Dawley celebrates a 100 years in Westminster
Town wishes Dawley happy birthday
By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

Porter Dawley celebrated his 100th birthday on Jan. 3 with a party held in his honor by the First Congregational Church of Westminster. JOURNAL PHOTO/CAITLYN KELLEHER

Porter Dawley celebrated his 100th birthday on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008, with more than 40 members of the Westminster community and other friends at Wachusett Manor in Gardner.

Dawley, a life-long resident of Westminster, couldn't believe his eyes as he walked into the celebration in his honor organized by the First Congregational Church in Westminster, where he is a member. He entered to a celebratory, but out-of-tune rendition, of "Happy Birthday toYou."

Dawley was also surrounded members of his family including his grandson, Eric Dawley, of Westminster.

At his celebration he was represented with Westminster's copy of the Boston Post Cane, which is given to the oldest resident of town. Selectman Tom O'Toole presented the cane to Dawley and it will hang in the Town Hall with a plaque recognizing him. O'Toole also presented a citation from the Selectmen honoring Dawley's life in town.

(Above) State Rep. Lew Evangelidis presented Porter Dawley with a citation from the House of Representatives in honor of his 100th birthday. (Left) Selectman Tom O'Toole talks with Dawley after presenting him with a citation from the Board and the Boston Post Cane. JOURNAL PHOTO/CAITLYN KELLEHER

Also honoring Dawley was state Rep. Lew Evangelidis (RHolden), who presented a citation for his 100 years from the House of Representatives.

Evangelidis recalled the year of Dawley's birth by noting that President Theodore Roosevelt was finishing up his term in office and that there 144 miles of paved roadway in the United States.

Dawley's family used to own and operate the Westminster Cracker Factory on Main Street, before they sold it.

"I just remember it was a great business," he said.

Dawley is one of the children pictured in an original drawing of the red building that is still pictured on the oyster crackers packages for Westminster Crackers.

Dawley, a graduate of the University of Michigan, spent a few moments during the party discussing the team's performance this year.

Dawley graduated in 1931 after spending four years at the school, which at that time had a student body of 9,000. He graduated after taking a general course of study.

"It was a wonderful school," he said. "I have many friends out there. There are a few that aren't quite as old as I am that I talk to every."

Dawley, who graduated from Worcester Academy, said he would get on the train in Worcester at 4:45 p.m. and arrive in Ann Arbor, MI, at 8:30 a.m.

"It was a nice change," he said. "I was a country boy and to go to a school like that was different. ... (The size of) it was a total surprise for me."

Dawley was also recognized for his service on the Board of Trustees for Fitchburg Savings Bank and Worcester Academy.