FHS Hall of Fame Inducts Five New Members
Five new members were inducted into the Fairhaven High School Hall of Fame on Sunday, June 28, 2009 at the Century House. The 2009 inductees are (L-R) Michael Gill ‘86, Crystal Therrien ‘99, Charles Gomes ‘54, Melissa DeValles ‘98, and Mark Lombardo ‘80. (Photo courtesy of Jim Mahaney ‘68)
Charles Gomes ‘54
Known as “The Rock”, Charlie played three sports at Fairhaven High School (football, basketball and baseball), but his greatest contributions cam after high school when he established a reputation along the entire East Coast as a tough-as-nails tugboat pilot. After receiving enough credits to graduate from FHS, Charlie left Fairhaven in his senior year to join the Marines and serve in Korea. Upon his discharge three years later, he was hired by Morania Oil Tanker Corp. where he worked for 43 years as a tugboat pilot. Towing assignments took him all along the United States coasts and places throughout the world. In the 1970’s he assisted in the rescue of three men from a sinking fishing vessel and a decade later he was instrumental in saving the life of a young boy who had fallen from the dock into the water. He assisted in containing a massive oil leak off of Buzzard’s Bay in 2003, two years after his retirement, and continues to be “on call” in the event a tug company needs assistance. Charlie has been married to his wife Pauline for more than 40 years and they have two children and three grandchildren.
Mark Lombardo ‘80
This three sport athlete earned seven varsity letters between his sophomore and senior years - six of them in football and basketball. In football he played quarterback, and in his senior season Mark helped engineer Fairhaven’s first victory over New Bedford High School in 20 years by rushing for more than 100 yards and scoring the game’s only touchdown. That same season Lombardo led the Southeastern Massachusetts Conference in rushing yards and was considered the area’s premier option quarterback. In basketball Mark capped off a solid three year varsity career by averaging more than 18 points per game during his senior season while being named to several area all-star teams. Following his graduation, the senior class valedictorion enrolled at Tufts University where he continued to excel in football. Today Mark lives in California with his wife, Rong, and his son, Alexander.
Michael Gill ‘86
Mike Gill earned seven letters during his four years at FHS playing football, hockey and baseball. Mike was a starting guard on the 1985 football team and was selected for the South Coast All-Conference team. He also lettered for the baseball team during his junior and senior seasons as a third baseman and pitcher. On the ice Mike was a four year letterman garnering over 100 points while playing as a defenseman and serving as team captain during his junior and senior years. Upon graduation from Fairhaven High School, Mike Gill attended Northeastern University where he graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice in June 1990. In October 1990 he graduated from the Rhode Island State Police Academy, and in 1994 he earned a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice from Salve Regina University. Mike is currently a Sergeant with the Rhode Island State Police and lives in Bristol, RI with his wife Jane (McQuillan ‘86) and their two children Erin and Sean.
Melissa DeValles ‘98
An outstanding student-athlete, Melissa earned 12 varsity letters in five sports culminating in her receiving the “Athlete for All Seasons” award all four years of her high school career. She graduated 10th in her class and received the Standard-Times Leadership Award and was recognized as the 1998 Outstanding Female Athlete at FHS. Missy played volleyball and softball for one year, lettering in both, and also played soccer for three seasons where she earned South Coast All-Conference honors each year. She was the leading scorer in the conference and the 6th highest scorer in the state during the 1997 season. As a four year starter for the basketball team Missy set a school record for assists (350) and also scored 700 career points. Melissa captained the basketball team during her junior and senior seasons and was nominated for the Dave Cowens Award after her senior season. She graduated from Mass. Maritime Academy with a B.S. in Marine Engineering. Melissa received her commission in the U.S. Naval Reserves in May 2003. Currently she lives in Naperville, IL and works as a project developer for Recycled Energy Development.
Crystal Therrien ‘99
Crystal Therrien was one of the most talented all-around athletes in New England, earning thirteen varsity letters on her way to being selected as the “Athlete for All Season” four times. In Track she was a force to be reckoned with, owning 11 FHS records, 9 of which still stand today. Crystal was selected as the 1998 Standard-Times Track Athlete of the Year and in 1999 she was named the Standard-Times Female Athlete of the Year. She was named to the Standard-Times Super All-Star Track Team seven times, four years outdoors and three years indoors. Crystal won a total of 39 medals in the Class D State Meets and New England Championships. She is the only FHS athlete to ever win the State Heptathalon, competing against 88 of the best female athletes in the state. Crystal also competed in soccer for three seasons and was named to the Standard-Times Super Soccer Team during her senior year in which she captained her team to a record of 14-3-1 and made it all the way the the semi-finals of the State Tournament.