The Rev. Arthur W. Greeley, center, was presented with Poland’s Boston Post Cane at a ceremony at his home. At left is Patricia Greeley, Poland Board of Selectman chair Steve Robinson, right. Submitted photo
POLAND — The town and the Poland Historical Society recognized the Rev. Arthur W. Greeley as the town’s oldest resident Dec.18 by presenting him with the Boston Post Cane at his home.
A New England tradition since 1909, the now defunct Boston Post newspaper issued 14-carat gold headed ebony walking sticks to 700 towns in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, with the request that the cane be presented to the town’s oldest resident, according to a news release from the historical society.
The Rev. Arthur W. Greeley was presented with Poland’s Boston Post Cane at a ceremony at his home. From left are Patricia Greeley, Louise Roberts and Poland Historical Society President Jack Rozos. In back, from left, are Poland Town Clerk Judy Akers Greeley and David Tedford. Submitted photo
A certificate was presented to Greeley by Town Clerk Judy Akers and Steve Robinson, chair of the Board of Selectman. His name will be added to a plaque which hangs in the Town Office.
The Rev. Arthur W. Greeley was presented with Poland’s Boston Post Cane at a ceremony at his home. Submitted photo
Greeley, born in Oakland in 1925, served in the U.S. Army in World War II, where he was wounded in Italy. A graduate of Colby College, he received his divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania. A congregational minister, he served communities in New Castle, New Hampshire, Kenosha, Wisconsin and elsewhere.
Married in 1953, he and his wife, Patricia, have lived in Poland since his retirement in 1986. Greeley has served as minister at Danville Union Church, as president of Poland Historical Society in 1998 and has served on various town committees over the years.
When asked if he had a secret to a long life, the longtime minister quickly responded, “I had nothing to do with it!”
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