Moody’s Diner co-owner Steve Moody (center) poses with family members during his retirement party at the diner Monday, Oct. 30. From left: Will Truesdell, Julia Truesdell, Myles Truesdell, Lisa Truesdell, Stephen Moody, Candace Moody, Linsey Moody, Travis Thiboutot, and Hannah Thiboutot. (Alexander Violo photo)
After 25 years on the job, a co-owner of Moody’s Diner is getting ready to enjoy his retirement.
Stephen Moody, who started working at the diner in 1992 and spent 25 years with the restaurant, was celebrated at a retirement party at the iconic Waldoboro establishment the evening of Monday, Oct. 30.
Friends, family members, and co-workers packed into the restaurant to share stories about Moody and wish him well in his upcoming days of leisure.
Moody said that after years of taking care of the daily specials at the diner and filling orders, he is looking forward to splitting his time between Maine and Florida and spending some time fishing and golfing.
Moody’s Diner co-owner Steve Moody receives a gift during his retirement party at the diner Monday, Oct. 30. (Alexander Violo photo)
Moody said one of his favorite parts of working at Moody’s over the years was meeting new people and working with the restaurant’s employes.
Reflecting on his time at the diner, he said he is going to miss his daily interactions with people most.
“I’m going to miss the customers coming and going all the time, and all the people I’ve met through the years,” Moody said.
The retirement party kicked off at 6:30 p.m. and featured appetizers and pizza, in addition to ice cream cake from Dairy Queen.
After dinner, a number of individuals in attendance spoke on their experiences with Moody over his 25 years at the diner.
First to speak was Moody’s daughter, Linsey Moody, who recalled her dad transitioning to work at Moody’s, taking care of the cabins near the diner, when she was 3 years old.
Linsey Moody thanked those in attendance for coming to the retirement party and said she is having a hard time picturing her father retired.
She said over the years she appreciated the time her father put into the diner and his family.
“For my dad, it was powering through 12-hour days and somehow holding onto enough energy to attend sporting events, school activities, and church services,” she said. “You’d always catch him on Thursday nights bowling with his league. We went camping on the lake and hiking in Acadia. Stevie Moody has always been a busy guy, and I think we all would like to be a fly on the wall watching him attempt to relax.”
Steve Moody opens a gift, a personalized fleece jacket, during his retirement party at Moody’s Diner in Waldoboro on Monday, Oct. 30. (Alexander Violo photo)
Linsey Moody closed her remarks by thanking her dad for supporting her from her first day working at Moody’s Diner to college and living in Seattle.
“I boomeranged back in time to see the diner celebrate 90 years and to watch my dad make his transition into retirement. Your kind heart, “unfussy” attitude, and reliability will be greatly missed here. Thank you for all that you have done for me, my family, and our work crew. Love ya, Dad,” she said.
Before dessert, Moody’s co-owner and General Manager Dan Beck presented Stephen Moody with gifts, including a jacket emblazoned with his years at Moody’s and gift certificates to a restaurant and golfing in Florida.
Beck also spoke of his time working with Moody and thanked him for his patience in their 15 years of working together, praising Moody for his flexibility and willingness to adapt to change.
“It’s been my pleasure to be back here at Moody’s working with you for the past 15 years now,” Beck said.
Beck also wished his co-owner well as he embarks on retirement.
“As this chapter of your life closes and a new one begins, I’m confident you will adapt well. You’re going into retirement with good health and many days ahead,” Beck said.
