Digest>Archives> Jul/Aug 2014

West Quoddy Head Lighthouse Honors Founding Member

By Timothy Harrison

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West Quoddy Head Lighthouse in Lubec, Maine, is ...
Photo by: Laura Timberman

Maine’s West Quoddy Head Lighthouse has named their museum after Ron Pesha, who is one of the founding members of the West Quoddy Head Light Keepers Association. Since the group was founded in 1998, Ron Pesha has served at various times as the president and as secretary of the nonprofit group as well as being an active volunteer at the Visitors Center for the lighthouse.

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Ron Pesha and his wife, Ronna, at West Quoddy ...
Photo by: Timothy Harrison

When the West Quoddy Visitors Center and Museum was created, officials estimated the cost to be $223,000, but Pesha was instrumental in doing the project for a mere $7,000. Most people were skeptical that a Visitors Center and Museum at a lighthouse this far off the beaten path would ever have enough visitors to make it viable. But by current estimates, by this time next year, the Museum and Visitors Center will have been visited by 250,000 people. And those are the ones who actually stopped in at the Museum. Additionally, there are many more people who visit the grounds and hike the trails who have never signed the log book at the Visitors Center.

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Ron Pesha thanks everyone for the special honors ...
Photo by: Timothy Harrison

The marvelous ceremony and unveiling of the plaque naming the Museum at West Quoddy Head Light in Ron Pesha’s honor was well attended by many friends and supporters.Opening remarks were made by Margaret Curley Clay, who, as part of her remarks, said, “His esteem for the history and culture of the area has been effectively shared with thousands of visitors from all over the world. Ron, we thank you for all that you have done for the lighthouse, the West Quoddy Head Light Keepers Association, and the community.”

Then the Longfellow poem “The Lighthouse” was recited by Chris Crittenden which was followed by the dedication in which Margaret Curly Clay invited Ron to unveil the plaque, which was followed by a thunderous applause from those in attendance.

In his remarks, Ron was humble, thanking all those who helped him over the years, and he jokingly said that he’s been to many events that honored others, but this is the first time he’s been to event that honored himself. This was followed by a toast given by Dennis Drews and then local maritime performer Stephen Sanfilippo sang “Let the Lighthouse Shine on Me” and audience soon joined in.

As well as being involved with the lighthouse, Ron Pesha was active in the Lubec Historical Society, the Maine Memory Network, and he has written a few books and numerous articles. He said it kept his retirement years busy by giving back. Unfortunately, Ron Pesha and his wife will now be moving to Vermont so that they can be closer to their son in their aging years. They will be missed by many in the community.

Congratulations to Ron Pesha – you have earned the respect and love of your peers and left a legacy that will remain at the lighthouse in the community of Lubec forever. We wish him the very best in the next part of his life’s journey.

This story appeared in the Jul/Aug 2014 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

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