UMaine Benefactor Larry Mahaney Dies at 76
Contact: Clinton Colmenares at 581-3742
Bangor businessman, philanthropist and long-time University of Maine benefactor Larry Mahaney died Sunday, Feb. 12, in West Palm Beach, Fla. after suffering a massive stroke five days earlier.
The former chairman of the board and CEO of Webber Energy Fuels was born in the small Aroostook County town of Easton on Feb. 8, 1930, and worked as a potato farmer in his youth. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in education at the University of Maine in the 1950s.
A former standout athlete at Fort Fairfield High School, Mahaney later taught and coached baseball there and coached football and basketball at Brewer High School before becoming manager of Webber’s heating oil division and director of the company’s advertising and public relations in 1962.
UMaine President Robert Kennedy expressed condolences to Mahaney’s family.
“Larry was a good friend to Mary and me, and a great friend of the University of Maine. I will miss his infectious enthusiasm for life, and his profound belief in the value of his beloved alma mater. UMaine is a much better place because of all Larry did for us. My sympathy goes to his family and other friends at this difficult time.”
Mahaney, who also was once an assistant baseball coach at UMaine, had been inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame in 1997, and had been awarded honorary doctorates from the University of Maine in 1988 and Thomas College in 1989. He also was the recipient of the Harold Alfond Award for Athletic Philanthropy in 1995.
His generosity included helping with the creation of the Buchanan Alumni House, the building of the UMaine baseball stadium and clubhouse, which bear Mahaney’s name and, more recently, a $1 million donation for the new 38,000-square-foot dome practice facility at UMaine, which also bears his name.
“The University of Maine lost a wonderful friend in Larry Mahaney,” said interim Athletic Director Blake James. “He was a leader of our program and truly made a difference in the lives of our student athletes. Larry’s vision, generosity and passion for Black Bear athletics are what helped make our program successful. While his vision and generosity touched all of our sports, his passion was baseball. Larry helped keep Maine baseball as one of the truly special programs in the country.
“I am confident that Coach Trimper, Coach Kostacopoulos and Coach Winkin would all testify to the tremendous impact that Larry had on our baseball program. We will all miss Larry; however, his commitment to our program will be with us forever,” said James. “Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.”