Jim Mockler, a lifetime resident of Caribou received the 2008 Citizen of the Year Award, at the annual Caribou Chamber of Commerce & Industry dinner, Friday evening at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center.
Contributed photos
Carol McElwee, left, presented Nancy Chandler with the Spirit of Caribou Award during the Caribou Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s annual dinner last week at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center. Award winner s were given a legislative sentiment from state Rep. Peter Edgecomb and a letter from U.S. Sen. Susan Collins presented by Philip Bosse.
In addition to the numerous non-compensated positions he holds, Mockler runs a successful business, Mockler’ Funeral Home, with his brother Dave and their father Robert Mockler. He serves, as a board member for the Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery in Caribou, is a past president of the local Kiwanis Club and became a distinguished Kiwanis member in 1985, and past Master and a current member of the Masonic Lodge. Mockler has also served as president and is current treasurer of the Maine Funeral Directors’ Association, in addition he is a past CCC&I board member.
Mockler was called to duty many times as a member of the National DEMORT team (U.S. Department of Mortuary Affairs). In 1999 he responded to the Atlantic Ocean crash of the Boeing 767 Egypt Air flight 1990 and in 2001, he spent three weeks in New York City, due to the attack on the World Trade Center, returning in November, spending 12 days responding to the crash of American Airline flight 587. He also dedicated three and half weeks in August 2005, in the Gulf Coast region to assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In 2006 Mockler’s fellow D-MORT team members voted him Region 1 Outstanding Team Member of the Year.
During the past 16 years, Mockler has worked his way to the rank of captain at the Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department. Over the years his commitment to the department has been proven by his attendance to countless hours of training and education in order to maintain the skills needed in this field.
In addition, Mockler assists in the training of any new member of the department.
Jim and his wife Christine (McBreairty) have two sons, Robert and Eric.
Nancy Bosse Chandler was bestowed the Spirit of Caribou award during the annual Chamber of Commerce & Industry dinner last week.
Through Bosse’s dedication and enthusiasm, her efforts and a vision, the Caribou Children’s Discovery Museum has become a reality. Serving as vice president for the organization she has, from the beginning organizational meeting, been the group’s strongest advocate.
Working with the youth is not anything new to Chandler, as she has been the supervisor of conservation and educational services for Maine Public Service Company in Presque Isle for more than 20 years.
And during that time has facilitated many energy management programs for both children and adults.
In 2007, Bosse was presented the Philip C. Hastings Award (founding director of the Maine Public Utilities Commission’s Efficiency Maine Program) for her efforts to educate the residents of Aroostook County about energy efficiency through customer programs, trade shows, company tours, educational programs and regular visits to area retailers.
Chandler received her bachelor of science degree in secondary education form the University of Maine at Presque Isle, a Masters degree in business from Husson College and a certificate in management from the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
She is a member of the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club, the northern Maine Community College General Advisory Board, Job Corps Community Relations Council and the Presque Isle Garden Club.
Bosse, a resident of Caribou for 40 years, currently resides in Presque Isle with her husband, James Chandler. She is the mother of three children, Warren, Jamie and Leslie.
Each award recipient received congratulations from state Rep. Peter Edgecomb and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins.
Danny Raymond, left, presented the Citizen of the Year award to Jim Mockler.
