SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass.—For the 10th year, the Opticians Association of Massachusetts (OAM) held their annual meeting at the Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center at the site of the former American Optical Company on Nov. 2 and 3. As part of the weekend, a tribute was held at the Optical Heritage Museum for the late Charles Walsh, where a plaque was installed in his honor. Chuck Walsh, who was the founding program director for the opticianry program at Worcester Industrial Technical Institute and taught there for 32 years, passed away last year. Friends and family attended the event, as did some of Walsh’s former students. The students said he was the best teacher they ever had, adding that they now have successful careers because of him, Diane Matuck of the association told VM. “Through education and support of his state association, Chuck dedicated his career to the advancement of opticianry. Dr. William Underwood of the National Academy of Opticianry awarded Walsh their highest honor, the Hall of Fame award, to his family at the tribute for his contributions to education,” she noted.

 The OAM awarded their highest honor, the Infinity Award to Thomas Lavin, who completed 50 years on the association’s board of directors, and Gary Lawton who served for 45 years. Both were former students of Chuck Walsh. The Optician of the Year Award was given to Richard White of Marco Instruments, also a former student of Chuck Walsh. At the 7th Hour lecture, ABO-NCLE executive director Jim Morris and chairperson Curt Duff gave an inspiring presentation, and VR One Plus headsets by Zeiss were provided to all attendees at the end of the meeting.