I was graduated, Magna Cum Laude, from American International College (AIC) Springfield MA in 1988. My degrees are in Business Administration and Accounting.
I first became interested in becoming a Justice of the Peace when I was serving as the Chairman of the Board of the American Society of Notaries (ASN), an International association that assists and supports the office of the Notary Public and the International Notaries Public. A Notary Public, however, does not have the authority of a Justice of the Peace, but a Justice of the Peace has the same authority as a Notary Public. ASN realized that in Massachusetts, as well as most states, the Justices were performing the duties of a Notary Public with no training what so ever. It was obvious that I should apply to become a Justice of the Peace in order to help train Justices in their duties as one of their own. Besides..........
My wife says that I am a hopeless romantic.........!
During my past fifteen (15) years as a Justice of the Peace, I have written many different types and styles of ceremonies. My goal is to make a couple comfortable as well as aim every ceremony to be as personalized to the couple as possible. I know that I have succeeded when I hear comments to the effect that the ceremony sounds "like they wrote it themselves."
I have officiated at Conventional and Same Gender Marriages all across the State (A Justice of the Peace in Massachusetts is commisioned for the entire state, not just a town, city, or county). Some of the places that I have been to have been: Banquet Halls, Individual homes, Museums, Parks, on the Majestic Norway Boat in Boston Harbor and even my own home and garden.
Additionally I have officiated at weddings in English, French and even a little Spanish and Portuguesse. Courrement en Français - Hablo Espanol un pocco pero no bien. In my repertoire I have ceremonies that are strong in Irish traditions, Hand Fastings, and Pagan and Christian ceremony. Needless to say I have many ceremonies to choose from.
I will probably be the only person to tell a couple that they can have anything that they want for their ceremony. A small non refundable $50.00 deposit and the balance duejust prior to the ceremony. (It is customary to pay the fee just prior to the ceremony at the same time that the Marriage License is presented) The only requirements a Justice of the Peace must perform is to: ask your Intentions; listen to your vows; and then pronounce you Married.
I only have two (2) things that I will not do - I will not jump out of an airplane and I will not stand within 20 fee of the face of a cliff - to me anything over ten (10) feet is a cliff.
Some couples have taken me up on my suggestion that I can officiate at their ceremony anywhere in Massachusetts. So much so that street numbers do not apply. I have had to use my GPS to determine Longitude and Latitude to report the location of the Marriage. This is especially true when I have officiated on the Connecticut River or in some of the more remote locations of the state. Just let me know where and I i'll be sure to cover myself with insect repellent.
Gardens: As the result of the June 2011 Tornado that hit Springfield, my gardens were seriously damaged. I am in the process of planning my 2012 Garden to include a small Rose section . While it may take some years to fully take hold, it will be planned to make a beautiful background to your outdoor wedding ceremony. Please realize that our gardens have times in which they bloom and times in which they don't. I cannot guarantee those times, obviously, but I do have a good idea of what could be in bloom and I do use Annuals to try to guarantee some color.
Small print: A $50.00 non refundable deposit is required to hold your date and time. (Please realize that this is a small part of the total fee due and not an additional fee.) The balance of your fee should be payed at the time you present your license, I must have the license and the balance due just prior to the ceremony. I cannot officiate at a ceremony without the license and you don't want your first function after you kiss your spouse to be to pay a bill.
I do accept cash. money orders and checks only. Unfortunately I do not accept credit cards.In case of a check with insufficient funds, of which I have had a few in these troubled times, I must impose a $50.00 fee to cover the bank fine et al.
I also cannot be held responsible for any personal damages while on my property, This is our home and gardens and does not have handicapped accessibility 4/15/2005