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From: (Marcia Payne)
Subject: [MAWORCES] Charles P. Gemme biography; ending
Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2003 11:53:37 -0500 (CDT)


In addition to being chief designer and overseer of construction on
these cars, Mr. Gemme is the originator of the combination door, a
combination of screen door and winter door, now in universal use
throughout the country. The neat panels of these doors may be removed at
will and replaced by screens in the summer months. So practicable did
this door prove that every designer of "diners" throughout the country
adopted it in some form or other.
When Mr. Gemme came to this young industry, it employed 7 or 8 men
who did all kinds of work, including repairing and general
blacksmithing. The company was then housed in a building at No. 70
Franklin Street, but afterward, in 1917, removed to the present quarters
at No. 4 Quinsigamond Ave.
The early cars were no larger in dimensions than 7 feet by 16 feet.
Now they measure 23 to 60 feet in length and 10.5 to 14 feet in width,
and cost from $7,000. to $25,000., and more. The company, by far the
largest and oldest engaged in this special line of business in the
United States, employs 40 men.
It was originally established by Philip H. Duprey, who organized it
and became its president; but its growth in more recent times has been
in a large measure the result of Mr. Gemme's effective work.
In addition to his activities with the company, Mr. Gemme is active
in such groups as the St. Joseph's Club, the St. Jean Baptiste Society,
the Harmony Club, and the Chamber of Commerce, all of Worcester. He is a
member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, of this city.
Charles P. Gemme married (1st) in 1911, Alma M. Lacasse, of
Montreal, Providence of Quebec, Canada. The children of this marriage
were:
1) Gertrude, died at 4 years of age.
2) Cecile, born March 17, 1914; graduate of St. Joseph's Grammar School
and Commercial School and Becker's Business College, she then took
special work in shorthand and typewriting and in the operation of the
Dalton adding machine and for her expert work in this particular branch
she received 1st prize, a very beautiful pin, for her ability to write
and add 961 numbers in 4 minutes; afterward she attended the Convent of
the Sisters of St. Anne, Lachine, Quebec, returning then to Worcester
and being given an important position in the office of a leading lawyer,
she is now in the employ of the Ware Pratt Company, and attending the
Northeastern University evening school classes.
3) Rita, born July 18, 1916, graduate from St. Joseph's Grammar School
in French and English and commercial school before she was 16 years of
age, and from Becker's Business College; now a senior at the North High
School, she is also employed by a Worcester lawyer.
4) Margaret, died at 1 year
5) Lucie, born Dec. 13, 1922, attending St. Joseph's Grammar School
6) Yvette, bor March 16, 1925, also attending St. Joseph's
7) Claire, died at 5 months

Mr. Gemme married (2nd) in 1931, Mrs. Marie Anne LeBlanc, of
Worcester, who had 2 sons by a former marriage:
1) Laurence, born Nov. 17, 1917, graduate of St. Joseph's and now in the
commercial class of 1934
2) Omer, born Dec. 13, 1920, in the 7th grade at St. Joseph's.
The Gemme residence is situated at No. 179 Pilgrim Ave., Worcester
and Mr. Gemme's business headquarters are at No. 4 Quinsigamond Ave.,
Worcester.

THE END

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