ORONO – Eugene A. Mawhinney, 84, died June 24, 2006, at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Bangor. He was born Oct. 14, 1921, in Jonesboro, the son of Bert and Estella (Whitney) Mawhinney. He was a graduate of Jonesboro High School, Washington State Normal School, now, and the University of Maine. In 1955, he received a doctorate in political science from the University of Illinois. Prof. Mawhinney taught at NE Missouri State Teachers’ College, now Truman State University, in Kirksville, Mo., 1951-1955, and at Elmira College in Elmira, N.Y. 1955-1959, before returning with his family to the University of Maine at Orono in the fall of 1959. He joined the Department of History and Government and later chaired the Department of Political Science, when it was established in 1966. His service to the university included 31 years of teaching, nine years as department chairman and 17 years as pre-law advisor. After his retirement in 1990, he continued as Professor Emeritus, teaching and advising pre-law students until the winter of 2000. Prof. Mawhinney advised more than 800 University of Maine students, many of whom chose to pursue law degrees in Maine and throughout the country. He received the Distinguished Maine Professor Award in 1982, and in 1987, the Maine Bar Association honored him with the Distinguished Service Award. He was a member of Maine’s Judicial Council for 16 years, a member of the Maine Ethics Commission and president of the NE Political Science Association 1974-1975. An active member of the University of Maine Alumni Association, he received the Black Bear Award in 1996, and in 2002, was presented the Pine Tree Emblem Service Award in recognition of his contribution to the Alumni Association and the University of Maine. He served as president of the Senior Alumni and continued to serve on the Senior Alumni Council. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Signal Corps of the U.S. Army and later in the information and education division in Paris and Frankfort, Germany. An active member of the Church of Universal Fellowship since 1959, he was also a life member of the Warren Lodge No. 2 in East Machias and a member of the Anah Temple Shrine. His interests included gardening, stamp collecting and Maine history, speaking on subjects ranging from lighthouses to Joshua Chamberlain. After retirement, he was a volunteer at Eastern Maine Medical Center. He and his wife, Anne, enjoyed bridge parties and many visits and trips with family and friends. He particularly treasured time with his granddaughters and their cousins every summer on Gardner’s Lake. He was dedicated to teaching, his students and the university and his love and devotion to his family will be with them always. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Annie Dowling Mawhinney; a daughter, Meredith M. Anson and her husband, Philip S. Anson, of Scarborough; a son, Mark A. Mawhinney and his wife, Judith S.; five granddaughters, Courtney, Elisabeth, Hayley and Caroline Anson and Molly Mawhinney; one brother-in-law, Vincent Dowling and his wife, Evelyn; nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Arlene M. Look. The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the caring staff of the Maine Veterans’ Home. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, July 21, at the Church of Universal Fellowship, 72 Main St., Orono. There will be a light lunch and continued fellowship after the service. Memorial contributions may be made to a scholarship established for deserving political science students, Eugene A. Mawhinney Scholarship, University of Maine Foundation, 2 Alumni Place, Orono, ME 04469. A service of Brookings-Smith, LaBeau Chapel, Orono, where condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com
EUGENE A. MAWHINNEY
