ED MONGEON
1983 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME
Ed swam for the Pawtucket Boys’ Club and Pawtucket High in the 1930’s. After an outstanding swimming career in AAU and schoolboy competition, Ed became swimming director and coach at the Pawtucket Boys’ Club. He developed some of the state’s top swimmers, including Jack Ryan, present coach at West Point; his brother Bill, Andy Dimant, and Ralph Gossler. Ed joined the professional staff of the American Red Cross in 1942, being assigned to the midwestern area. During World War II he served with the Red Cross as field director in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. After the war, he returned as Water Safety Director in Pittsfield, Mass.
In 1954 he was appointed Eastern Area Director of Water Safety Services.
In 1964 he was appointed National Director of Water Safety Services for the American Red Cross, which is the highest ranking position for the Red Cross in the Country. As National Director, Ed was author of many books and articles pertaining to water safety, the most noteworthy being “Swimming and Water Safety,” published in 1968. Ed wrote the script and was technical director for aa series of nine films on lifesaving, which were distributed by the Red Cross throughout the country.
In 1973 Ed was named President of the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
From 1975 to 1978 he was European Director of Safety Services for the Red Cross, training U.S. Military personnel and dependents in water safety. In this capacity, he represented the American Red Cross at international conferences held in various European countries.
Ed officially retired from the Red Cross in 1978, but has continued as a volunteer in all phases of aquatics since returning to the United States. He has received many awards throughout his distinguished career, the most noteworthy being the “Medal of Freedom”, given by the Longfellow Society in 1975; and the “Distinguished Service to Safety Award”, given by the National Safety Council in 1978.