Members of the 3rd Bristol and Plymouth district communities came out to thank longtime state Sen. Marc Pacheco with a thank you and retirement party for his work as the senator prepares for retirement at the end of this term.

The event held at the Rosebrook Event Center, Sunday, Oct. 6 saw representatives from the U.S. Congress and the many towns Pacheco served speak about how he has impacted them and their communities.

Representatives from Wareham, Carver, Marion and Middleboro all echoed a similar message about Pacheco of how he's not just a senator, he's a friend.

"He is so in touch with the people," said Wareham Democratic Town Committee member Jane Donahue. "He's done so many wonderful things for the community and for individual people. As most people will tell you he's become more than just a senator, he's family."

Donahue explained Pacheco has assisted the town with securing funding for senior housing and has helped with sewer projects.

When a sewage pipe on Swifts Beach collapsed in 2016, the town was seeking an answer to the problem until local business man Danny Warren presented a never before seen solution that is currently in use. According to Wareham Democratic Committee Chair John Donahue, without Pacheco, this would not have been made possible.

While Pacheco worked at the local level, his work had impacts that reached a national and international level too. U.S. Congressman from Massachusetts Bill Keating spoke about how Pacheco has left his mark locally, nationally and internationally.

Keating explained Pacheco is "known as a leader" for issues regarding climate change at the state level and even on the international level. Keating added Pacheco has served as a U.S. delegate for international affairs and has made an especially positive impact for the Portuguese community.

In his retirement, Pacheco will be starting an international non governmental organization dealing with international climate change issues.

"This is fantastic and it's amazing that a lot of people from some of the Plymouth County towns I represent got together and I'm so honored," said Pacheco.