By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — Each year, as time marches on, someone dies who lived in a town and made it better.

In the Town of Naples, in 2023 through early 2024, four citizens who contributed to their town died.

Furthermore, the Naples Town Report was dedicated to those four people: Roland Mayberry, Bob Caron, Sr., Jennifer Kenneally and Dan Allen.

Last week, at the Naples Annual town Meeting, a moment of silence was conducted in their honor.

Prior to the meeting, Naples Town Manager Jason Rogers spoke a few words, highlighting events that have transpired over the year.

“In taking that time, first I want to address and honor the community members we lost last year,” he said.

“Our town relies on community involvement to maintain our history, manage our present and chart a course for our future. This past year, we lost four community members who left a deep and lasting mark on Naples legacy,” Rogers said. 

The manager asked for a brief moment of silence to honor the contributions of those folks.

Three of the four people (Allen, Caron, Keneally) served on boards and committees as a way of giving back to the community.

Born in 1933, Roland Mayberry was a native to Naples. He acted as the Naples Road Commissioner and worked for the State of Maine plowing snow and driving a grader.

“In the winter when his signature red hat came out, he was in his glory plowing snow,” the report said.  

Born in Connecticut in 1943, Caron arrived in Naples in 1971. He started a family and a business, New England Electric & Electronics, Inc. In 2015, he retired and closed his business. While living in Naples, he spent more than 35 years serving on the Naples Select Board and/or various town committees such as the Naples Causeway Renovation Committee. Additionally, he had seat on the Naples Public Library Board of Trustees.

Hailing from Beverly, MA, Allen purchased in 1989 a business called Cooper’s Anchorage, which he built into the Causeway Marina. He worked on the Naples Bridge Committee and later the Naples Causeway Renovation Committee as well as other town boards. Additionally, he helped to organize the Naples Winter Carnivals — when that event existed.

Kenneally was born and raised in Rumford, Maine. While living in Naples, she worked for the Recreation Department in Gorham. Kenneally got involved with town committees during the past five years. She served on the Naples Community Center Exploratory Committee, which did a lot of public outreach.

“Jen was very active in her community, serving tirelessly on board and committees for the Town of Naples,” the report said. All of the individuals enjoyed spending time with family, and realized the importance of connecting with loved ones. Their volunteerism with the town was being highlighted during town meeting.