Recognizing Outstanding Rockland Citizens

The following is a guest blog by my brother, Theodore Sylvester,

 a true Southender, now of Owls Head

            Throughout its history, Rockland has made it a practice to recognize some of its outstanding citizens by naming streets, parks and buildings in their honor. Just to mention a few, there is Tillson Avenue, Talbot Avenue, Moran Drive, Gordon Drive and Ulmer. Just recently a street was named to recognize Capt. Richard Spear, a deserving honor.

            As for parks, there are Snow Marine Park, Mildred Merrill Park, Marie Reed Park, Wasgatt Field, General Berry Square, Berliawski Park, among others. As for buildings there’s McDougal School and McLain School.

            The point of this is to note that the city should now give consideration to naming a street, park or building in honor of my friend, Tom Molloy. He is retiring as a city councilor, after having served more years than maybe E. Allen Gordon. He has served more terms as mayor than anyone in the history of the city.

Other civic endeavors have been to be one of three authors of a book on Rockland history: “Home Front on Penobscot Bay: Rockland During the War Years of 1940-1945.” All proceeds from the sale of this book went for scholarships for Rockland youth. Tom also was the chairman of a committee that perfected an application that succeeded in Rockland being named a Coast Guard City. He continues to serve on the Gagnon Cancer Fund committee in honor of his long time friend, the late Bob Gagnon. Tom also was a member of the Share the Pride organization that, among other things, designed and erected a Hall of Fame at City Hall that recognized some of Rockland’s most famous persons. He also is involved in establishing an honor roll for veterans at the Legion Post. Over the years he also has been involved in other civic activities.

Professionally, Tom was a well-known and respected radio newsman for Station WRKD. He then returned to school where he earned a master’s degree in education. For many years he taught school in the SAD 5 district at both South School and Owls Head Central School, retiring four or five years ago. There are many of his pupils who will tell you Tom was the best teacher they ever had.

It’s now time that the city recognized Tom’s devotion to his city and for his many years of service. Here’s an idea. There has recently been talk of changing the name of South School as it now serves all elementary students in Rockland with the closing of McDougal School. Wouldn’t it be appropriate to rename that school the Thomas J. Molloy Elementary School?  After all, he went to school there, taught there, and is a native Rockland Southender.

Ted Sylvester is the retired Rockland Bureau Chief of the Bangor Daily News. In 2008 he was inducted into the Maine Press Association’s Hall of Fame. He also is a Rockland Southender.