A group gathered on Sunday February 19 at the home of John A. “Jack” Webb, 94, of Island Falls to present him with the Boston Post Cane as the oldest citizen of the town.
Webb was born in Island Falls on March 4, 1922. He grew up in the town, hunting, fishing and playing baseball. He graduated from Island Falls High School in 1940, and enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and was trained as a radioman.
He was first stationed in Seawall, Maine, where he triangulated radio signals with Brazil and the US to locate German submarines. In 1944 he went to Adak in the Aleutians to do similar work in the war with Japan.
Webb was honorably discharged at the end of the war and returned to Island Falls, remaining there for the past 72 years. He worked as a milk transporter, hauling milk from dairy farms all over Aroostook County.
He enjoys playing golf and is a member of VaJoWa golf course and can still be seen hitting a few balls. Playing baseball in school and on town teams through the years, he is a die-hard Red Sox fan, watching and scoring all the games. He is currently eagerly awaiting the beginning of the season and spring training.
He was married to Norma Rush Webb for 50 years, has one daughter, Cheryl Webb Tardif, married to Ray Tardif MD, and has two granddaughters, Lauren Webb Tardif and Janelle Webb Tardif.
Attending the ceremony to make the presentation were Paige Coville, head selectman of Island Falls, and Greg Ryan and Rebecca Drew of the Island Falls Historical Society, along with Webb’s daughter Cheryl and son-in-law Ray Tardif, sister Winona Webb Farquar of Millinocket, neighbors Marion Hoar and Wayne Sanborn, Rebecca Marquis and Pat Drew. All enjoyed a social time with refreshments.
Several local people have had falls and accidents this past week.
Ellie Peck fell at home and broke her hip and injured her arm. She has had surgery and is recovering.
Shaun Curry of Sherman, son of Donna Curry, fell and broke his back and injured his shoulder. He is at home recovering.
Mike Whitney, son of Buddy, also has a fall, breaking his back. He is still in the hospital.
Henry Joy fell on the ice and broke his hip. He is at Eastern Maine Medical Center, having had surgery, and is recovering.
Accidents happen to anyone, regardless of age, so everyone needs to take precautions when on the ice, when using a ladder, and should also be aware of our older citizens and when we’ve seen them last.
Both of our Southern Aroostook basketball teams have progressed through the annual basketball tournament. With games still to be played, we are proud to encourage their hard work.
A hospice volunteer training program will begin in Island Falls on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon in April and May for five weeks. Call Elinor Savage for further information at 463-2465. This is a program designed to train volunteers to do in-home care for people in the communities needing end-of-life support. Previous experience not required.
