Author, illustrator, artist and educator Thomas Block passed away unexpectedly on Friday, June 23. His final completed work was commissioned by Sharon Pulkkinen for the 2017 Books in Boothbay poster. Block finished the piece on June 9.

For the past four years, Block illustrated the event's poster with original designs that reflected both the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library and the Boothbay Railway Village, two organizations close to his heart.

Block illustrated more than a dozen books and was especially proud to have recently completed work on his first project as an author, "A Salty Tail."

Thomas also loved old cars, tractors and buildings. He often manufactured scenes at iconic locations like Bet's Fish Fry adding in a 1930s Ford Model A for good measure. He was a regular at Boothbay Railway Village events, especially Antique Auto Days and at the Fall Foliage Festival where he was in charge of carving the Village's homegrown giant pumpkins.

In honor of Block and his love for these two local institutions, Pulkkinen has had his last work made into prints. They can be purchased at Boothbay Harbor Framers, the circulation desk at the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library and the Boothbay Railway Village Museum Store. The 8 ½ X 11 prints are mounted on foam core and covered with a protective sleeve. They are $25 each with $10 from each sale going to the library and $10 to the Museum. Cash or checks (made payable to Sharon Pulkkinen) will be accepted. If you need your print shipped, or would like a custom size, contact Sharon directly at slpulkkinen@aol.com or 207-633-7167.

Thomas Block will be greatly missed by everyone at the Boothbay Railway Village, Boothbay Memorial Library and his fellow authors and illustrators at Books in Boothbay. This is a small, meaningful way to honor his spirit and legacy.