Page 10 - Newsletter Spring 2021

Jessica Mauer, the executive He was an outdoorsman who
director for the Maine Council enjoyed camping, playing guitar,
of Aging, wasn’t his client fishing, hunting, canoeing and
but she did benefit from his working on his farm.
generosity and friendship over
the years. She met McCarthy With the idea being a natural,
when she first started working John Melrose conceived of
on the issue of senior housing. placing a memorial granite
“We were at a meeting about bench in Winslow as part of the
the whole brokerage piece, Messalonskee Trails for Rick. It
and he said, ‘These are the five is on a quiet section of the East
things you need know,’” recalled Kennebec Trail in Winslow,
Mauer. “He showed me how where Rick lived with his wife
it worked and that helped me Michele on a farm and raised
jump into advocacy.” their two sons. The purpose was
to create a memorial for Rick on
“He was the consummate the trail network he had worked
teacher,” said Mauer, who said so hard with others to develop,
that McCarthy also showed the maintain and preserve.
role that transportation played Rick McCarthy's family at the memorial dedication. Pictured, his
for Maine’s elder population. Melrose worked with Peter father Philip McCarthy '58, wife Michele McCarthy and son, Sean
“He was a pretty unique person Garrett, founder of Kennebec McCarthy.
in his ability to always be Messalonskee Trails, and Maria
supporting forward progress.” Fuentes of MBTA, who helped
with fundraising, to create a
“Rick was smart and dedicated permanent reminder of Rick’s
and he liked working for people passion for trails, the outdoors
who were trying to help people,” and transportation. He also
said Bill Ferdinand, chair of consulted with the family,
Eaton Peabody’s legislative who provided input into the
and government relations bench and site. John and Peter
practice group. “Those were decided on a granite bench
all his clients … the mayors, and scouted the trail for an
early education, Head Start, appropriate location. Once the
transportation. That’s what he site was found, they got to work
liked to do.” clearing the site, which abuts the
Kennebec River. The memorial
Ferdinand noted that McCarthy was dedicated on November
never let his personal affiliation 14th, 2020. It has quickly
get in the way of building become a popular vantage point
consensus and finding where trail users can stop to
compromise to move his clients’ enjoy birdsong, the glint of
issues forward. He added, light on the water – a moment
“He stands out more now for of solitude. Both Melrose and
all of those things – being Garrett spoke at the ceremony,
collaborative, listening to all as did Rick’s wife Michele and Memorial bench on Kennebec Messalonskee Trail for Rick McCarthy
points of view and building son Sean. Rick had volunteered '82, dedicated November 14, 2020.
consensus – but the truth is we for Kennebec Messalonskee
used to have more people like Trails and served as president
him before everything went to of the Board from 2015-2017.
being so polarized. We need The memorial bench faces the
more people like him.” Kennebec River on the east
Kennebec Trail. Walkers can
McCarthy was a member access that part of the trail by
of the board of directors of going to the 752 Benton Avenue
the Maine Real Estate and entrance. Memorial donations
Development Association may be made to Kennebec
(MEREDA) and president of Messalonskee Trails, P.O. Box
the Kennebec Messalonskee 2388, Waterville, ME 04903.
Trails, which builds and
maintains recreational trails in
the Waterville-Winslow area.

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