Turley Publications photos by Cristy Bertini

Ernest and Pearl Beland renew their vows with their son, Dick by their side.

Couple celebrates 75 years of marriage

Vow renewal held at Quaboag on the Common Nursing Home

By Cristy Bertini

Turley Publications Correspondent

WEST BROOKFIELD – Ernest Beland saw a girl at a church square dance in 1935. He asked her to dance and one year later, asked her to be his wife.

“We’ve been together ever since that dance,” said Pearl Beland. “We’ve never been apart.”

For the past three months, Ernest, or “Lefty” as some call him, who is now 100 years old has resided in the Quaboag on the Common Nursing Home. Pearl, 91, visits him every day.

With the couple’s 75^th wedding anniversary approaching, the couple requested to have their vows renewed at the nursing home. The staff decorated the gazebo and garden area for them, complete with flower petals for the bride to walk on, and an outdoor reception following the ceremony.

Quaboag on the Common Administrator Loren Salvietti read excerpts from a book titled “Small Miracles of Love and Friendship”.

The couple’s son and only child, Dick Beland, said a few words about his parents. “I had to be the luckiest kid on God’s green earth, without a doubt. Dad worked extra hours for overtime money, sometimes 10 to 12 hour days, and set the money aside so that we could rent a cottage for the summer. Growing up, I always thought I’d like to be half the guy my dad is. I had a wonderful childhood. My mom spent countless hours working as a waitress in town. I could never pay them back for taking such good care of me.”

He went on to say, “I think one secret to their long marriage was that they kept squabbles to a minimum.” He said it probably helped that his father was quite agreeable with his mom. “Dad would always say ‘yeah, okay’ to her”.

The couple has lived in Spencer all of their life. In fact, Pearl still lives in the house that she was born in.

The couple’s family and friends attended the event, including state Rep. Anne Gobi.

state Senator Stephen Brewer was unable to attend, but he sent the couple a special citation, offering his sincerest congratulations.

As Dick escorted his tuxedoed father down the aisle, Quaboag on the Common staff members and family members sang “Let Me Call You Sweetheart”. Dick then escorted his mother, dressed in gown and veil, to his father’s side as the “Wedding March” played.

Father James Hoey of the Mary, Queen of the Rosary Parish in Spencer, asked the groom “Ernest, after all these years, do you still take Pearl to be your wife, through good times and bad, through sickness and in health?” Ernest replied “I do” as he held his bride’s hand.

Father Hoey then asked the bride the same question, to which she replied through tears, “I still do” and she kissed the groom.