Every community has at least one person whose life touches others in positive ways. For the town of Windham, one such person was Elliot Fogg, a well loved and generous man who worked 25 years at the Windham High School (WHS) as a custodian. Students and teachers alike, adored Fogg for his refreshing humor and kind spirit. He retired in June 1999, one month prior to his death from lung cancer.
In his honor and memory, the Windham Center 5k run/walk was created to raise funds for cancer
research. This fifth annual run/walk event will take place on Thursday, July 19 at Windham Town Hall. Registration begins at 6 p.m. with a run start time of 7:15 p.m.
The creator and coordinator of the Windham Center 5k is Tony Myatt. Myatt had a close relationship with Fogg. “I knew him personally and was very close to him,” Myatt said, referring to his high school years. “In fact, he was like a second grandfather to me, as well as to many other students. He just had a jovial and caring way about him – always being there for others.”
Fogg, a 1949 graduate of Windham High School, was a World War II veteran, entering the war as one of the youngest Maine soldiers. Upon his return, he worked for George Fogg Truck Company prior to his position at the school. He volunteered throughout the community, spending much of his free time working with his greatest passion, horses.
Although he never married or had children, Fogg treated WHS students and staff as if they were his family. “If anyone needed anything at all, Elliot was there in a second,” Myatt recalled. “He would buy us soda and chips sometimes and at Christmas time he’d get my brother and me candy. He considered all the kids at school, his kids or grandkids.”
“He was always joking, and he had a big booming voice,” Myatt continued. “So, we could hear his laughter thundering down the hallways. We would all get such a kick out of him.”
Fogg’s jovial and approachable manner provided him an opportunity to be a part of a film created by the students one year. “The students asked him if they could film him walking down the hallway,” Myatt began. “The students were trying to mimic the scene in “Saturday Night Fever” where Travolta is walking down the street and the camera zooms in on his feet while the song, ‘Staying Alive’ plays in the background. Elliot agreed to it – so somewhere, there is a film at the high school with Elliot walking down the hallway along with the tune of ‘Staying Alive’. Every time that song comes on, I always think of him and it brings back fond memories.”
The run/walk will include gift prizes and a free meal will be offered by Corsetti's.
To participate in the Windham Center 5k run/walk, register online at www.runsignup.com/Race/ME/Windham/WindhamCenter5K. For more information, contact Myatt at tonedog86@aol.com. Registration fee is $25.
If you do not wish to participate in the event but would like to donate $5 (for a pint glass) or $15 (for a t-shirt). Funds raised from this event will go toward the American Lung Association of Maine for cancer research.
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