JOSEPH SADLIER

Shining his light is something that Joseph Sadlier has done for decades, from soup kitchens to his local parish, annual community fund-raisers to special causes. He’s done it with his time, his baker and meat pieman skills, and most of all his ceaseless energy and unstinting compassion and generosity.

Joseph Sadlier raises thousands of dollars annually to help needy children in the city of Pawtucket. In a city of approximately 80,000 people, Joseph is known as a giver and one who will do anything for the kids.

“All the time he wants to do something for someone” and is no sooner finished with one project before he’s on to the next one, said Amy Breault, who has worked with Sadlier on numerous fundraising projects.

Sadlier donates his time, efforts, and money to help the leaders of our future. He bakes hundreds of meat pies and sells them. All of the profit is turned over to the city newspaper, and they in turn have a fund set up for the children. The Times sponsors the needy children to summer camp, and they are also able to purchase gifts during the Christmas holidays.

In addition to his baking and selling of pies, Sadlier also sponsors breakfasts in which the proceeds go towards “The Times” fund for the children. Any fundraiser that he is capable of doing, he will plan and implement.

When he is not cooking or baking, Sadlier spends time with the area drug abuse program where he is a board member. Because of his tireless efforts, he has been inducted into Pawtucket’s Hall of Fame.

Sadlier completes many projects that many people do not hear about, such as taking two handicapped men under his wing and, for decades, at St. Mary’s parish, where Sadlier for years was in charge of assembling and distributing toys for disadvantaged families and also cooked Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the needy.

For Breault, 39, “Joe’s made a big difference in my life,” ever since the two hit it right off after doing a Save-the Leroy fundraiser about five years ago. Now the two share morning coffee almost daily. “I know of no one who gives of himself as Joe does. He is an angel who has touched countless lives. There is hardly a charity in the Blackstone Valley that does not owe some of its success to Joe Sadlier.”