Austin Fox, a sixth-grader at Guy E. Rowe School in Norway, unveils the granite plaque dedicated to the late Terry Cram, the school’s longtime custodian and “beloved” crossing Friday next to Main Street. All 480 students attended the ceremony, along with Cram’s family, friends and acquaintances, and town and school officials.
People take photos of the granite marker dedicating the Main Street crosswalk in front of the Guy E. Rowe School in Norway to beloved crossing guard Terry Cram on Friday.
NORWAY — More than 400 students at Guy E. Rowe School joined family, friends and acquaintances of the late Terry Cram to dedicate the Main street crosswalk to their “beloved” crossing guard and longtime custodian.
Before unveiling the granite plaque dedicated to Cram, who died Dec. 18 at the age of 63, many students and staff expressed what he meant to them.
Ani Hill, a sixth grade student, said that in preparation for her speech, she asked her classmates for their best memory of Cram.
“Just about everybody I asked said his kindness,” Hill said. “In order to do good at your job, you need to do what you love, and love what you do, and that is definitely what he did.”
She said she hopes students “can continue his legacy for kindness.”
Fourth-grader Elli Hill said, “If Mr. Cram were the sky, he would not be the stars or the moon. He would be the sun, shining light, making every day glow.”
“If he were a meal, he’d be dessert with a side of Tootsie Rolls,” she said emphatically with a grin as the audience laughed.
Elizabeth Hallee, another sixth-grade student, called Cram a “living, walking, talking miracle. If you were feeling said, he’d try and make your day, and if you were feeling happy, he’d make your day even better.”
Fourth-grader Kaiden Wade lauded Cram for keeping students safe while they crossed the street in front of the school, and said his costumes and hats he wore as he guided them were memorable.
Town Manager David Holt shared his thoughts about Cram as well.
“Terry was an awfully good human being and did a very important job,” he said.
“I’m not sure if there are many jobs more important than a crossing guard, if you think about the responsibility that goes with it,” Holt said. “He did the job with enthusiasm and always showed us who he was. I’ve been around a long time and have never seen a crosswalk named after someone, so I am proud that our town has decided to name this crosswalk after Terry.”
Richard McIntosh, information technology specialist for School Administrative District 17, said Cram “made this spot his own in a big way.”
“Terry elevated the task of crossing guard to a fine art,” McIntosh said. “His costumes and daily cheer made crossing the street an event that made the entire community take notice.”
After the speeches, sixth-grader Austin Fox unveiled the granite plaque that was inscribed: “Guy E. Rowe Crosswalk is dedicated in memory of our beloved Mr. Terry Sim Cram, who shared 19 years of love, laughter and joy, while keeping our children safe.”
School Principal Daniel Hart thanked resident Shawn Brown for “preparing the granite, attaching the plaque and assisting with the installation. He also thanked Roberts Excavation of Norway for the ground preparation and installation, Town Clerk Shirley Boyce for helping organize the dedication and Lake Region Awards for assisting in making and delivering the plaque.
The Board of Selectmen voted in January to dedicate the crosswalk to Cram, who was born in Norway and resided in Paris at the time of his death.
“Terry elevated the task of crossing guard to a fine art,” McIntosh said. “His costumes and daily cheer made crossing the street an event that made the entire community take notice.” — Richard McIntosh, information technology specialist for School Administrative District 17
On their last day of classes in 2013, Guy E. Rowe Elementary School students are watched by crossing guard Terry Cram on Main Street in Norway. Cram, who often dressed in colorful costumes, held a sign: that read “Goin’ to the beach.” On Friday, the town dedicated the crosswalk in his name.
Jeffrey Padgett, a sixth-grader teacher at Guy E. Rowe School in Norway, shares memories of Terry Cram on Friday during the town’s dedication of the Main Street crosswalk in Cram’s name. The longtime school custodian and “beloved” school crossing guard died in December at the age of 63.
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