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    <h3 class="title">PART 1.   "Mr. Haddad, as you sit back and look at the past 7 years, what have you learned from this experience?"</h3>
    <h4 class="titlesmall">UPDATE: April 29, 2010</h4>
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    <p>In the last update (April 14, 2010) I prefaced the question - <strong><em>"Mr. Haddad, as you sit back and look at the past 7 years, what have you learned from this experience?"</em></strong> - with what are my core beliefs and a bit of history prior to the Mangsen�s (and me) purchasing the Carrigan�s interest in Nordgren Memorial Chapel.</p>
	<p>What I have witnessed during the past 7 years and what I shall expand upon in the next several updates are my observations and reactions to statements and actions of person(s) (to be clearly identified), who have and to this very day championed <strong><em>concealment, obfuscation, and deception</em></strong> � and all this time you thought C.O.D. stood for "cash on delivery."</p>
	<p>To assist you in understanding how Satan and his demons have engulfed those soon to be identified with specifics from the public record, I thought it appropriate to delineate in specific detail the "true" meaning of the acronym - C.O.D.</p>
	<ul>
	<li><strong>CONCEALMENT</strong></li>
	<ul>
		<li>The act of hindering or preventing the discovery, knowledge, or sight of something. </li> 
		<li>The hiding or placement of an object out of notice or sight. The concealment by deeds or speech of something that one has a duty to reveal</li>
		<li>The failure to inform another of a material fact that one has a duty to reveal, with the intention that the other party rely upon the omission to his or her detriment</li>
		<li>The concealment of something by maintaining silence when one has a duty to speak</li>
	</ul>
	<li><strong>OBFUSCATION</strong></li>
	<ul>
		<li>The process of darkening or obscuring so as to hinder ready analysis.</li> 
		<li>To make so confused or opaque as to be difficult to perceive or understand: "A great effort was made...to obscure or obfuscate the truth"</li>
		<li>To render indistinct or dim; darken</li>
		<li>The act or an instance of making something obscure, dark, or difficult to understand</li>
	</ul>
	<li><strong>DECEPTION</strong></li>
	<ul>
		<li>Causing one to believe what is not true or fail to believe what is true</li> 
		<li>Likely or designed to deceive; misleading </li>
		<li>Designed to deceive or mislead</li>
		<li>Fraudulent; disposed to cheat or defraud or deceive</li>
	</ul>

	</ul>
	
	<p>I have always let my heart guide my actions and, as such, would always speak the truth in the kindest and gentlest of ways possible. I believed and do to this very day, in-spite of what I shall soon share with you, that <strong><em>honesty, sincerity, and true to ones word</em></strong> are key essential elements if salvation and a life with the Good Lord beyond our earthly existence is possible. If my belief is accurate and with my faith being routed in the Bible, I suspect those soon to be identified have already been judged with their judgment yet to be imposed� but to be implemented at any moment.</p>
	<p>As I continue on from where I left off in the last update, I have spent a great deal of time assessing at what point did a very successful funeral service operation begin to implode. Each time I arrive at the same conclusions. There were several instances that gradually and sadly lead to the coming apart of Nordgren Memorial Chapel.</p>
	<p>The first such instance was the passing of Harry Mangsen (Kurt�s dad). I stated in the previous update that Kurt couldn�t stand the Carrigans and his distrust of them (although never substantiated) ate away at him each and every day. So when Harry passed on, Kurt had arranged in advance for Harry to be transported to Miles Funeral Home in Holden and for Bob Biggins, a former night man at Nordgren�s and now owner of a funeral home in Rockland, MA, to see to the preparation and direction of Harry�s funeral � thereby keeping the Carrigans at a distance throughout the funeral process. Obviously, this did not sit well with Jack and Steve Carrigan and just sent up a "red flag" throughout the funeral community of the division that permeated the funeral home at this point.</p>
	<p>The second instance that gradually and sadly lead to the coming apart of Nordgren Memorial Chapel was the belief of Kurt Mangsen that Steve Carrigan was stealing monies from the funeral home with his father�s knowledge and consent. Fearful the current and long-standing accounting firm, which had serviced Nordgren�s for many many years, would not be responsive to fairly and impartially determining if Kurt�s assessment of the situation was correct, somehow (and I have no idea who referred Kurt to her), Kurt found Johanna Higham, a Certified Public Accountant in Westborough to review Nordgren�s books. Ms Higham was soon convinced Steve Carrigan was in fact stealing funds from the corporation. Again fearful long-standing Nordgren corporate attorney and family friend, Paul Revere O�Connell, might not be responsive to fairly and impartially determining if Kurt�s assessment and that of Ms. Higham was accurate, it is my understanding that Ms. Higham referred Kurt Mangsen to Atty. Scott S. Sinrich, of the Law Firm � Phillips, Silver, Talman, Aframe, & Sinrich, P.C. in Worcester, MA.</p>
	<p>The third instance that gradually and sadly lead to the coming apart of Nordgren Memorial Chapel, and which came on the heals of the 2nd instance referenced above, was the calling of an emergency meeting of the Nordgren Memorial Chapel�s corporation � knowing full-well that both Jack and Stephen Carrigan were away and that Nordgren�s Corporate Counsel, Paul Revere O�Connell was to be served with the notice on a weekend, when he too was not going to be available. I was asked to be present as a witness and agreed to be present only after Ms. Higham (the newly found accountant) assured me that it was a fact that funds were being taken inappropriately from the funeral home.</p>
	<p>At this emergency meeting held at the offices of Phillips, Silver, Talman, Aframe, & Sinrich, P.C. in Worcester, MA. were Kurt and Katherine Mangsen, Atty. Sinrich, Ms. Higham, and me. The first order of business was an explanation of what was found and determined to be factual by Ms. Higham (the accountant). There was a motion to terminate Stephen Carrigan immediately and <strong><em>without pay</em></strong>. I stated, <em>"Wait a minute. This is America, and a person is still presumed to be innocent until proven otherwise. If this is your decision, I want no part of it."</em></p>
	<p>I was then asked by Atty. Sinrich what did I suggest? I responded, "If it is your decision to terminate Stephen Carrigan for what you believe to be legitimate reasons, then you must terminate him <strong><em>with pay</em></strong> � until you are able to prove he has taken monies inappropriately. Katherine Mangsen vehemently rejected this position. I stated, "I�m out of here" and I got up to leave. At that point, Kurt said, "Wait!"  He then turned to Atty. Sinrich and Ms. Higham, and then to his wife, Katherine, and said, "Maybe Phil is right", and it was decided to terminate Stephen Carrigan <strong><em>with pay</em></strong> pending a review and investigation into Ms. Higham�s analysis.</p>
	<p>There was no further investigation or legal action taken by either party. It was decided amongst the Carrigans and the Mangsens through their respective attorneys that either one family or the other would purchase the other�s interest in the business. Kurt was insistent that he keep the business and family name going, and decided to purchase the Carrigan�s interest in the business.</p>
	<p>In order to accomplish this, I was asked by Kurt Mangsen to invest $50,000 in the acquisition of the Carrigan�s interest in Nordgren Memorial Chapel, and for which I would acquire a 3% interest (139 shares of Nordgren�s Class A stock). I did not have $50,000 (or anywhere close to $50K) available to meet this request. I asked my wife, Carolyn, if she would agree to a refinance of our residence in order to generate the $50,000. Reluctant as she was to agree to this and yet having witnessed the time and  energy I exerted to support Kurt and my commitment to Kurt�s mom and dad, Carolyn finally did agree to the refinance and we took $50,000 equity from our residence to assist Kurt in the buy-out of the Carrigan�s portion of the business.</p>
	<p>Jack Carrigan, with the assistance of his attorney, John Mirick (Mirick, O�Connell, DeMallie, & Lougee, LLP in Worcester), filed a complaint against Nordgren�s new corporate counsel, Scott S. Sinrich, with the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers for Atty. Sinrich�s actions in calling an emergency meeting of Nordgren Memorial Chapel�s Shareholders knowing full well the Carrigans (50% owners of the funeral home) were not able to be in attendance. </p>
	<p>Atty. Sinrich was presented with the complaint from the Mass BBO and was required to respond. In doing so, he prepared an affidavit for Kurt Mangsen to sign and also an affidavit for me to sign � both of which were to be submitted along with his response to the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers. I wasn�t aware of the complaint until Atty. Sinrich handed me the affidavit to sign, indicating it needed to be forwarded immediately. I changed a couple of words; and at Atty. Sinrich�s encouragement and demand due to supposed time constraints, I signed the affidavit immediately (a copy of which I have in my possession). What transpired thereafter, I have no idea; but if history is any indication, I suspect the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers dismissed the complaint utilizing the phrase � "We have exercised our right to prosecutorial discretion and will not take further action" � thereby enabling the attorney the opportunity to walk away � <strong><em>unscathed</em></strong>. More on the issue of the B.B.O. in a subsequent update.</p>
	<p>The next issue which is indicative of the way and manner in which viciousness had become routine at Nordgren Memorial Chapel was correspondence from Katherine Mangsen to the independent funeral industry association � The Order of the Golden Rule.</p>
	<p>Carl and Rudy Nordgren and Nordgren Memorial Chapel became members of the Order of the Golden Rule, a non-profit Funeral Industry Association whose motto and commitment is, Members of OGR are governed by the Golden Rule � "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you", in the 1950�s. Nordgren�s was the only funeral home in Worcester to be admitted into membership in OGR. So proud and committed to OGR and its principles were Carl and Rudy Nordgren that as you entered the funeral home reception area, directly behind the receptionist was a plaque stating "guided not by rule, but by The Golden Rule." Jack Carrigan was Nordgren�s representative to OGR and even served on its governing board for several years. Jack was highly respected within the organization and was selected as the liaison for potential new members in Massachusetts. </p>
	<p>Katherine Mangsen, believing Jack Carrigan was aware of and involved in the misappropriation of monies at Nordgren Memorial Chapel (as relayed to her by Accountant, Johanna Higham � but never proven), forwarded correspondence to the Executive Director of OGR accusing Jack Carrigan of this fact and demanding his termination as a Board Member and appropriate action be taken. The Executive Director, OGR, had the good sense and professional ethics to respond that until such allegations were proven, OGR was not prepared to take any action.</p>
	<p>At some point thereafter, and after my termination from Nordgren�s as an employee without advanced notification on November 19, 2003, I observed from correspondence listing OGR membership that Nordgren Memorial Chapel was no longer a member of OGR. As an owner of the funeral home (139 Class A Shares), I contacted Kurt Mangsen, president of Nordgren Memorial Chapel, questioning the fact and asking if there was a mistake in the OGR posting not listing Nordgren�s as a member of OGR and requesting an explanation. Needless to say, to this day (years later), Kurt Mangsen and Nordgren Memorial Chapel has yet to respond to this shareholder�s request for clarification. </p>
	<p>What is known and factual is that Nordgren Memorial Chapel is no longer a member of the International Order of the Golden Rule � an honor which was cherished and endeared by both Carl and Rudy Nordgren, and for which they personally took great pride in being active members. I often wonder what Carl and Rudy Nordgren�s reactions are (in heaven) to the actions of Kurt Mangsen (their nephew) and his wife, Katherine.</p>
    <p>The last issue to be addressed in this update and which bothers me to this very day is the issue of the passing of Jack Carrigan. As referenced in the last update (preface to the subject matter at hand), Jack Carrigan�s life was as a funeral director and embalmer at Nordgren Memorial Chapel and as an owner of Nordgren Memorial Chapel for many years - for a total of close to (possibly more than) 50 years. (My personal knowledge of Jack�s participation and involvement in Nordgren Memorial Chapel goes from 1961-2002, and I know Jack was associated at Nordgren�s long before I arrived on the scene in 1961). </p>
    <p>When Jack Carrigan passed away his funeral was conducted, not at Nordgren Memorial Chapel � his home for many decades, but at Caswell-King Funeral Home - a mile or two from Nordgren�s. Much of the success Nordgren Memorial Chapel enjoyed in the 80�s, 90�s and early 2000�s was a direct result of Jack Carrigan and his ability to genuinely reach out to families at their time of need. With Harry Mangsen�s passing in the mid 90�s, it was Jack Carrigan who kept the cohesiveness of the day to day operations of the funeral home in tact and assured the future of the funeral home. And yet, when Jack was to pass, his funeral was conducted from other than where he had devoted the majority of the years of his life. How sad!</p>
    <p>What does this tell you?</p>
    <p>As you know if you have followed this web site as many do on a regular basis that I am guided and motivated by <strong><em>"truth"</em></strong> for � </p>
    <p><strong><em>"Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord�s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts him in truth!"</em></strong></p>
	<p>Just look around you today and all you see is concealment, obfuscation, and deception � cardinal virtues of the wicked. Lest we forget for a single moment, Satan and his demons (they do exist) prey on and tempt the weak of heart and the weak of mind each and every moment of each and every day. The wicked are bound by Satan�s curse and the Good Lord is not prepared or willing to waste time on those who turn from Him and turn from the truth!</p>
	<p>I�ll share one last thought with you in this update. I recently had a conversation with a person of the cloth, who made one of the most profound statements of truth I have heard in recent times. His statement � </p>
	<p><strong><em>"Mr. Haddad, life here on earth is but a single season of one�s life as compared to eternity. Those who do not realize this fact and are engrossed in evil doings in the face of God have chosen a life without God on earth and most certainly a life without God in eternity. Their choice now is a fate worse than any death any of us is capable of imagining. As is referenced so often in the Bible, the path of the Lord is narrow, whereas the path to Hell is paved with the wickedness of many."</em></strong></p>
	<p>Before praying for those afflicted with evil as their means of traversing this life, I was reminded of the following �</p>
	<p>"Blessed are those who fear the Lord" <strong>(Romans 28:14A)</strong></p>
	<p>"Do not let your heart envy sinners, But live in the fear of the LORD always." <strong>(Proverbs 23:17)</strong></p>
	<p>"But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God," <strong>(Romans 2:5)</strong></p>
	<p>At this point we prayed for the Mangsen�s, Atty. Sinrich, Ron Johnson, those at the Massachusetts Funeral Board, Division of Professional Licensure, and those at the Worcester Superior Court; and for the soul of John Kazlauskas (who just may have gone to prepare a place for those listed above). (See Archived update- October 8, 2007).</p>
	<p>The lessons learned are many, and I shall continue to share them with you. Stay tuned for Part 2 - coming soon.</p>
	<p>Blessings to all.</p>
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