A true Renaissance Man!
Jim Foley recalls working for John M. Wells
When I retired from American Optical in 1982 after 16 years of service,
I received a phone call from a friend who worked for the Worcester County
National Bank. At that time, the Bank was the largest bank in Worcester
County and had John. M. Wells as a customer. Mr. Wells was the grandson
of the founder of American Optical Corporation.
He was 78 years of age when I went to work for him in 1982. My friend at
the bank asked me if I would be interested in going to work for Mr. Wells
on a part time basis from April to November. I told him I would. He said
it would be contingent on Mr. Wells interviewing me and whether he approved
of me. The job would consist of driving him and working around the estate
assisting the regular maintenance man who was employed full time. The reason
the bank was looking for a retired police officer (like me), was to offer
Mr. Wells a modicum of security.
As I write this it is about 12 years since Mr. Wells died at the age
of 86 on June 26, 1989. I worked for him for about seven years part time.
It was a most enjoyable time for me. Although he had left the employ of
AO several years before I came to work for him, he knew many of the people
I knew when I worked there as Chief of Security. He told me that he was
never really happy at the AO , where he was Vice President in charge of
Research. He was affiliated with other companies (SeeHarvey
Wells Story) and for several years was on the State Airport Commission
serving as Chairman. He had a great memory and told me of some of his travels
including a trip to Russia.
Mr. Wells outlived two wives and had been a father to a son and two
daughters by his first wife. When I worked for him he lived alone with
a house-keeper, a butler and had nurses around the clock. I suspect the
nurses were around more for company than for actual nursing duties. When
Mr. Wells lived at the Estate from April thru November, he attended Rotary
Club Meetings, and would always be accompanied by one of the Nurses. A
friend told me how much they enjoyed seeing Mr. Wells attending club meetings
because he always was accompanied by his nurse who was invariably an attractive
registered Nurse. In those days women were not allowed to attend Rotary
Club Meetings and Mr. Wells accompanied by his attractive nurse was always
a welcome diversion.
Aviation was of great interest to him. While Chairman of the State Airport
Commission he was involved in the early planning at Logan Airport. He owned
and operated his own twin engine plane that was housed at the Southbridge
Airport. He built a hanger to store it that still stands today. I recall
him telling me that he was planning on buying a single engine plane. When
his father realized how much he was devoted to flying his father bought
him a twin engine plane - two engines being better than one.
Because of his many and varied interests I concluded that
John Wells was a true Renaissance Man!
More Recollections of Jim Foley's