In the early 1980s, Paul Vestal was the feisty, free-spirited, outspoken warden at the old Maine State Prison in Thomaston who advocated for inmates to learn practical skills and engage in meaningful work during their incarceration. He lead a review panel for juvenile offenders whose crimes were linked to substance abuse and then went to work for Catholic Charities. In 1990, he was named chairman of the Maine Human Rights Commission by then-Gov. John McKernan, a panel he served until his retirement in 2014.
A lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, Vestal joined the United Bikers of Maine in 1978 and became its president in 1982, serving seven consecutive terms as the group lobbied — successfully — to prevent Maine from requiring motorcyclists 18 and over to wear helmets. It was Vestal who persuaded three Maine governors — John McKernan, Angus King and John Baldacci — to personally participate in the UBM’s high-visibility Toys for Tots collection for underprivileged children.
He served on the board of the Motorcycle Rights Foundation, and in 2008 was inducted into the Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame in Sturgis, South Dakota, which honors those who protect the rights of motorcyclists through the political process and through grass-roots organization.
These days, at 69, Vestal lives at the Maine Veterans Home in Bangor. He has Alzheimer’s disease. Even in its early stages, the disease, which runs in his family, has made it impossible to live safely on his own.
“He’s very aware of what is happening to him,” said his ex-wife, Marjory Russakoff, who recently reconnected with Vestal after learning that he was struggling with the disease.
On April 5, Paul Vestal will be one of about 30 long-term care residents honored at the annual “Remember Me” event at the Augusta Civic Center, hosted by the Maine Health Care Association. Russakoff, who has remarried, worked with facility staff to nominate Vestal for the honor.
Her colorful ex-husband “always keyed into the needs of the underdog,” she said. And though he adopted the dress and style of the biker culture he rode with, Russakoff said he developed into a skilled negotiator who was comfortable interacting across social boundaries of income, education and power.
“It is very wonderful that the people of this great state are coming to honor him,” she said.
Now in its 14th year, “ Remember Me” aims to put a human face on the lives of Maine residents in long-term care, according to Nadine Grosso, spokesperson for MHCA.
“We have this wonderful opportunity each year to remind the public and our lawmakers that the residents of our facilities are whole people, individuals with long lives and histories, not just numbers or beds,” Grosso said.
Each year in January, MHCA invites its member facilities, approximately 225 nursing and assisted living centers, to submit a brief biography of one resident.
“We’re looking for someone with a historically significant background, who has overcome big challenges, who knew someone famous, who is a pioneer or a pillar of the community,” Grosso said. Out of about 60 responses each year, about 30 individuals are selected to honor.
That honor includes a professional photo session, inclusion in the MHCA’s annual “Remember Me” portrait exhibit and slide show, and a trip to Augusta for breakfast and an awards ceremony. This year, awards will be given by first lady Ann LePage.
Until two years ago, the event was held in the Hall of Flags at the state house, where it was intended to draw the attention of lawmakers. Grosso said the event outgrew that venue and was moved to the Augusta Civic Center, which is easier for honorees and their invited guests to navigate. Lawmakers are invited and several will be in attendance this year, she said.
Also in attendance will be Paul Vestal, his ex-wife, Marjory, some old friends and about a dozen former colleagues from the Maine Human Rights Commission, the Juvenile Justice Advisory Group and other organizations that bear his stamp. A spokesman for the United Bikers of Maine was unsure whether anyone from that organization would be on hand.
