My Memoirs - Citizen of the World
My Memoirs - Citizen of the World
My Memoirs - Citizen of the World
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situation and what it implied. I closed <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice later and drove<br />
down to <strong>the</strong> former Bristol Motor Lodge on Metacom Avenue. As<br />
nervous as I was, as I entered <strong>the</strong> bar, <strong>the</strong> glass door was so clean<br />
that I walked right through it, shattering <strong>the</strong> door. The bartender<br />
actually laughed and said, "I don't remember anyone breaking <strong>the</strong><br />
door on <strong>the</strong> way in. That usually happens on <strong>the</strong> way out.” I tried<br />
to relax over a cocktail, thinking about what my competitors were<br />
doing to ruin my reputation.<br />
The IRS sent letters to all <strong>of</strong> my clients which included<br />
questionnaires regarding how I prepared <strong>the</strong>ir taxes. Naturally,<br />
<strong>the</strong>y would call me to ask what I had done wrong and to explain<br />
that <strong>the</strong>y had to lose a day <strong>of</strong> work to go to <strong>the</strong> IRS Office in<br />
Providence for questioning. I told <strong>the</strong>m I had done nothing wrong<br />
and that <strong>the</strong>y should simply tell <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong> truth. I also told <strong>the</strong>m<br />
that I was facing accusations from my competitors who were upset<br />
that <strong>the</strong>ir clients were now coming to me. The investigation lasted<br />
nine months, from April until three days before Christmas, at<br />
which point I received a letter from <strong>the</strong> IRS apologizing for <strong>the</strong><br />
inconvenience. They had found nothing wrong with <strong>the</strong> returns I<br />
filed. A fine Christmas present, if you ask me. After eight months<br />
<strong>of</strong> this ordeal, I finally regained some peace <strong>of</strong> mind. Of course, I<br />
lost some clients <strong>the</strong> following year, but I also gained o<strong>the</strong>rs and<br />
continued my business without interruption for more than 35 years.<br />
Bristol Sports Club<br />
In 1974, I was elected President <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> General Assembly <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Bristol Soccer Club. I was president for 15 years. I had continued<br />
to meet many people, and, by that point, I had become very<br />
popular within <strong>the</strong> Bristol community. I was named "Bristol<br />
Sports Man <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Year" in 1983. This was one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most<br />
successful soccer clubs in <strong>the</strong> United States. Back <strong>the</strong>n, Americans<br />
did not pay much attention to <strong>the</strong> king <strong>of</strong> all sports. During my<br />
tenure, this Portuguese-American club won many championships:<br />
New England Champions in 1973-1974; Luso-American Soccer<br />
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