I am sending my love and warm regards to all of the Mahaney's. It has been 1 year since we lost our "incredible Larry." I think of him so often and always with the fondest of memories. He brought so much fun and happiness to so many people.
Kevin and Lance - my heart goes out to both of you - losing both parents in a very short period of time was especially cruel. I hope that you are both doing o.k.
Please stop by or call whenever you are in the Kennebunk area.
Love, Roy z o
— Roy Z O
December 21, 2006
Dear Kevin,
As I was cleaning out a closet this past weekend, I found a gift that I had purchased for your father a little more than a year ago. I had been waiting to give it to him when he returned to Maine, but that unfortunately didn't happen. Therefore, I am sending it to you.
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At the Mitchell Institute Fall Gala (left to right): Sheri Boulos, Joe Boulos, Senator Bob Dole, Senator George Mitchell, and our Larry. |
Because everything involving your father had a good story behind it, I want to share with you the story behind this gift. Not long after your hotel on Commercial Street opened, one of my co-workers and I ran into Larry on the street in Portland. He was excited to see us (as we were to see him), and we made plans to have drinks that evening in your hotel lobby.
When we arrived, Larry took us on a tour of the hotel. He spoke of you and your business sense with great pride as we went through the building. He also mentioned that your wife had been deeply involved in selecting the décor, which he (and we) thought was simply beautiful. Kevin, he beamed when he spoke of you, and it was a wonderful thing to see.
Afterwards, the three of us sat down in the lobby bar and drank a little more wine than we probably should have. My co-worker had just returned from Ireland, and your father sang her some bawdy Irish drinking songs, which completely delighted her. Then, he started asking me about my taste in music. We discovered that we shared a love for old country songs (which he thought was hysterical because I'm only in my 30s), and I completely shocked him when I told him that one of my favorite country & western singers was from Ft. Fairfield&Dick Curless.
Well, your dad got ALL excited, because he had grown up with Dick and loved his music. He asked me what my favorite Dick Curless song was, and I responded, Tombstone Every Mile. If you aren't familiar with this song, it is incredibly melodramatic and VERY Maine. Your father challenged my knowledge of it, telling me he bet I couldn't sing all the words. By that time, I had consumed just enough wine to remove my inhibitions, and I belted out the first verse. Your father soon joined in, and, much to the chagrin of everyone who had to hear it, we sang the following:
Tombstone Every Mile by Dick Curless
All you big and burly men who roll the trucks along
Better listen, you'll be thankful when you hear my song
You have really got it made if you're haulin' goods
Any place on earth but those Haynesville Woods
Chorus
It's a stretch of road up north in Maine that's never, ever, ever seen a smile
If they'd buried all the truckers that's lost in them woods
There'd be a tombstone every mile
Count 'em off
There'd be a tombstone every mile
When you're loaded with potatoes and you're headed down
You've got to drive the woods to get to Boston town
When it's winter up in Maine, you'd better check it over twice
Cause that Haynesville Road is just a ribbon of ice
-Chorus-
When you're talkin' to a trucker that's been haulin' goods
Down that stretch of road in Maine they call the Haynesville Woods
He'll tell you that dyin' and goin' down below
Won't be half as bad as drivin' on that road of ice and snow
-Chorus-
Your father and I laughed until we had tears streaming down our faces. It's a very happy memory for me. When I saw the Dick Curless CD while I was out Christmas shopping last year, I knew I had to buy it to remind Larry of that really fun moment in time. I wish I could have actually given it to him, but I hope that it will serve to remind you of the joy Larry brought into so many people's lives.
The women here in our office called ourselves, Larry's Angels because he always preferred to sit with us rather than to sit with the dignitaries at our Fall Gala. Now, he's our angel. He was a wonderful man, and I feel really lucky to have had the opportunity to call him my friend.
I understand that you are recovering from an accident right now, and I send wishes from everyone here at the Mitchell Institute for your speedy recovery. Also, our thoughts are with you as you go through what must be a difficult first holiday season without your dad.
My best wishes to you and your family for a peaceful and prosperous New Year.
Warmest regards,
— Lisa Veleff
Hi, Kevin. Just a quick note to let you know that the Fall Gala was a wonderful success, to thank you for serving as co-sponsor, and to tell you how Larry was remembered.
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Larry and his Angels at the Mitchell Institute Fall Gala: (Front, l-r) Bonnie Titcomb Lewis, our Larry, and Lisa Veleff. (Back, l-r) Ellen Fitts-Byrne, Lisa Plimpton, and Stephanie Plourde. |
I have sent a picture of the Hall of Fame, that although a bit crowded, does show the picture in the background that we used to recognize your father. It is really a very striking picture.
In addition to the various means of saying thank you, while at the podium the Senator talked about Larry as "a lifelong friend -- one who is certainly missed by all who knew him." His comments were very personal and very meaningful. Senator Mitchell ended the comments by asking for a moment of silence for Larry, and after that, all the "angels" at Larry's table toasted his life and friendship. I wish you could have been there -- it was nice and your dad would have been delighted....perhaps he was! Thanks again for your help. It meant a lot.
Bonnie Titcomb Lewis, Director of Advancement, Senator George J. Mitchell Scholarship Research Institute
— Bonnie
I met Larry on an airplane in Portland, Maine. As I was walking down the aisle I saw this man in a purple sweater and realized as I approached him that my seat was assigned next to his. I stopped at the row, he looked up at me (I was wearing a pink sweater) and I said "Do you mind if I sit here?" and he said "I am kind of partial to pink myself". We were the prettiest row on the plane.
When we realized we both had a long layover we agreed to spend it together over a glass of wine. He told stories of his life, Irish jokes and recited poetry to me. I knew immediately he was an incredible, warm person that I needed to know.
We exchanged numbers and when he was in Portland again he called me and took me to a wonderful dinner...I really enjoyed his company. I wish we had a chance to get to know each other better. In reading all the comments and memories of Larry I know he is missed and appreciated by so many people. My thoughts are with you all.
I feel like I met an angel on the plane that day.
— Heather
Though I haven't lived in Maine for quite some time, I'll never forget the opportunity I had working for (Mr.) Larry Mahaney at two of his hotels in Bangor. He was so proud of his Irish heritage, and I was proud to be part of his successful business. He taught me to be proactive, not reactive, I learned to always save him a room or two "in my pocket" for Larry's many friends and relatives. He was the friendliest and most approachable boss, he treated all his employees with respect and dignity. I may not have played on his ball teams but he was my coach too and he touched my life. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
— Jackie
I had the privilege of being an asst. football coach with Larry at Brewer High and coaching the 9th grad basketball team 3 years and the Jv team my last year. The day that larry got married I was the coach that Larry had left in charge. We had a scrimmage that morning and when I opened my locker, He had left me a note. " don't forget to pass." He knew how I loved to run the ball. we laughed over that note many times. Another thing we laughed at was how Keith and I were his assistants when we were seniors at Maine and would ride back to Orono togather. Larry was an excellent coach aand mentor to many former players and coaches who learned from him. Those lessons have been utilized many times. He will be missed by many. Jiggs Cecchini
— Jiggs Cecchini
Those of us who lived with Larry during his 4 years of college at the Brunswick Annex and at Phi Eta Kappa fraternity will always wonder at the exhuberance and vitality of this "poor" boy from the county. Since we remind him of those days, no wonder he would rather think of his greater accomplishments in later life. I will always remember Larry as an inspiration for us to achieve all that can be achieved with whatever God gave us. Art Dentremont PEK
— Arthur Dentremont
I met Larry through a friend. I experienced him as a warm and generous person with a great sense of humor. The golf lesson he gave me when we were visiting him was a symbol of that: a lot of patience, enjoyment and skill. He will be missed.
— Katja
I first remember Larry when my older brother "Red" who had joined Phi Eta after the war took me into the house when I started at Maine in '58. I think Larry liked "Red" and I because we all came from the boonies with nothing to start with and because we all could tell stories till the cows came home. Laughing at hardship was just natural.The best times I remember though- were skiing at Sugarloaf with Bill Nealy,Glen Osgood, Jud Strunk and the bad actors. I remember one day Larry was going on at Jackie about the yellow nosed vole which lived only above the tree line and would come out of nowhere and visciously attack a woman's breasts.After some time, he changed his mind and told her that she probably really didn't have too much to worry about as she didn't have much in that department.
—
I have had the pleasure of knowing Larry for more than a decade. Over the years I had the opportunity to introduce Larry to my father and my children, and in each case he went out of his way to make a strong connection (including his well known handshake)and to say nice things to them about me. Larry routinely went out of his way to be genuinely nice to people, and had an ability to make everyone he met feel important and good about themselves.
I also had a business relationship with Larry, and that too was a pleasure. Larry was always honest, direct, a man of his word, fair and loyal.
I will miss Larry Mahaney, as the world needs more people like him.
— Larry Wold
My memory is really a series of memories. When Larry came to see Kevin play lacrosse at Middlebury (Kevin was an All-American goalie)as a parent he had the grace to appreciate what a coach goes through during AND after the contest. His comments, win or lose, were always positive, direct and upbeat. Larry had the wisdom to know what to say and how to say it - a wise coach and loving parent.
— Jim Grube
Only met Larry once. Best handshake I ever experienced. Larry greeted me like an old friend. I'll never forget him.
— Bob Hickok
For the family;
Whether you had a million or pennies he treated everyone with the same respect. Larry was a straight shooter. A positive, realist.
An Irish Blessing:
Remembered Joy Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free! I follow the plan God laid for me. I saw His face, I heard His call, I took His hand and left it all... I could not stay another day, To love, to laugh, to work or play; Tasks left undone must stay that way. And if my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss... Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss. My life's been full, I've savoured much: Good times, good friends, a loved-one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief; Don't shorten yours with undue grief. Be not burdened with tears of sorrow, Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow.
— Friend
My husband and I both greatly admired Larry, and always in my memory will be the many occasions Larry would call and share a joke or tell a great story. It surely brightened our day and will be sadly missed.
— Beryl-Ann
I have many memories of Larry as he has been a valued friend of our family for over 60 years. He was a childhood and college friend of my fathers and served alongside him in the US Air Force. He served as best man at my parents wedding as well as he was Godfather to their first child. Larry valued friendship and it was evident as he joined us to celebrate my parent's fiftieth wedding anniversary in 2003 as well as my mothers Celebration of Life service last June - friends forever and we are grateful.
My personal fondest memory of Larry is that in 1974, for my high school graduation gift, he gave me an evening out with the "Beach Boys." They were scheduled to appear in Bangor and stay at the Holiday Inn so Larry arranged a perfect evening - a backstage dinner with them, VIP seats in the wings and then after the concert we went back to the Holiday Inn to dance until they told us we had to leave. Thank you Larry for making a dream come true for an 18 year old "Beach Boy" fan!
— Betty Nigtingale Surrency
I had the good fortune of meeting Larry at the Breakers. He was singing and swinging a golf club. From the first moment he said hello and introduced himself to me, I knew we would be friends for life.
Larry was an extremely important part of my life, shared bottles of wine, endless games of backgammon, riveting hours of conversation, and his laughter and mischievous smile are all before me as I write. I just hope one day I can get to the point where he is - no longer a painful part of my present but a happy part of my past.
One thought has sustained me though - that on this side of life he is gone - like a ship going over the horizon until nothing but the smoke is left -but on the other side, all his old friends and family are lined up shouting and yelling "here he comes".
I can only hope that they will hug and kiss him on my behalf in the name of everything that is good and beautiful!
— Carla
I had the priviledge of meeting Larry through my good friend Ray Cota and I must say that Larry was a real interesting and kind person. I loved his many toasts and was always amazed with his memory. Larry visited with us on Prince Edward Island and last year my wife Martie and my brother Kevin stayed with Larry at his summer home. These memories are so great.
— danny murphy
I met Larry during the PACT '95 America's Cup campaign skippered by Kevin and was astonished by his ability to make a total stranger instantly seem like a lifelong friend. His warmth and humor were special gifts. He was a giant.
— Ted B.
Larry and I shared many memories over the years that I worked for him at Webber (Larry would say "worked WITH him") and also on our many travels throughout the golf courses of the world. There are two outstanding characteristics of Larry; his loyality to his friends and the notion that he never forgot "where he came from". He often regaled us with the stories of growing up in "the county" with his brother Keith and sister Gayle. Larry had a sharp needle and would softly inject it into his friends when the occasion demanded it; it was never in a mean spirited way and always produced a laugh. He gave many a young person the opportunity to succeed and coached us to success. God Bless
— Ray Cota
When people have asked me if I were related to the Mahaney's in Bangor, my response is usually, "Yes, we are kissing cousins." Larry's grandfather John Mahany and my father Eldon Mahany were first cousins. I shall miss Larry's teasing about the spelling of our last name. I think Larry has won the last round because the many people who sent me notes of condolence spelled my name with an "e." He must be smiling up in heaven. A couple of times a year Larry, Keith, and I would meet at Holiday Inn in downtown Bangor for breakfast just to share stories about our family history, tease about the spelling of our name, and talk about some sport -- usually basketball at Catherine McAuley High School. I will miss those visits with him.
I am pleased and proud to say that Larry's last contact to me in late January was to make a commitment to assist me in raising money for the new 6-acre playing fields newly built on the campus at McAuley High School. The complex will be named "The Larry K. Mahaney Athletic Park." (At the time Larry made that commitment, I told him he could spell our last name any way he wanted to!!) Larry, as the Irish saying goes, "May you be in heaven an hour before the devil knows you are gone." You will always have a remembrance in my daily prayers.
— Sister Joyce B. Mahany
It was on a sunny October afternoon when I first met Larry Mahaney. He walked into the office and asked to speak with my boss, his son Kevin. Right away I noticed his silver white hair, dancing eyes and pleasant smile. Then I noticed his bright purple sweater, which I thought looked very nice on him. I decided to take a chance and made a comment about how nice he looked in that color, then added how daring and confident he must be to wear it since I did not think many men would be so bold. He chuckled and thanked me for the compliment, then leaned over the desk, and with a wide grin and a wink, said "Then just wait until you see me in my pink sweater tomorrow!" We laughed and he went on to visit with Kevin. The next day, he appeared in my office wearing, yes, the pink sweater. He stopped at my desk and said "Do you prefer me in pink or purple?!" I burst out laughing, and thus began 'Mr. Mahaney's Color Chart'. How I shall miss that quick wit and hearty laugh!
— Lisa Smith
Just a year ago I returned to work for the Holiday Inn after 5 years away, and upon walking in the Lobby the morning Larry returned from Florida, he warmly greeted me, and asked where and how I had been as he hadn't seen me in quite awhile.
I was surprised he'd remembered me after the 5 years since he had seen me, but Larry had a genuine concern for all the people who worked for him. When he found out I needed to replace the furnace in my home but was having financial dificulty at the time, he generously offered to help.
Larry was one of a kind and will be sadly missed, especially his smiling hearty 'good mornings' in the Lobby.
— Peter
A few years ago, then President Hoff invited my wife and I to the President's Box atop the Alfond Stadium to enjoy a U. of Maine football game. My first real experience to view the new Athletic Complex; the Mahaney Diamond, and Mahaney Club House, and the expansive athletic buildings and athletic fields made possible predominately by Larry Mahaney (and Harold Alfond). It is a sight to behold. My regret is that I did not tell Larry, personally, how appreciative I was of his many contributions to the University of Maine.
— Nat Crowley, Sr
I had the privilege of working with Larry over a number of years beginning in the mid 1980s. I learned so much from him in so many regards. About business, about life, about loyalties, and about the great art of storytelling ... not to mention his marvelously funny jokes. I will remember him with great admiration and fondness.
— Kathy
This
25 minute video of friends and colleagues sharing their memories
and impressions of Larry was played during the reception (approximately
25 minutes):