Carolyn Zachary
P. O. Box 236
Belfast, ME 04915-0236
(207) 338-0820
czachary@midcoast.com
www.facebook.com/groups/UMaineClass1965/
Floyd Keniston G made broadcast and print news when he was honored by the Maine Legislature as a Pearl Harbor survivor.
Floyd earned a graduate degree from UMaine in 1965. Twenty-four years earlier, he was serving as a seaman first class aboard the USS Argonne when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The Legislature honored him December 7, 2016, on the 75th anniversary of the attack.
According to stories in the Bangor Daily News and WCSH-TV, Augusta, Floyd heard the first explosions and got to the Argonne’s deck just in time to see a Japanese plane streak by. “I rushed out on the deck because I heard the bombs going off,” he said. “I had been trained to do something and I did it, but I wasn’t afraid—not then. Maybe later.” Floyd, who now lives in Hollis, went on to serve four years at sea, rising to the rank of gunner’s mate.
In April 2017, Floyd, now 95, was flown by Honor Flight Maine to Washington, D.C., with a group of other WWII veterans, to see their memorials.
Baseball player David J. Thompson was one of eight UMaine graduates selected in March to be enshrined in the University of Maine Sports Hall of Fame. The induction dinner and ceremony were held September 8.
A two-time baseball captain, the infielder helped lead the Black Bears to their 1964 College World Series appearance. Dave hit safely in all five series games, batting a team-leading .315, and earning a spot on the College World Series all-tournament team. He lives in Wayne.
Former football coach and administrator Michael H. Haley ’67G was among the fourth class of inductees into the Maine Principals Association Hall of Excellence in May. Mike and the other Maine sports figures were recognized for contributions to interscholastic activities around the state.
A graduate of South Paris High School, where he earned 15 varsity letters, Mike played football and baseball at UMaine. After graduating with us, he went on to earn a graduate degree in 1967.
Mike coached football at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine before beginning what the association described as a distinguished career as a coach, teacher, and administrator at numerous Maine high schools. He has participated on local, league, and state committees, as well as serving as the association’s ice hockey director for the past 24 years and assisting the organization in many other events. He lives in Auburn.
In January, Maine Gov. Paul LePage ’75G renominated Karl W. Turner to the University of Maine System board of trustees. A former state senator and retired financial executive from Cumberland, Karl has served on the board of trustees since 2011.
Karl graduated from UMaine with a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering. He served as a Republican state senator from Maine’s 11th District, representing part of Cumberland County from 2000 to 2008.
I recently received a call from a neighbor, Sally Pope Halliday. Turns out she lives just a few blocks down the street from me in Belfast. She started out at UMaine in the Class of 1964, “but three kids put me behind,” she said, and she graduated with us. Sally retired but later was lured back to computer programming, from home, for the judicial branch of Maine’s state government. Her husband, Hal Halliday ’62, passed away just six months short of their 50th wedding anniversary.
I received a sad message from Jacqueline Staples Olson ’66 telling of the death of her husband, John C. Olson, in July. John had a long career as a wildlife biologist with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Carol Farley Hartt, a member of our class until senior year and my roommate for almost three years, stopped by not long ago and we spent a few hours catching up. A native of Presque Isle, she has spent all of her adult years in Meriden, CT, where she completed her degree and taught school until her retirement a few years ago.
A few months ago I had the pleasure of evaluating, with other Senior Alumni, scholarship applications from non-traditional students. Some remarkable individuals are working their way through UMaine despite significant challenges. Your donations are well-spent.
Please let me hear from you about what’s going on in your lives.
Until next time.