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Note: Birth record: Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841-1910, and 1895, Births, Lowell, Volume 449, Page 202;
Wallace R. Gumb
Date of birth: May 1, 1895
Place of birth: Lowell, Massachusetts
Parents: Richard & Georgie E. Gumb
Occupation of father: Stone Cutter
Birthplace of father: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Birthplace of mother: Great Falls, New Hampshire
Marriage information: See notes on his Wife.
Census record: 1900 US Federal Census: See notes on his Father.
Census record: 1930 US Federal Census, Nashua, Hillsborough County, State of New Hampshire, living at 5 Courtland Street;
Wallace R. Gumb, Age: 34, Head, Married, Occupation: Boys' Director at YMCA, Born: Massachusetts
Mary Gumb: Age: 35, Wife, Married, Born: Massachuetts
Barbara Gumb, Age: 7, Daughter, Born: New Hampshire
Note: This record lists that Wallace and his family rented and paid $40.00 per month. They also owned a radio set!
Census record: 1940 US Federal Census, Nashua, Hillsborough, New Hampshire, living at 6 Courtland Street;
Wallace R Gumb, Age: 44, Head, Married, Occupation: Director of Boys Div., YMCA., Born: Massachusetts
Mary G Gumb, Age: 45, Wife, Married, Born: Massachusetts.
Barbara T Gumb, Age 16, Daughter, Born: New Hampshire.
Catherine A Gumb, Age: 8, Daughter, Born: New Hampshire.
Notes: This census lists that Wallace and his family rented the house; paid $36.00 a month rent; and lived at the same house in 1935. Wallace worked 55 hours the week of March 24-30, 1940. It also appears he made $2000.00 in 1939. The record also lists Wallace's highest completed grade as C1, Mary's as C2, Barbara's as H3, and Catherine's as 4.
One of Wallace Rubin Gumb's first jobs was working for the Middlesex Laundry, in Lowell, Massachusetts, as a delivery man. There is a wonderful picture of him standing next to his horse and delivery wagon on a street in Lowell.
Wallace spent his career working for the Young Mens' Christian Association (Y.M.C.A.). He started out at the YMCA in Lowell, about the age of 18 years old. On his World War I Draft Registration Card, dated June 1917, he lists his employer as the Young Mens' Christian Association, his position as Asst. Boys Work Secretary, and states that he has worked there 4 years. His address, on this card, is listed as 63 Oakland Street, Lowell, Massachusetts.
He next went to work for the Woonsocket, Rhode Island, "Y". He is listed in the 1921 Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and the Blackstone, Massachusetts, directory, as Boys' Secretary for the YMCA. It appears he also roomed at the "Y".
He next went to work for the Nashua, New Hampshire, YMCA, as Boys Work Secretary -- probably about 1922. While at this job, he was also the Camp Director of the Nashua "Y"'s Camp Sargent. While in Nashua, he lived on Courtland Street.
On his WW11 Registration Card, which is not dated, Wallace Rubin Gumb lists his address as 6 Courtland St. Nashua, Hillsborough (County), N.H. He lists his age as 46 years old so the card must have been filled out in 1941. He lists his date of birth as May 1, 1895, and place of birth as Lowell, Mass. His wife, Mrs. Mary Gumb is noted, and he lists his employer as the Y.M.C.A., at 23 Temple St., in Nashua.
During the Summer of 1942, Wallace was appointed the Boy's Work Secretary of the Lawrence, Massachuseets, YMCA. From June 1943 through August 1954, he was also the Camp Director of the Lawrence YMCA's Camp Lawrence, located on Bear Island, on Lake Winnipesaukee, in New Hampshire. In a book on Camp Lawrence, put out by the Greater Lawrence YMCA, it is noted that "On August 12, 1945 Wally Gumb had the great pleasure of announcing in the Dining Hall that the Japanese had surrendered and the war was over. Many of the older staff were given the night off to go and share in the celebration at Weirs Beach, while the remaining staff and campers enjoyed a bonfire and held their own celebration at the Senior Ballfield."
Wallace's wife, Mary, spent each summer with him at both Camp Sargent and Camp Lawrence.
Wallace retired from the "Y" in 1956 - at the mandatory age of retirement. Upon retirement, he was presented a plaque which reads:
"For Service To Youth -- YMCA
Wallace R. Gumb
Youth Secretary and Camp Director
1913-1956
In Remembrance And Appreciation
Of Your 43 Years Of Dedicated
Y.M.C.A. Service To Youth."
After retiring from the YMCA he went to work for the John R. Hasking's store in Lawrence, Massachusetts, as a saleman. He was also responsible for decorating the store's display windows for the holidays -- a job he enjoyed greatly.
During the Fall of 1974 and the Spring of 1975 the Senior Ballfield at Camp Lawrence was upgraded. It was voted to name this field in honor of Wallace Gumb. On August 10, 1975, a Picnic and Dedication Service was held at Camp Lawrence to dedicate the "Wally Gumb Field." Family and friends attended. A wooden sign was placed at the field and Wally was presented a plaque: It reads:
"Wally Gumb Field
Dedicated August 10, 1975
In Appreciation and Recognition
For 12 Years Service
As Director of Camp Lawrence
And Devoted Friend Of Boys
June 1943 To August 1954
Donated By His Friends And
Former Camping Associates."
On November 19, 2012, the YMCA of Greater Nashua, as part of their 125th Year Celebrations held their Annual Meeting and Breakfast. At this event Wally Gumb was one of five men and one woman inducted into their first annual "Hall of Fame." Family members were present and accepted the honor in his memory. The family was also presented with a framed picture of Wally taken at Camp Sargent in the 1930's. Wally is standing in a field with a group of tents behind him.
After leaving Nashua, New Hampshire, Wallace and his family lived in Methuen, Massachusetts, first on Gage Street, and then High Street.
Wallace was an avid baseball fan. He would take the train or bus into Boston to Fenway Park to watch the Boston Red Sox play. He would also take trips to New York City to watch the New York baseball teams play. He took trains and busses everywhere because he never had a car.
He was also a very active member and a life deacon of the First Calvary Baptist Church in Lawrence, MA.
Obituary:
"Wallace R. Gumb
Spent working life helping boys
Lawrence - Wallace R. Gumb, 90, of the Wood Mill Convalescent Home, formerly of 25 High St. and 24 Mystic St., Methuen, died Sunday in Lawrence General Hospital.
Born in Lowell, he lived in Methuen most of his life.
He was a secretary of the Nashua Boys' Works for 17 years and of the Lawrence YMCA Boys' Works for 14 years. He was the former director of Camp Sergeant, run by the Nashua YMCA, and a director and Boys' Secretary of Camp Lawrence, run by the Lawrence YMCA, until he retired in 1956.
He was a life-long member of the YMCA.
He was a member and a life deacon of the First Calvary Baptist Church.
The widower of Mary (Gordon) Gumb, he is survived by daughters Mrs. Edwin A. (Barbara G.) Ericson of Lynnfield, and Mrs Catherine G. (wife of the Rev. Robert W.) Etzel, of Lynn: brother Irving of Virginia; nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the First Calvary Baptist Church.
Friends may call Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence St., Methuen.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Calvary Baptist Church, 20 Pemberton St."
Cemetery record:
Westlawn Cemetery, Lowell, Massacusetts
Lot. 112, Sect. 2 W. Grave 1
Age: 90.0.0.
Date of death: April 20, 1986
Date of burial: April 23, 1986
Cause of death: Acute Lobar pneumonia
F.H. Pollard Funeral Home.
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