Quincy YMCA branch to be renamed for longtime donors, philanthropists Rob and Karen Hale

QUINCY – The South Shore YMCA in Quincy Center will soon be renamed in honor of longtime donors Rob Hale, owner of Granite Telecommunications, and his wife, Karen, a former member of the nonprofit's board of directors.

The YMCA on Monday announced the Quincy branch will be renamed in honor of the Hales at a dedication ceremony next month. 

Paul Gorman, president and CEO of the soon-to-be Hale Family YMCA, said the couple have been major supporters of the nonprofit for more than two decades.

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"We are of course recognizing Rob and Karen Hale for their most recent generous gift, but also for all of their support over the years. They gave a major gift (to the Hanover YMCA) in 2000, and they've continued to give since then," Gorman said. "They have been generous supporters for our big projects and continued their support annually. They have shared their values, how important it is to be family first, and they've been very supportive of the YMCA as a family community center."

Gorman said the most recent donation to the Quincy Y was for about $3 million, and the Hales have donated roughly $5 million in total to that branch. 

"I love the spirit of the YMCA," Rob Hale said Tuesday. "Many kids, myself and my wife included, were fortunate enough to learn how to swim at the Y and many kids spend their Saturdays and Sundays playing games and being productive thanks to the local branch. The Y helps South Shore and Quincy residents of all ages." 

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Gorman said the YMCA falls in line with many of the other educational, child care and health care causes supported by the Hale family. He said the Quincy branch is looking at ways to add onto the current facility, and that new plans for an addition will be announced "not too far into the future," largely supported by the Hales' donation. 

"This is one of the largest and most successful urban YMCAs in the country," Gorman said. "We have teens and young adults who come here as a safe space every day after school, and when you walk into our Y you see the diversity of Quincy here and a diversity of abilities."

Hale, founder and CEO of Quincy-based Granite Telecommunications, was named by Forbes earlier this year as one of the world's top billionaires. Granite is a $1.5 billion company that has been ranked for years in the top three of Boston Business Journal's most philanthropic companies in Massachusetts.

Hale is known nationwide for his philanthropy, specifically related to cancer research organizations. His company annually hosts the “Saving by Shaving” fundraising event for employees, which raises millions for the Dana-Farber Cancer I each year. 

The Hale Family Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research was established in 2016, and Forbes credits Hale with donating more than $259 million to cancer research, educational institutions and other charitable causes

Last year, Hale gave $1,000 to every graduate of Quincy  College – $500 to keep for themselves and $500 to give away. He did the same this spring for graduates of Roxbury Community College. 

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Reach Mary Whitfill at mwhitfill@patriotledger.com.