A large cardboard figure of Rangeley’s longtime Physical Education teacher and coach Tom (Ball) Danforth is pictured with Rangeley Lakes Regional School receptionist Debbie Frost, Wendy Steward, coordinator of the Sunshine Club for the school Erin Smith and student Cassidy Meeiros. The cardboard figure welcomed everyone Friday, May 28 to Danforth’s retirement party celebrating 31 years of service at the school. (Laura Dunham photo) RANGELEY — Tom (Ball) Danforth, the Rangeley High School Physical Education teacher and coach for 31 years, was nearly speechless as some 250 students, friends, family and coworkers turned out at the Rangeley gym Friday, May 28 to wish him well in his retirement. “I have been in school for more than 50 years, now it’s time to do something else,” Danforth said.

There were guitars everywhere honoring Danforth for his Tom Ball four-piece rock and roll band. Even the kindergarten class paid their good wishes with a performance of the ABC’s done rock-and-roll style.

Much to Danforth’s surprise, there were over 50 former students who had given up their afternoon to come and pay him honor. Classes were represented from throughout the 31 years he served as the Physical Education Health teacher and coach of just about every sport, even cheerleading.

One of those paying honor to Danforth was his own daughter, Aimee Danforth, who graduated in 1994 and spoke about the honor of being able to have her “Dad” as a teacher and coach from kindergarten through her senior year.

Several of Danforth’s former students came dressed for the occasion representing the year they graduated.

Many paid tribute to Danforth including Heidi Deery the basketball coach at school, Jenny Gagnon a former student from 1988 and Christi Haley a member of his first class in 1979, along with Lily Gacki of Kingfield who graduated in 2003 and is one of the art teachers at the school.

Danforth received many gifts... even a golden hockey stick.

Danforth said he was pleased that Stacy Knight, a 1988 graduate of Rangeley Lakes Regional School, would be filling his shoes as the new coach and Physical Education teacher next year.