For more than 20 years, Laurence (Larry) Macdonald arrived early each morning to the Chenery Upper Elementary School to place traffic cones and enjoy the calm-before-the-school-drop-off storm.
Directing the traffic that floods the four-way stop where Washington Street intersects with Goden Street wasn’t always easy, but it was always worth it, he said.
“I’d be out there rain or shine or snow … but we always got through it,” Macdonald said, laughing.
Macdonald has held the position of crossing guard since October 2003, retiring this past May after 23 years. His service was recognized at a ceremony Tuesday morning at the police station.
“The thing that I enjoyed most about the job as crossing guard was the community, getting to know the children, the parents, the staff at the school,” Macdonald, who will turn 88 in August, said in an interview with The Voice. “I have always been a community-oriented person.”
His time as crossing guard was not his first foray into community work, having served Belmont in different capacities since the 1960s.
He was a member of the Newton Auxiliary Police and later became director of security at the Chestnut Hill Mall. He worked as a Belmont parking patrol officer, and in 2004 joined the Belmont Traffic Advisory Commission, staying on for 20 years. He was also an active member of the Belmont Dramatic Club and served as president of the venerable nonprofit.
“To go from 1961 up to 2026, that’s a long time of community service,” he said.
Belmont Police Lt. Paul Cowing recalled passing by Macdonald’s intersection in the morning.
“Larry was always there with a wave and a whistle,” Cowing said, describing him as a “very caring [and] community minded individual.”
“Whoever has to replace him has got big shoes to fill,” he said.
Chenery Upper Elementary School Principal Laura Smith said the school community will miss Macdonald’s presence.
“When you first see him, he is always smiling. I think that is an especially important way for students to come to school,” Smith said.
“He was there, everyday, for so many years to provide that safe start so that students could be successful,” she added.
Two decades hold a whole lot of memories, so it’s hard to pick just one, according to Macdonald.
“I was there long enough so that kids went off to college and come back…some of them even introduced me to their families. Some of them were already married and had children,” he said.
When Macdonald first started, he said some of the kids were “kind of tough.”
“There was one kid who was a wise guy … He used to come and flip my cap off,” he recalled.
That kid ended up in the Marines, according to Macdonald.
“He was one of the first ones that went into the military, came home and came up to say, ‘Hello Mac, it’s great to see you,’” Macdonald said.
After more than two decades as a school crossing guard, Macdonald became a familiar face to people in the neighborhood.
“Larry is a wonderful combination of kindness and an authoritative voice when needed,” said Jennifer Dubost, who continued to walk past Chenery almost every morning, even after her kids finished at the school.
Dubost recalled her morning chats with him, during which he would deal with a traffic situation before immediately returning to chat some more, Dubost said, adding she will miss seeing his smile in the morning.
“[Macdonald] wasn’t just there to cross people, he was there to be part of the community,” she said.
Police Lt. Kristin Daley introduced Macdonald at the award ceremony on Tuesday, saying he “created a safe and welcoming environment” for students. She described him as “one of the most dependable crossing guards Belmont’s ever had.”
Police Chief Shane Smith presented Macdonald with his award. That same morning, Sean McLaughlin and Charlie Masterman were also recognized for their service to the community.
McLaughlin was recognized for the time he intervened when he noticed a person in need of help, assisting them until first responders arrived.
Masterman received an award for an act of kindness. Discovering a wallet on the ground, Masterman quickly brought it to his mom. Together, they brought it to the police station, and the wallet was soon returned to its owner.
State Rep. Dave Rogers presented each award recipient with a citation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives in recognition of their contributions to the community.
Though Macdonald’s tenure as a crossing guard may be over, the 87-year-old is looking forward to taking on a new role. He recently became a great-grandfather and is excited about spending time with family.
