East Providence Man Honored With National 'Never Quit' Award

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – An East Providence man helping to make meals a little brighter at the Rhode Island Veterans Home has been recognized with a national award from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Mark Simonson, a cook's helper at the veterans home in Bristol, was honored with the AFSCME's Never Quit Service Award for taking great pride in their work and doing the extra step to make lives better around them.

The AFSCME said Simonson, a member of AFSCME, AFL-CIO Local 904, attempts to spice up the daily routine of the Foxtrot unit in the veterans home with extra touches on desserts, musical serenades for residents and preparing an extra snack or drink whenever residents want them. He also acts to comfort many of them as their health declines, saying he will provide water and hold the hands of the residents suffering from Alzheimer's disease while they are on a morphine drip during the final stages of their lives.

The 61-year-old is taking courses toward a degree in business health care management at the Eastern Gateway Community College through AFSCME's Free College Benefit.