We are just halfway through March but it has already been a difficult month for the eastern Maine sports community.
Two men who have left their mark on the local sports environment passed away unexpectedly.
George Bishop, the owner of the Penobscot Ice Arena in Brewer with his wife, Linda, died on March 3, three days shy of his 66th birthday.
Public address announcer Reid Durost, the voice of Husson University athletics, died three days later at the age of just 37.
When the Bishops bought the Penobscot Ice Arena in 2013, it was in dire need of a massive renovation.
Within months they had a new girls locker room and bathroom constructed; the other locker rooms had ceiling tiles and benches replaced and showers cleaned and retiled; electrical and plumbing systems were updated; the north wall behind the locker rooms were insulated and emergency exits and lighting was updated.
New boards and glass were installed and the arena’s warming room was improved dramatically with the addition of a fireplace, couches, arcade games, tables, chairs and a concession stand.
George Bishop also coached youth hockey teams and ran Learn to Skate and Learn to Play Hockey programs for Brewer Youth Hockey. And he played in adult leagues.
It is the only rink in the area that is open year-round which enables skaters and hockey players of all ages and levels to participate during the summer.
The Penobscot Ice Arena remains the home of the Brewer High School hockey team and the Penobscot Pioneers, the second-year varsity program for girls from Bangor High School, Brewer, Hampden Academy, Hermon, John Bapst, Old Town and Orono.
There is no telling what would have happened to the PIA if the Bishops hadn’t bought it and poured countless thousands of dollars into it.
Thousands have benefitted from their purchase of the facility.
Their impact in the hockey community hasn’t gone unnoticed.
There was a moment of silence for George after the public address announcer read off a list of his impressive accomplishments before recent games at the University of Maine’s Alfond Arena.
And, appropriately enough, memorial contributions were asked to be sent to Brewer Youth Hockey.
You may not have known Reid Durost but you definitely knew his voice.
He was a talent.
He had a deep, clear voice and a professional approach to his craft.
In addition to various Husson University contests, he did countless basketball tournament games at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor and University of Maine games.
The PA announcer’s role is part of the whole experience. They provide valuable information which could range from who scored, who picked up assists, how many fouls on a team or a player and who the substitutions are.
Hearing your name called in the pre-game introductions is a thrill for any youngster.
Durost mapped out his career at an early age.
He grew up in Presque Isle but moved to Hallowell with his family after his eighth grade year and played soccer, basketball and baseball at Hall-Dale High School in Farmingdale before becoming the announcer for Hall-Dale home basketball games his senior year.
He attended the New England School of Communications on the Husson campus in Bangor and became the voice of the Eagles.
Durost, who had a DJ business at one time, loved sports and was knowledgeable about them.
He was a delightful person with a nice demeanor and a good sense-of-humor.
Like Durost, Bishop was also very well-liked and well-respected.
Condolences to the families and friends of George Bishop and Reid Durost.
They may be gone but they will never be forgotten nor will their noteworthy contributions to the eastern Maine sports community.
Every local sports community needs people like George Bishop and Reid Durost.
They enhance the experience.
