Twitter
Facebook
Reddit
Digg
Tell us what you think!Send a letter to the editor about this or any other article in The Maine Campus.
Larry Mahaney, a longtime benefactor of University of Maine athletics, died Sunday in West Palm Beach, Fla., five days after suffering a massive stroke.
Mahaney, a native of Fort Fairfield, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the university in the 1950s and became CEO of Webber Energy Fuels. He was 76 years old.
“Larry was one of those invaluable people who made a real difference in his community,” said UMaine President Robert Kennedy. “He came from humble beginnings in Aroostook County, and he realized and appreciated the ways in which his UMaine education changed his life for the better. It became his mission to do what he could to provide the same kind of experience for those who would follow.
“Larry truly loved his alma mater, and he had a passion for excellence. He was driven by the desire to see UMaine and its students excel. UMaine is a better place because of Larry Mahaney.”
Mahaney is most closely associated with the UMaine baseball team. He helped fund the construction of the team’s stadium, Mahaney Diamond. He also contributed money for the construction of dugouts, bleachers and the clubhouse.
His final gift to the university before his death was a $1 million donation toward the construction of the dome practice facility that is named in his honor. He also helped with the creation of the Buchanan Alumni House.
“For the University of Maine he was a big fighter,” said John Winkin, head baseball coach from 1974 to 1995. “He was a proponent of a lot of things that improved intercollegiate athletics. He did a lot of things to make it possible for the sports he cared about to compete at the national level.”
“Larry had a tremendous impact,” said interim Athletic Director Blake James. “I think it’s because of people like Larry that our program continues to grow and be as successful as it is.”
Mahaney was born in Easton on Feb. 8, 1930. He graduated from Fort Fairfield High School before coming to UMaine. After receiving his master’s degree in education, Mahaney returned to Fort Fairfield where he taught and coached baseball. He later coached football and basketball at Brewer High School before joining Webber in 1962. He also served as an assistant baseball coach at UMaine.
Winkin described Mahaney as a “very generous and personable human being.”
“He loved baseball, athletics, the University of Maine and the state of Maine,” said Winkin.
The former coach described Mahaney’s determination to build the indoor practice facility, also known as the bubble.
“He wasn’t going to take no for an answer, no matter what the odds were,” said Winkin. “That marked his vision, perseverance and fighting for what he believed in.”
“Larry brought a passion to everything he did, and UMaine athletics was one of his passions,” said James. “It was a great benefit to the university and athletic department to have someone with Larry’s vision and drive.”
Bangor Daily News