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    <h3 class="title">"Whatever You Have For Me, Dear Lord, I�m Open!"</h3>
    <h4 class="titlesmall">UPDATE: April 14, 2010</h4>
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    <p>My life is and always has been one of serving and praising the Good Lord; thankful for the opportunity to serve others on a daily basis. So many folks have remarked, "You always say you are excellent and project a positive attitude". My response, "I begin my day every day with the words, <strong><em>"Whatever You Have For me Dear Lord, I�m Open to it!"</em></strong> For many more years than I can count, I close every conversation (including business meetings) with the words, <strong><em>"God Love You!"</em></strong></p>
	<p>As I contemplated the question posed to me in the last update, specifically, <strong><em>"Mr. Haddad, as you sit back and look at the past 7 years, what have you learned from this experience?"</em></strong>, I began by jotting down thoughts that immediately popped into my mind. After 6 pages of notes and quotes, and organizing the information; I decided it will take 3-4 updates to present and express that which I have learned from the past 7+ years with there being a need to dedicate a single update as a preface for that which I shall present.</p>
	<p><u>PREFACE -</u> <strong><em>"Mr. Haddad, as you sit back and look at the past 7 years, what have you learned from this experience?"</em></strong></p>
	<p>In order to understand where I come from and "what kind of tobacco I chew on any given day", you need to know my belief system, what I truly believe, and what motivates me every moment of every day of my life. </p>
	<p>I BELIEVE -</p>
	<ul>
	<li><strong><em>"Life is not just about life - Life is about an eternal focus!"</em></strong></li>
	<li>"Every day is a <strong><em>blessing</em></strong> & not a curse!"</li> 
	<li>"We don�t know what we don�t know!"</li>
	<li>"All the facts need to be gathered and assessed before one reacts!"</li>
	<li> "The voice of Satan is valued by the weak of spirit and the weak of mind!"</li>
	<li><strong><em>"It�s not what goes into your mouth that makes you un-clean; it�s what comes out of your mouth that makes you un-clean!"</em></strong></li>
	<li>"Satan�s slaves are endlessly <strong><em>bound</em></strong> by his curse!"</li>
	<li>"Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord�s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts Him in Truth!"</li>
	<li>"Faith is the <strong><em>only</em></strong> means of God�s Grace!"</li>
	<li>"Love of money and money as one�s idol - is the root of all evil!"</li>
	<li>"Satan�s slaves breathe "denial" and "rationalization!"</li>
	<li><strong><em>"Satan�s disciples (blatant sinners) celebrate the Crucifixion of Christ whereas Disciples of Christ celebrate His Resurrection!"</em></strong></li>
	<li>"I believe death, as we know it, is reversible with Christ in our hearts!"</li>
	<li>"One�s life focus must be guided by <strong><em>transparency</em></strong>; and not by concealment, obfuscation, and deception - if eternity with the Good Lord is possible.</li>

	</ul>
	
	<p>In 1961 at the age of 16, I was offered a summer position at Nordgren Memorial Chapel by both Carl and Rudy Nordgren. There I met Harry Mangsen and Jack Carrigan. Harry Mangsen was a nephew of the Nordgren Brothers, and Jack Carrigan was an embalmer and funeral director along with Harry and Carl & Rudy. For two (2) summers, I worked day and night with Harry and Jack as they taught me the funeral business from the ground up. </p>
	<p>Harry and Jack were two (2) of the funniest men I had ever met, and seldom were they serious and not clowning around in one way or another (except obviously during the funeral processes). I learned so much from Harry and Jack and when I left for college Carl and Rudy Nordgren gave me a glowing reference along with a pen set that I still have to this very day. I would often stop by when I returned from college to visit and have a coca-cola with them in Nordgren�s break room, which also served as the night men�s living quarters.</p>
	<p>In 1965 my dad died suddenly and along with my mother and sister, I made funeral arrangements for my dad with Nordgren�s. They did an outstanding job from the preparation, visitation, and funeral - which was sort of rushed due to Holy Week in the Orthodox Church (different from the traditional Holy Week for many in the Christian Community). My love and respect for these folks (Carl, Rudy, Harry and Jack) had no limits. There was no question I asked that each did not hesitate to assist me with. In many respects as I look back on it now, all four (4) became mentors to me at one time or another.</p>
	<p>What was obvious to me with all four (4) was their deep spirituality and commitment to doing what was right each day in the operations of the funeral home and in how they dealt with their client families. Each was active in their respective churches and was committed to doing what was right in their hearts before the Good Lord.</p>
	<p>Over the years, I came to know Pauline Mangsen (wife of Harry Mangsen - and mother of Kurt Mangsen) and Laura Carrigan (wife of Jack Carrigan and mother of Stephen Carrigan) quite well. When Laura Carrigan died, I returned to Nordgren�s to be there for Jack, who was obviously devastated by the loss. I would return to the funeral home often to just be around and be someone Jack could speak with.</p>
	<p>I joined Nordgren�s once again in 1994 after spending 12 years with Chester Caswell and the Caswell-King Funeral Home family. At this juncture, Stephen Carrigan (Jack�s son) was now a licensed funeral director as was Kurt Mangsen (Harry�s son). With Carl having passed and Rudy retired (for the most part), Harry and Jack had now assumed the roles previously held by Carl and Rudy, with Steve and Kurt assuming the roles previously held by Harry and Jack. </p>
	<p>Rejoining Nordgren�s after being away for 32 years (1962-1994) was like coming home once again. Jack and Harry had personally changed little over the years. Harry remained more reserved being more of an introvert as he always was. Jack, on the other hand, was the consummate extravert - probably one of the best "smoozers" I had ever met - and although Jack has now passed, he remains to this very day one of the best networkers I have ever encountered.</p>
	<p>But what had changed and what became evident to me almost immediately was a bit of friction between Jack and Harry as a result their sons, Steve and Kurt. Steve Carrigan was worked very hard by his father, Jack, who wished to instill in Steve similar circumstances he and Harry experienced years earlier under the direction of Carl and Rudy Nordgren. In addition to embalming, making removals, and being a jack of all trades, Steve Carrigan would make funeral arrangements with families.</p>
	<p>On the other hand, Harry�s son, Kurt, was much less of a "go-getter" and waited for direction rather then taking initiative on his own. Kurt did not make funeral arrangements with families; necessitating that Harry always be there to make the arrangements with families; where Jack was able to have Steve assume this task without concern. I was soon to learn there were reasons for these circumstances. Harry would, time and time again, attempt to defend Kurt�s actions (or lack of action) as Jack would accuse Harry of covering for Kurt. At times the conversation would become ugly with Jack accusing Harry of interceding with the Massachusetts Funeral Board in courting favor in order for Kurt to get a funeral director�s license. I do not know if there is any merit to these accusations (and I could care less). When Jack made these comments in my presence, I would say, "There is no place for comments like this in this professional business environment!" One could see that these comments were very hurtful to Harry, but in all instances I observed, Harry would just get up out of the chair he was sitting in and walk out of the office. The aforementioned circumstances did little to instill confidence in Kurt and the hurt Kurt felt was over-powering.</p>
	<p>With Harry�s untimely illness devastating the Mangsen Family, I was called upon by both Harry and Pauline Mangsen to shepherd and protect Kurt (their son). As mentioned in previous updates, after meeting privately with Harry and Pauline on several occasions, Harry asked Kurt to arrange for me to accompany Harry and Kurt on one last cruise around Lake Quinsigamond on Harry�s boat. With Kurt at the helm, Harry and I spoke and "cried" as Harry committed me to promises to support Kurt in specific ways now and in the future. With Harry�s passing came a renewed and special relationship between Pauline Mangsen and me. Where Harry was specific, yet subdued, in our conversations; Pauline began to open up to me in a way that I was unprepared for. She wanted me to know their (her) circumstances, why things were the way they were, and almost in a manner of confession and repentance, Pauline and I would speak 2-3 times weekly. </p>
	<p>On no less than 3 occasions, was I invited and accepted invitations to Pauline�s home at the Briarwood Apartment Complex, unbeknownst to Kurt and Pauline�s family. Pauline confided in me and yet cautioned me at the same time concerning her family as well as others associated with the funeral home. I had learned the value of listening years previously and the value of processing that which was shared; and yet drawing my own conclusions. Some of what Pauline shared with me was either obvious to me or was an issue that Harry had mentioned in less dramatic fashion in previous conversations. Other conversational subjects were more surprising and shocking, and kind of caught me off guard to some degree, although I did not let on as to my inner reaction. But after listening intently, many things that did not necessarily make a great deal of sense to me in the pass, became clear. </p>
	<p>Upon the passing of his dad, Harry and with no business experience and with no experience in meeting with families to make funeral arrangements, Kurt Mangsen became president of Nordgren Memorial Chapel. As time went on, Kurt�s distain, distrust, and actual hatred for the Carrigan�s (Jack and Steve) became so prevalent that Kurt would oftentimes retreat to his home and be AWOL from the funeral home without notice to anyone. Time and time again, Betty Sander (secretary / bookkeeper), Jimmy O�Connor, and yours truly would cover for Kurt as best we could - attempting to conduct business as usual. </p>
	<p>Through good times and less than good times, thank God for the stable and professional arm of Nordgren Memorial Chapel�s long-standing corporate counsel, Paul Revere O�Connell, who saw to it that balance and understanding always survived any and all areas of potential conflict. Atty. O�Connell was the voice of reason at every juncture and a valued team player in the success of Nordgren Memorial Chapel for decades. The same scenario existed with Nordgren Memorial Chapel�s corporate accounting firm, which had been a trusted advisor, also for decades.</p>
	<p>As time passed, Kurt Mangsen wanted nothing to do with the Carrigan�s and walked away from and abandoned the decision-making process; leaving all decisions for the operation of the business to Jack Carrigan, treasurer of the Corporation. Jack Carrigan, Nordgren�s treasurer, would make all financial and operational decisions and relate them to Kurt as he deemed necessary. Kurt would come to the funeral home after hours and review fiscal expenditures from the Corporation�s operating check book.</p>
	<p>Now that I have provided an accurate and somewhat detailed back drop for providing a response to the question -</p>
	<p><strong><em>"Mr. Haddad, as you sit back and look at the past 7 years, what have you learned from this experience?",</em></strong> </p>
    <p>in the next update, I will present the 1st in a several part series of what I have learned as a result of experiences of the past 7 years. As I do so, I shall present specific circumstances, statements, and actions of person(s) that occurred during this period that support that which I have learned. The circumstances, statements, and actions to be presented will come directly from the public record with documentation in all instances in my possession.</p>
    <p><u>As an addendum to this update,</u> Anthony, our law school student in Texas, has asked if I would consider conveying the entire case file to his class for a case study analysis for the fall term. As it is my position that this case needs to be reviewed in greater detail at a higher court level, I have indicated to Anthony that he should approach the Department Head at the college to see if they would be in agreement with his request. If the college would agree to a full and complete analysis of all documentation and decisions in this matter, I would strongly consider agreeing to transfer the complete proceedings record (including Administrative as well as Judicial proceedings) dating from November 19, 2003 to date.  STAY TUNED!!</p>
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