The last week saw the passing of two gentlemen who had a dramatic impact on our community over the years.

Generationalist

Fred Atkins, who passed away on Friday at the age of 95, can be considered a man of many lives, at least generationally. One generation of Auburnians may remember him from Columbian Rope, where he worked for three-and-a-half decades in their accounting department.

But for many, in a later generation, he was better known for his good community works - as a volunteer and board member to several not-for-profits. For the local chapter of the American Red Cross, he was consistently re-elected treasurer when on the board - to the extent that when he was termed limited out, as soon as he could serve again, he was asked to. Until recently he was the specially designated “Treasurer Emeritus” for the organization. He also was an active board member with Unity House. The staff thought so much of him that a few years ago, in his 90s, he was made their Mardi Gras King and wore his crown and cape proudly at the fundraiser held to benefit the organization. His legacy - he showed that retirement was not the end of an active life, but an opportunity to do something different.

An artist first

It was not odd to see Casimir Maciulewicz, better known to almost anyone who knew him out and about Auburn as “Chuck,” “Mack” or “Mr. Mack” with a pencil or paint brushes in hand. He rightfully considered himself, first as an artist and second as a businessman, founder of one of the busiest and most successful companies in central New York - Mack Studios.

He could often be found on the street with a pallet and brushes doing what he did so well - paint. One day he was in front of City Hall and trying to just get the right take on something he was working on - drawing a crowd wanting to see him in action. With one of the most welcoming dispositions, a prized possession was one of his Christmas cards, which he reprinted from his artwork.

Don't miss them

Tonight and tomorrow at 7 p.m. and then again on Sunday at 2 p.m. the Auburn High School History Club will present a short piece on Abraham Lincoln (this is the 200th anniversary of his birth) as a prelude to a two-act play called “Radium Girls,” about young women exposed to radium when they painted watches. The club's academic advisor, Gerald Martin, also said that DVDs recounting the history of the club that he has nurtured for nearly three decades will be available. The play is at Auburn High School.

Cosentino is a former mayor of Auburn and can be contacted at cozguytho@aol.com