Business & Tech

Gould Gets This Year's Ankeles Service Award

Treadwell's Ice Cream owner and city councilor Tom Gould, praised as a role model to all, will be honored with this year's Harry Ankeles Award for many years of charitable service.

Each year the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes one of its members for selfless dedication to the community and strong civic leadership -- qualities in the same spirit as the late Harry Ankeles.

Ankeles was a Peabody resident, lawyer and longstanding member of the Chamber lauded as a great business and civic leader. This year's Ankeles Award winner just might be a surprise because he hasn't been so recognized yet.

The Chamber announced on Tuesday that Tom Gould, owner of Treadwell's Ice Cream and who topped the ticket in his inaugural run for the City Council last fall, will receive this year's award for his many years of charitable service in and around Peabody.

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The announcement cited Gould for going "above and beyond to offer help and assistance without hesitation" in numerous ways. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to find an organization in the city that hasn't benefitted yet from donations of ice cream or gift certificates from Treadwell's for fundraisers and the like.

“Tom demonstrates the qualities that we look for when considering how to best represent the legacy of Harry Ankeles. He is the face of community service in Peabody," said Martha Holden, who chairs the service committee for PACC.

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"He (Gould) is incredibly generous with his time and commitment to others, particularly with his dedication to the kids who play for the Challenger League and oncology patients at Mass General Hospital (in Danvers)," said Holden. "Who in Peabody has not been to a charity event at which Tom served ice cream? Tom is a solid Peabody guy.”

Gould and Neal Price started up the Challenger League within Peabody Little League in 1989 and Gould likewise was key in beginning a league for youth basketball as well.

Gould, as ever, was humble in acknowledging the praise.

"It's quite an honor to be recognized and to be in the same company of people such as Arthur Holden, Dave Gravel and Mayor Mike Bonfanti," said Gould on Tuesday.

He joins the ranks of past honorees such as former Mayor Bonfanti, late Mayor Peter Torigian, Holden, Charles and Martha Holden, William Power, Warren Waugh and former City Solicitor Larry O’Keefe.

The PACC came up with the award 20 years ago to recognize business leaders who contribute to the cultural heritage of the city in the same way that Ankeles did throughout his lifetime.

“While many people are generous with their time and talent, Tom is clearly one of those unique individuals whose involvement seems to know no bounds,” said PACC President and CEO Deanne Healey. “He is passionate about his business, our community and its residents and with a 'pay it forward attitude,' is a role model for all of us.”

Gould will be honored at the Chamber’s annual dinner on Nov. 28 at Spinelli’s on Route 1. The evening gets underway at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Family, friends and business associates are invited to attend. Tickets are $60 per person and pre-registration is required.

For more information contact the PACC at 978-531-0384.

Past Ankeles honorees

  • Mayor Michael Bonfanti (2011)
  • H. Ray Wallman (2010)
  • Lawrence O’Keefe (2009)
  • Warren Waugh (2008)
  • Fran McCormack (2007)
  • William Power (2006)
  • Martha and Chuck Holden (2005)
  • Dave Gravel (2004)
  • Jack Wells (2003)
  • Herb Harris (2002)
  • Barbara Kelly (2001)
  • Arthur Holden (2000)
  • Mayor Peter Torigian (1999)
  • Marc Freedman (1998)
  • Margaret Pedro (1997)
  • Thomas Aguiar (1996)
  • James Burke, Esq. (1995)
  • Arthur Gordon (1994)
  • Ben and Maureen Brodeur (1993)
  • Stephen Hendrickson (1992)
  • Ted Jones (1991)


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