Citizen Cane: Former Cracker Factory feted for longevity
By Caitlyn Kelleher Journal Reporter

Selectmen John Fairbanks (back left), Lorraine Emerson, and Thomas O'Toole joined Porter Dawley to honor him as the town's oldest resident. Journal Photo/Virginia Metevia

Porter W. Dawley received the Boston Post Cane on Friday, Jan. 26, from selectmen a few weeks after celebrating his 99th birthday.

B o r n in 1908, Dawley, a life-long resident of Westminster, is the first to receive the Boston Post Cane - a recognition of being the oldest resident in town - since the cane was returned to the town after a more than 50-year absence.

Dawley could barely believe the standing room only crowd that filled O'Toole's Coffee Shop. He kept repeating "oh, brother" and said he was simply "shocked" by the recognition and the crowd.

The surprise was accentuated because the crowd could not be seen from the outside since steam had obscured the windows on what was one of the coldest days of the winter to date.

Dawley, the former owner of the Westminster Cracker Factory, teared up as the cane and a certificate were presented to him from the town. State Rep. Lew Evangelidis also presented a cita- tion from the state.

Porter Dawley joined the celebration with a full house crowd at O'Toole's Coffee Shop in Westminster. Journal Photo/Virginia Metevia

The crowd included Westminster's three selectmen Lorraine Emerson, John Fairbanks and Thomas O'Toole, as well as Police Chief Salvatore Albert, Fire Chief Brenton MacAloney, Town Clerk Denise MacAloney and Town Coordinator Karen Murphy.

Other guests included former Police Chief Robert Cudak and Preston Baker.

"This is the most famous landmark in my district," Evangelidis told Dawley about the cracker factory.

The state representative says he is able to show off his district every time Westminster Oyster Crackers are served.

"It was taken when I was five years old," Dawley said of the photo that graces the bags of crackers.

The cane will hold a place of honor in the new Town Hall, expected to open this month, and will include a plaque honoring Dawley.

The surprise celebration came during Dawley's usual Friday lunch, which he did get to eat after the noontime celebration. Dawley only differed slightly from his routine by having two pieces of birthday cake instead of his usual slice of lemon merange pie

Dawley still lives in his home on Leominster Street, but now lives with his son, Peter. Dawley's wife, Dolly, died in 2001 at 95 years old, and the couple's other son lives out of state.

Dawley is a University of Michigan graduate.