Mahaney’s lessons

Your Dec. 22-23 profile of Webber Energy Fuels CEO Larry Mahaney was an interesting and informative piece on a highly successful and interesting person. As far as capturing the essence of his probable legacy, however, this former Brewer High School jock feels there was a significant facet of his contribution to the community which, if not entirely overlooked, was certainly not given the attention it should have received.

This writer had the good fortune of playing football at Brewer HS under Coach Mahaney for four years (’56-’59). He was one of the best of the era as far as teaching the fundamentals of the game, but there were other lessons being learned on frozen Doyle Field that, though not all that obvious at the time, would endure and pay off in countless ways throughout the years to come. The concept of self-discipline, both physical and mental, the ability to deal with and overcome adversity and, most importantly, the necessity for taking responsibility for one’s own actions were only some of the lessons learned from Coach Mahaney.

If the numbers of students benefiting from his mentoring and those whom they have effected, in turn, is considered exponentially, then making money and outstanding business acumen,though admirable, is probably not the most significant legacy Larry Mahaney will leave. Way to go, coach, and thanks.

Bob Blanchard

Peaks Island