HOULTON, Maine — After a lifetime of serving the community of Houlton, perhaps it was only fitting that the late Albert Pearce Putnam was awarded with the Greater Houlton Area Chamber of Commerce’s highest honor.
Presented to his family, Putnam was posthumously honored Saturday evening at the 2017 Chamber annual dinner and gala with the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award. It marks the first time in the history of Chamber event that an award has been given to someone after their death.
“I am honored to do the Lifetime Achievement Award this year,” said Jane Torres, executive director for the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce. “There are people who walk quietly amongst us, making a difference. They make us better people and they make us a better community. Al was one of these people.”
Putnam was a quiet businessman and a builder. He developed Putnam Construction, a general contracting business, and co-owned Almon H. Fogg Company, which is now known as S.W. Collins.
“Al was a builder of residential and commercial buildings throughout the state,” Torres said. “He had an eye for knowing what his circumstance required. He knew how details mattered in the grander sense and was a reader of people, which was quite possibly the most critical part of his success and something he perfected.”
His wife Nancy accepted the award on his behalf. She was joined by two of their adult children, Emily and Martha Putnam.
“I am honored and humbled to accept this award for Al,” Nancy Putnam said. “I wish he were here to accept this tonight, because it would not be difficult for him to stand up in front of all of you as it is for me.”
Nancy Putnam said it was important to her husband to participate in community affairs and to carry on his family traditions.
“Both of his parents came from families that owned businesses in this community,” she said. “His grandfather owned Putnam Hardware and then with his brother, Putnam Brothers Oil Company. His grandfather Madigan owned Eastern Motors.”
Active in the community, Putnam served on numerous town boards and volunteered for many civic affairs. He served on the SAD 70 board, New Limerick board of selectmen and Katahdin Trust Company board of directors. He was also past president of the Houlton Chamber of Commerce. Putnam held lifetime memberships with the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and the Miramichi Salmon Association.
Later in his life, he enjoyed organic farming. Putnam grew potatoes and raised chickens on Fiddlehead Farm.
“Al was known for his delicious, organic contributions to a community ready to make healthier choices,” Torres said. “He believed in hard work, value of a good education and certainly required some fun thrown in for good measure. Our community was a better place because of his unselfish nature and forward thinking.”
“I think I can speak for Al that it was important to him to leave a useful contribution to his community,” Nancy said. “I hope he did that.”
Putnam died at the age of 70 at his home on Nickerson Lake on Dec. 31, 2016. He was born in Houlton Nov. 9, 1946 to Albert and Mary Putnam. He followed his graduation from Houlton High School with a postgraduate year at Fryeburg Academy. He also attended Ricker College in Houlton.
