Charles “Charlie” Presby, 97,  is Woolwich’s newest holder of the town’s Boston Post Cane. The selectboard awarded Presby the ceremonial walking stick at his home on Nequasset Road Sept. 16; the cane serves as a symbol of honor and respect for the community’s current longest living resident.

When asked if he had any advice for the younger generation, Presby said, “Take things one day at a time and keep working hard every day.” Presby continues to practice what he preaches. Most mornings he can be found behind his home cutting or splitting both firewood and camp wood which he sells to devoted customers. A number of Presley’s loved ones gathered on the lawn in front of Presby’s tidy home including his daughters, Melanie Weaver and Mary Ellen Wright. They treated him to pizza, soft drinks and Rice Krispy Treats, his favorite dessert made by Mary Ellen’s husband Gary Wright. Presby’s wife of 66 years, Rosalie Hawthorn, died in 2023.

A Woolwich native, Presby said he was born in 1927 in his parents’ home. The family lived off what was then called Hockomoch Road, known today as Barley Neck Road. Weaver said her dad weighed a whopping 13 pounds when he was born! The same year Presby came into the world the Carlton Bridge linking Woolwich to Bath opened to motor traffic on Atlantic Highway; before that, people relied on ferry boats to cross the Kennebec River.

Presby is proud to be part of what’s called “America’s Greatest Generation.” He did his part during World War II by serving as a member of the U.S. Army Air Force. (The Air Force didn’t become its own military branch until 1947.) Following his basic training Presby became an aircraft mechanic charged with servicing B-17s. They were the heavy, four-engine bomber airplanes nicknamed the “Flying Fortresses” and credited with helping turn the tide of battle in favor of the Allies.

Following the war Presby returned to Woolwich and tried his hand at a number of jobs. For a while he worked as a licensed airplane mechanic but mostly he was employed as an automotive mechanic. He was employed for 40 years as a technician and problem solver at the former Sears Automotive Center at Cooks Corner Plaza in Brunswick. Presby was kind of surprised by all of the attention people were giving him Monday but happy and appreciative. Besides his two daughters he has four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

“We hope that you’ll have this ceremonial cane to keep for many, many years to come,” said Selectboard Chairman David King Sr. introducing himself and shaking Presby’s hand. Selectman and State Rep. Allison Hepler then presented Presby with a Maine Legislature “sentiment” both recognizing and congratulating him for his longevity. Also on hand was Selectman Dale Chadbourne, a relative of Presby’s, along with selectmen Jason Shaw and Tommy Davis.

Presby inherited the Boston Post Cane from Geraldine “Gerry” Edgerly who died at age 101 on Aug. 17. Edgerly had held the cane since 2020. Like many other communities that carry on the custom, Woolwich now awards a replica of the cane, keeping the original locked in the town office for safekeeping. Woolwich also publishes a list of Boston Post Cane recipients in its annual Town Report. The list goes back to 1914.

After the Sept. 16 ceremony, King told Wiscasset Newspaper Woolwich’s continuing to carry on the Boston Post Cane tradition is gratifying, even if the walking stick they now use isn’t the genuine article. “It’s the most enjoyable part of my job as a selectman and wonderful that we’re able to recognize someone in our community for their longevity.”