In November 1959, Wayne Lawton landed a job running errands and performing other tasks as an “office boy” for the Bangor Daily News.

At $40 a week, it was a decent job for a 19-year-old. But Lawton’s love of sports soon opened up bigger doors at the paper. A senior person at the BDN with whom Lawton would talk sports with every morning promised to find him a better position.

“I ended up going to the advertising department, and I’ve been there ever since,” Lawton said.

On Thursday, Lawton will retire as advertising director after a 48-year career with the newspaper. Despite nearly five decades in the turbulent business, Lawton said his reason for retiring have more to do with allowing younger blood to take the helm than a desire to slow down or stop working.

“I really, truly could work forever at this job,” Lawton said during an interview.

On Tuesday, nearly 200 past and present co-workers, Bangor-area business and community leaders and members of Lawton’s extended family gathered at the Sea Dog restaurant in Bangor to celebrate his lengthy career.

“His passion for the business back in those days has remained with him during his entire tenure and likely will not go away any time soon,” said Rick Warren, publisher of the BDN.

Warren called Lawton’s career “truly remarkable” and said he leaves behind “a legacy that will be long remembered and much appreciated by all who have worked with him over the years.”

Gov. John Baldacci, a Bangor native and longtime acquaintance, called in to congratulate Lawton on his retirement.

Lawton’s career spanned tremendous changes in both newspapers and the advertising business.

When he joined the paper nearly 50 years ago, such downtown mainstays as Sears and Freese’s department stores accounted for much of the paper’s advertising revenue. Businesses also had few other venues in which to advertise their products.

Lawton’s co-workers credited him with bringing in new products to reflect changing trends while maintaining close relationships with advertisers.

Lawton said the Internet creates new challenges for the newspaper industry, but he believes strongly that customers will always want a printed product.

During emotional remarks, Lawton thanked the Warren family and the employees of the only place he has ever worked.

“I love the Bangor Daily News,” he said.

He and his wife, Anne, plan to remain in the Bangor area.