THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 23, 2026 Page 3 Saugus native on a yearslong quest to restore a plaque honoring her father might finally get her wish By Siena Gleason P atricia Cadoret is on a mission. The 75-year-old Saugus native is trying to preserve a piece of the town’s history, one that is also interwoven with her own family’s history. The focus of her endeavors is a plaque that was on display at what was then called Belmonte Junior High School — now Belmonte STEAM Academy — in Saugus, where Cadoret’s father, Donald Tibbetts, taught business from 1979 to 1981. That plaque may have been lost during the 2013 renovation of the school, Cadoret suspects. “I feel all consumed in this,” Cadoret said. “I feel as I’m getting older, I just felt the need to push forward and let someone that could help hear my voice.” Now, Cadoret may finally get what she has been looking for. At the Board of Selectmen’s meeting earlier this month, Cadoret addressed the gathered group about her father’s story and the need for the plaque. “For over seven years, I have faced numerous roadblocks and delays just trying to get this plaque reproduced and replaced back to where it belonged,” Cadoret told the Board. Selectman Michael Serino, who had Tibbetts as a teacher, said the Board raised the issue with Town Manager Scott Crabtree after Cadoret spoke at the meeting. Crabtree will need to contact the School Committee to rededicate the plaque because the School Committee handles dedications on school buildings; the selectmen do not have that jurisdiction. A new plaque could be in place as early as spring 2027, he said. “It should be a quick fix,” Serino said. The plaque was originally created in Tibbetts’ honor by former Belmonte Principal Anthony Struzziero. Cadoret has letters from Struzziero addressed to her late mother, confirming the creation of a living memorial honoring Tibbetts’ dedication to the school. “In these letters, he explicitly confirms the official dedication of the grass and rock garden area at the school to my father. Forty-four-plus years ago, Saugus made a promise to my family to honor my father’s legacy,” Cadoret said. Cadoret said she can recall attending the original dedication ceremony with her mother and brother. The plaque was placed in a rock garden at the entrance of the school, an area that TibThe Donald Tibbetts plaque (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) PLAQUE | SEE PAGE 4 ONE SCARY GOOD RATE, JUST FOR MEDFORD Earn 4.75% APY* with our exclusive 7-month Medford CD, only available at our new Medford location. Stop by our 501 High Street branch to open yours and make some easy money. No tricks, just more. Because here, easy means more. Donald Tibbetts teaching in his classroom in 1978 (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) Patricia Cadoret makes her case to selectmen at the board’s Oct. 7 meeting. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net
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