To the Editor:
Along the road of life, we meet people who leave lasting impressions. Bob Reny is one of them.
When I was 15-years old, Mr. Reny hired me to work as an office assistant in Renys Damariscotta headquarters. It was my first “real job” and my first “real paycheck.” I worked after school and on Saturday mornings-often, just the two of us.
During my sophomore year of high school at Lincoln Academy, my French Club planned a trip to France. I wanted to go, but the cost was prohibitive. It’s funny now, but I thought the logical thing to do was to ask Mr. Reny for an advance on my paycheck.
I explained to him that I had never traveled abroad and was really looking forward to this educational opportunity.
Instead of an advance, Mr. Reny arranged a small loan for me through the Damariscotta Bank & Trust. It would become my first “real loan.”
I didn’t know it at the time, but he was teaching me a very valuable lesson-to work hard in life and be responsible. Perhaps he didn’t know it at the time, but he was opening the eyes of a young boy from Damariscotta to the world.
I’ll always respect Mr. Reny’s dedication to our town, to its residents young and old, and his commitment to hard work-and I’ll always remember his jovial laugh.
Thank you Mr. Reny-you will be missed.
Kevin Kelley, Communications Director,
U.S. Senator Susan Collins,
Washington, DC
