By MEREDITH GETHIN-JONES
Staff Writer
 

Who would have known that Pablo Colon had survived cancer, the Navy and the Vietnam War? "I'm a mixed bag," the friendly, gray haired, Puerto Rican smiled as he began his chronology.

Expressing himself with hand gestures, Pablo explained how he was injured in the United States during his training period for the Navy. This injury was ultimately a blessing; on their second day in Vietnam, some of the members of his squadron were killed over Cambodia.

"I really appreciate my life because that could have been me," Pablo said. That was only one of many circumstances Pablo survived.

He and his wife, Fern, have dealt with numerous instances of prejudice against their marriage -- Pablo, a Catholic Puerto Rican marrying a French Canadian? Their marriage just didn't seem possible, but as Pabs said, "we got the last laugh and are now celebrating our 35th year. Prejudice and discrimination has made me stronger. I have risen above it." All marriages come with hardships, and in addition to dealing with discrimination, Pablo and his wife dealt with the loss of their daughter.

Another less important loss was his variety store in Lewiston. Yet, Pablo dealt with the unfortunate situation of having to sell his store by landing a job at The Den and has been there almost 11 years.

"It's the greatest job I've ever had. The students make my life a nucleus ... a focus on service. To me, it's a reason for living," Pablo said. He gave a lot of credit to his boss, Bob Volpi, who Pablo says really makes the effort to go the extra mile in Dining Services as well.

"The students here are my children ... and they always know that there's a place here [at the Den]. I try to be active in the college community, and they know that they have a friend over here. Every day at this institution is a positive emphasis on my life."

Pabs carries a card around with him containing the dining service motto, yet it has deep meaning to him: "Our pledge is to become one of the finest collegiate level dining service operations in the nation, recognized for the quality of its employees, services and produces." Pablo has found that over the years he's grown to love Bates and his vocation. His philosophy is that the most important trip you may take in your life is meeting people half way, and Pabs believes there's a real effort at Bates College for that.

"I try to make the Den a second home for Bates students. I want it to be an approachable place. There is a commitment to students from Dining Services, and through my philosophy, I really try to show that."

He believes that food makes you learn about culture and that through culture, you learn about people. In addition to culinary arts, Pablo Colon's avocation is writing poetry. Already having published nineteen pieces, he hopes to publish a book of his poetry with photographs and/or drawings (by Bates students) to match the poems.

For now, however, the friendly, approachable Pabs is always looking forward to meeting new students and creating an atmosphere at the Den that students can appreciate as much as he does.