In his 40 years working for South Portland, John “Linky” Erskine said, “I think I’ve probably met every person that lives in this city.” Drew Johnson / Sentry
John “Linky” Erskine has seen South Portland transform over his 40 years working for the city.
Erskine, who will retire next week, began his career as an animal control officer and a mechanic for the city’s police and fire departments. A year later, he was hired by the Parks Department as a mechanic before being promoted to foreperson and eventually parks operations manager. He will also retire as the city’s arborist.
The longtime South Portland resident said the highlights of his career were the creation of several city parks under his watch and taking part in the events they play host to.
“Since I’ve been here, we built the Greenbelt Walkway, Wainwright Fields, Bug Light Park, we renovated Mill Creek Park,” Erskine said. “I’ve been involved in all the events that happen in our parks; movie nights, Concerts in the Park, Art in the Park.”
Another park built during his time with the city was Erskine Park, named after his father, the late Ge Erskine, a beloved South Portland Public Works director from 1979 to 1999. Erskine and his father shared a passion for helping their fellow residents.
“I just love to help people and every day I get to work with the people in this city,” Erskine told the Sentry. “I’m going to miss the day-to-day interaction with citizens.”
Meanwhile, Erskine’s colleagues will also miss him.
“Linky dedicated his career to South Portland,” City Manager Scott Morelli said in a statement to the Sentry. “Our community was fortunate to have his service for over 40 years. He’ll be missed, but he’s on to a well-deserved retirement.”
“I will extend my thanks to your 40 years of dedication and hard work for the city of South Portland,” Mayor Misha Pride said at a Council Meeting on Tuesday where the council passed a proclamation to commemorate his career.
Erskine said he’s had his nickname all of his life.
“I’ve had that ever since the day I was born,” he said. “I was born on my uncle’s birthday, and he had passed away, so I was kind of a link in the chain.”
Erskine’s desire to help everyone he can comes with a challenge: “You always want to please everybody, but sometimes you can’t,” he said.
For example, he said, sometimes residents ask the city to cut down what they presume to be a dying city-owned tree but, upon further inspection, it’s on the homeowner’s property.
“It’s hard for me to say, ‘I can’t help you,’ because I want to help everybody,” Erskine said.
In his retirement, Erskine said he plans to spend more time with his wife and kids but will pursue some sort of part-time work.
“I think I’ve probably met every person that lives in this city over the years,” he said. “Working here; it’s just been incredible … You touch so many lives.”
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