Lariviere led by example

To the Editor:
I read with great interest the piece in last week's Times regarding the Lariviere Oncology contribution from "Paperboy."
The person you call "Paperboy" had contacted me a couple of weeks ago and told me that he had made a contribution and why.
I wish to add, without attribution, our "two-cents", literally. My wife and I will be making an anonymous contribution for all the same reasons stated in the article.
Both Paperboy and I had the good fortune to be raised in a rural environment where people looked out for one-another. If an neighbor was in need it was the neighborhood and not the government that came to their assistance. It was simply the thing to do.
At the time, we as youngsters, looked at this more as a hindrance. It meant that our parents usually knew about our misdeeds before we could get home.
Regardless, a great deal was learned from this environment and Al Lariviere was the epitome of this type of living. He was the kind of person that led by example and not by highly published deeds. So much of what he did in his life was done without expectation or fanfare.
I too did a stint as Mr. Lariviere's paperboy. Because he was near the terminus of the route he would often give me a ride home when the weather was bad, which was fairly often. Unlike today, the paperboy was responsible for collecting for the papers delivered which was a daunting task at best. I never had to worry about the Lariviere household because he would leave the money owed in an envelope by the door. This was done to make my collecting that much easier. He simply thought of others in all his dealings no matter the situation.
As a business man there was numerous times that both my parents and myself, once I had my own vehicle, would go out of our way specifically to do business with him. You always knew that he would be completely honest in all his dealings.
My dad purchased a used boat and motor from Mr. Lariviere and for a long time after he would make needed minor repairs to the motor without asking to be paid. He somehow felt responsible to keep it running simply because he sold it.
His type of sublime leadership is largely missing these days. All too often any act of kindness is followed by a need for recognition. This is why both Paperboy and I wish to contribute anonymously. Mr. Lariviere would expect nothing less.

Respectfully, Friends of Lariviere Oncology Unit