CARIBOU, Maine — The longtime maintenance director at the Caribou Rehab and Nursing Center has recently celebrated his retirement after 43 years.
John Morrill, a Van Buren native, was hired on July 31, 1978 by the Caribou Nursing Home, now known as the Caribou Rehab and Nursing Center. His last day as a full-time employee was June 30, 2021.
He continues to work for the facility as a per diem consultant.
Morrill is known for being extremely dedicated to the nursing facility. He responded to the facility’s needs 24/7, regardless if in the middle of the night, weekends or holidays, and staff said he always beat the fire trucks to the facility whenever the fire alarm was tripped.
Phil Cyr, facility administrator, stated “We have been extremely fortunate to have someone of John’s dedication and knowledge for the past 43 years.”
Cyr said Morrill was not only dedicated, but knew every aspect of every mechanical or electronic system at the facility.
“Area plumbers and electricians would comment that very few facilities ever have a maintenance director as knowledgeable as John,” Cyr said.
Morrill’s vast knowledge enabled him to troubleshoot directly to the heart of any mechanical problem; hence the reason he was asked to stay on as a consultant.
In addition, he routinely would get up at 4 a.m. to clear the parking lots of any snow so the 6 to 7 a.m. day shift staff would always have clean lots to park in, and he would be back again prior to the 3 and 11 p.m. shifts to clear any new fallen snow for them, as well.
Cyr said Caribou Rehab sincerely thanks Morrill for his years of dedication and wishes him the best in his retirement from full time work at the facility.
