LEWISTON — Friends and associates of Chip Morrison, retiring president of the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, showered accolades on the organization’s leader at a farewell reception Tuesday evening.
It was a heartfelt tribute to the popular community leader. Although it marked Morrison’s departure from the chamber after 20 years, it was the universal opinion of attendees and speakers that he was opening a new chapter in his life.
The refurbished reception space in the historic Bates Mill Complex was packed with well-wishers. Speakers ranged from Maine’s U.S. senators, who sent video greetings, to associates, who delighted in kidding Morrison about his golf game and marveling at his boundless enthusiasm for the Lewiston-Auburn community.
Clif Greim, chairman of the chamber’s board of directors, was master of ceremonies for the event. Following a social hour featuring hors d’oeurvres from several local restaurants, Greim invited Morrison to take a seat in a rocking chair close to the speakers. The chair, a gift from the chamber, was a signed product of the famous handmade furniture line of the Thos. Moser company in Auburn.
Jane Morrison sat beside her husband of 53 years. Speakers acknowledged her important role in support of Morrison’s career, and they saluted her five years as executive director of Safe Voices, an organization advocating for domestic violence victims throughout central Maine. She is also retiring this month.
Jane Morrison’s remarks added a candid and personal picture of the retiring chamber executive as a devoted father and husband.
“This is the first time I have ever publicly addressed Sir Chip,” she said, adding that whenever she tried to describe his role to others, she would call him “the godfather of his community.”
They met as 16- and 17-year-olds, she said, and their first date was for miniature golf. That may have foretold his long love of golf, well-known to his friends. His work to build the chamber’s annual golf tournament has raised more than $560,000 in scholarships.
“I feel I am one of the luckiest people on the planet,” Morrison said when he took the stage for closing comments. Among his most important accomplishments, Morrison said, “was raising two remarkable children.”
He praised the broad support of his home communities several years ago when a bone marrow transplant was needed by his son, Brett.
Brett and his sister, Beth, could not attend the reception, but their mother read moving letters from them. Brett noted his father’s extensive accomplishments for the L-A community and beyond, but he added that he believes Morrison’s “highest priority was your family.”
Greim said Morrison had “a phenomenal impact on this community.” That was a view echoed by speaker after speaker.
Prior to his years with the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, which became the largest in Maine under his leadership, Morrison was city manager of Auburn and a Cabinet member in Gov. John McKernan’s administration.
Other speakers at the reception included Donna Steckino, a past chamber chairwoman, who kidded Morrison about his passion for golf. Bud and Jennifer Willey, both longtime chamber officials and supporters, presented a humorous review of some of Morrison’s familiar characteristics.
Video greetings were shown from U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King, and from U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin.
Morrison wrapped up the event with a brief story about the handbell he has used to call many chamber meetings, large and small, to order. He said his mother had used the bell to call the family to dinner, and he passed to bell on to Matt Leonard, who succeeds Morrison as the chamber’s new president.
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