A crowd of
family and friends gathered at the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, located in
Bristol, Maine, on June 15, 2005 to honor and celebrate the life of Dick
Melville who passed away this past January. Melville, who served as the
president of the Friends of Pemaquid Lighthouse – a chapter of the
Wells-based
Photo by Kathleen Finnegan
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
American
Lighthouse Foundation, was a true “keeper of the light” and friend to the
community in every sense – whose void is still felt today. Under Melville’s
leadership, Pemaquid Point Light became the first land-based lighthouse in
the state of Maine to be opened to the general public. He also played a
major role in the 2003 Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Quarter ceremony and worked
diligently to secure and train a dedicated group of community volunteers to
care for the tower and ensure it remained open for the public’s enjoyment.
It was quite
evident from the heartfelt comments conveyed at the intimate memorial that
Melville’s impact was hardly confined to the
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Carlos Melville - son of Dick Melville,
stands next to the Fresnel lens
inside Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
lighthouse itself. In fact, participants
drew many parallels of Melville’s legacy with the breathtaking location
of the historic beacon. “We all come to seek out this special place here
at Pemaquid Point – there is something magical about this spot,” said
Tim Harrison, president of the American Lighthouse Foundation. “Why is
it good for the soul? I
don’t know, I just
know it is – and so did Dick Melville. He loved this place and dedicated
himself to sharing it with others.”
Despite the loss of Melville’s leadership, friendship and
passion for the preservation of Pemaquid Point Light, the officers of the
Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse carry on his memory and work with
honor. “Dick was a special person. This project all started with his energy,
wisdom and passion, which he has imparted to us, said Marty Welt, president
of the Friends of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse (FPPL). “We carry this project
on as a tribute to Dick’s legacy – and we are proud to do so.” FPPL
treasurer Caryn Clark echoed Welt’s words of admiration for Melville,
saying, “Dick was so insightful. He just knew who would be dedicated and who
he could count on as a volunteer at the lighthouse.”
American Lighthouse Foundation president Tim Harrison paid permanent tribute
to Dick Melville’s legacy at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse by
presenting his wife Angela and son Carlos
with a plaque that will be on display at the lighthouse. In a touching
presentation to the Melville family, Harrison proudly stated that future
visitors to Pemaquid Point will always have the opportunity to learn and
appreciate Dick’s legacy and his commitment to serving the community.
Harrison then looked at the crowd and commented to them,
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
(L to R) Marty Welt & Angela Melville
look on as Tim Harrison reads
the text from the plaque
“When you look at
this light tonight and from now on, remember the many keepers and their
families who dedicated their lives to helping others – special people like
Dick Melville.”
The following is a lighthouse poem that Tim
Harrison read at the memorial service in honor of Dick Melville. The poem
was extremely appropriate for the breathtaking setting surrounding Pemaquid
Point Lighthouse and the deep meaning “keeper” Dick Melville has forever
etched in the hearts of his family and many friends…
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Carlos Melville & his mother Angela -
with their dog Piper, stand by the lighthouse
ALF Photo
Dick Melville...a true keeper of the
flame at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
