Mahaney, Grondin were unique

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They certainly traveled in different circles. But in their own ways, Larry Mahaney and Jean Grondin were a part of local sports lore in Eastern Maine.

Both died over the weekend. Mahaney was 76 and Grondin was 90.

They were unique individuals who shared two common traits: they loved life and lived it with a passion and they both cared deeply about the University of Maine’s athletic program.

Mahaney was high-profile. If you didn’t know him personally, you knew who he was.

Mahaney was an Aroostook County native and a University of Maine basketball player who coached high school baseball, football and basketball before going to work for Webber Oil and building his impressive legacy.

Through his work ethic, determination and innovative ideas, he developed Webber Oil into a diversified multi-million dollar conglomerate. He became the company’s third president in 1969.

Mahaney donated millions of dollars to various athletic programs including his alma mater, which has a baseball stadium (Mahaney Diamond) as well as an indoor multi-sport facility with artificial FieldTurf (Mahaney Dome) bearing his name.

His business sense was second to none. He always did his homework. He left no stone unturned.

And he got things done.

When he decided to donate money to add lights at Mahaney Diamond, he was questioned about it.

It didn’t seem to make sense to add lights with the short college baseball season and the strong possibly the night-time temperatures in Orono during April and May would be uncomfortably cool.

But he explained that the wind died down at dusk so the wind chill wasn’t as low as you might think.

And he was right.

That paved the way for several attractive events including NCAA Northeast Regional Tournaments, the Bangor Blue Ox, high school all-star games and the Eastern Maine Amateur Baseball League.

Jean Maurice Grondin was a fixture at University of Maine hockey games.

You may not have known him by name, but if you spent any significant time watching the Black Bears at Alfond Arena, you knew his face.

He was a goal judge for several years and he played hockey, the sport he so loved, until he was 73.

Grondin, an honorary member of the University of Maine’s M Club, knew his hockey inside and out and he was well-versed in the strengths and weaknesses of every Black Bear team.

He traveled to Russia and Finland with some Eastern Maine buddies to play hockey in 1987. He was 72 at the time.

If you didn’t spend much time at Alfond Arena, you may have spotted the decorated World War II veteran on a local golf course.

He was an avid golfer who played in numerous central and eastern Maine seniors tournaments. He was a course rater and ranger.

In his coffin at his wake were an American flag, rosary beads, a putter and a hockey puck.

He wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Mahaney and Grondin were colorful, high-energy characters who always had an interesting story to tell.

They were overachievers who never forgot their roots.

They cared deeply about their state and community.

They will be sorely missed.

Larry Mahoney can be reached at 990-8231, 1-800-310-8600 or by email at lmahoney@bangordailynews.net.