Honor among the Dead

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Originally uploaded by atlbiscuit.

Tonight I felt the warmth of my grandfather and great grandfather and all of his sons shining down. 67 years past due, the city of Lewiston finally recognized them for the work that they did in the city. They presented a proclamation honoring the family and gave it to my 93 year old aunt. The only surviving member of that generation of the family. Others were in attendance, daughters, granddaughters, cousins etc..I am proud to be a Malo.. I am proud of my Franco-American Heritage, and I am thrilled that I was able to make this happen.



Below is the text of the proclamation..

Office of the Mayor
CITY OF LEWISTON, MAINE



Proclamation

WHEREAS: On Sunday, May 22, 2005, Saints Peter and Paul Church, an exquisite historical structure within the City of Lewiston, will be inaugurated as a basilica, joining only 49 other churches of that distinction within the United States; and

WHEREAS: Basilicas are chosen by the Vatican for their historical importance, artistic value, and quality of liturgical prayer and service to the community; and

WHEREAS: Louis P. Malo, highly esteemed contractor of Saints Peter & Paul, was educated in Lewiston’s parochial schools, worked in the mills, and then in 1886 began learning the trades of carpentry and brick & stone masonry; and

WHEREAS: In 1912, he started his own construction business with sons Felix, Alfred, Maurice, Emile, Lucien, and Louis P. with the office located at 101 East Avenue; and

WHEREAS: From 1912 – 1938, Louis P. Malo was the general contractor for some of the largest business buildings, residences, churches, and schools in Lewiston-Auburn, as well as in other cities throughout Maine, to include Holy Cross School and St. Mary’s Church in Lewiston, St. Mary’s Church in Augusta, St. Louis School in Auburn, and the Arts & Sciences Annex at the University of Maine in Orono; and

WHEREAS: Malo & Sons’ most prominent work was Saints Peter & Paul Church, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Not only did Malo & Sons serve as contractor & stone masons, they also donated the stained-glass window above the altar in the Upper Church with the wording “Famille Louis Malo.” The window serves as a testimony to the many sons and cousins of the Malo family who took part in the church’s construction; and

WHEREAS: To ensure the building of the church, Franco-Americans donated nickels and dimes during the Depression, with construction on the Upper church beginning in 1934 and completed in 1938; and

WHEREAS: Louis P. Malo, the contractor of this magnificent structure, passed away at age 66 on April 5, 1938, before the church was officially dedicated on October 23, 1938.

WHEREAS, NOW, THEREFORE: I, Lionel C. Guay, Jr., Mayor of the City of Lewiston, by virtue of the authority vested in me, do hereby proclaim the date of the basilica inauguration, May 22, 2005, as Basilica Recognition & Louis P. Malo Day within the City of Lewiston. Mr. Malo missed the dedication of this beautiful structure, but we take this opportunity to celebrate him upon this very prestigious occasion for Saints Peter & Paul Church.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand
and caused the Seal of the City of Lewiston, Maine, to be
affixed this 17th day of May, 2005.