To the Editor,
On June 28, a Manchester icon, Vincent Terrill, Sr., passed away. His obituary was in the Cricket, but as some people may have not known Vin, they might have overlooked it. I wanted to bring attention to a man who led a life of service-to his country, the railroad, his community, and to his church.
Vin settled in Manchester in 1955 and was involved in many organizations, committees, and town projects. He was a coach, member of the athletic association, president of the Sweeney Park Planning and Design team. He was a spokesman for the Lion’s Club Red, White, and Blue Breakfast at Tuck’s Point. He wrote many informative and comical articles—always too lengthy—for the Cricket, getting the word out for events such as breakfasts, ham and bean or chili dinners, and fundraisers.
First Parish Church Congregational, the “church on the green,” was his home away from home. Vin ran Saturday night ham and bean or chili suppers. He was on the committee that raised the steeple of the church in the 1970s. Vin believed that this steeple on the common was a symbol of Manchester-by-the-Sea. The building was the Town Meeting House before the church bought it. The steeple is what one sees upon entering the town by air, land, or sea. This steeple includes the weathervane, the clock, the bell, and the carillons (the set of bells that make music). In honor of their father, his children Linda, Vinny, Jr., and Sarah set up the Vincent Terrill Memorial Steeple Fund to help with the maintenance of the steeple. Donations can be made to First Parish Church P.O. Box 187 with “Vincent Terrill Memorial Fund” in the memo.
Vin wanted to serve his community and his life is an inspiration to us all.
He lived in the large yellow house, downtown on the tracks. Give a honk when you go by.
Sincerely,
Mary Ellen Cook
Manchester
