OUR HISTORY

Mass Bearz, founded by Jeff Zirpolo and Brad Chapman in 2011. Mass Bearz itself built on the membership and traditions of previous Bear community groups: New England Bears, in existence from 1991 through 2005, and Mass Bay Bears which was in existence for about two years after New England Bears dissolved.

A primary goal in the formation of Mass Bearz was the introduction of a new “Bear Competition,” since a competition had not been held locally since 2007.  The Mr. Boston Bear Competition was first held in 2011 and has become a traditional annual community event.

Jeff Zirpolo, one of the co-founders, was a bartender at the Alley Bar in Boston and one of the public faces of Mass Bearz.  With his many social contacts, he was able to publicize the group, recruit members, and help the organization grow.  One of Jeff’s goals was to incorporate the group as a non-profit organization.  Unfortunately, due to Jeff’s untimely death in March of 2016, that was not to be for Mass Bearz.  After Jeff’s death, the remaining members continued the activities of the group until Mass Bearz was dissolved in the late Fall of 2016.

For further background information on Mass Bearz, archived articles published by The Rainbow Times in 2012 and 2016 are available on the internet:

https://www.therainbowtimesmass.com/where-the-bears-are-massbearz-that-is/

http://www.therainbowtimesmass.com/fun-frolic-brotherhood-massachusetts-bear-community-alive-well/