforth joined the staff at FHS as head track coach and assistant football coach and three years later became head football coach.  Coach Cornforth is extremely proud of the fine young men who played football for him and his Line Coach Harry Kummer.  He has fond memories of Fairhaven’s great victories over North Attleboro, Coyle, Taunton, Barnstable and New Bedford Vocational as well as the remarkable fact that his Fairhaven Football Teams were undefeated against Dartmouth on Thanksgiving Day.  Coach Cornforth and his Spring Track athletes rewrote every track record at Fairhaven High School during his tenure with some sensational winning seasons and great individual performances.  The Blue were Belmont Relay Champions in 1961 and 1963 and captured the Bristol County Championship with an undefeated season in 1961.  Six of his student athletes were state class champions and four of those champions as well as two other team members have been inducted into the Fairhaven High School Hall of Fame.  Coach Cornforth was instrumental in establishing winter track and weight-training at Fairhaven High School.  After leaving F.H.S., Coach Cornforth continued his coaching career at Barnstable High School where his club won the State Class C Championship in 1972.  Coach Cornforth is now retired from both education, where he was a popular Housemaster at Barnstable, and the U.S. Army, as a full Colonel.  He lives in Yarmouth on Cape Cod.