Residents, Family, and Friends Turn Out To Salute Cameron Bain

As parades go, this one was modest, with no giant inflatable balloons or national television. But Sunday in Stoneham, residents turned out in impressive numbers for a parade with a purpose, to honor Cameron Bain for making the Tri-Community Greenway a reality.

Bain and his wife of 60 years Connie climbed aboard a pedicab outside the Boys and Girls Club and residents, from children on decorated bikes to politicians on mountain bikes, followed close behind. The parade stopped just short of Montvale Ave. where a ceremony was held to honor Bain for the 30-plus years he put in to turn the town's railroad right-of-way into a multi-use path for all.

"I'm so happy to see so many people that have worked along side of me on all this," said Bain, who singled out Anthony and Dolly Wilson for their part in getting the project to the finish line. "They did a great job of getting the last stage of this done. I appreciate their contributions so much."

As he spoke, the granite marker with his name was still on the ground. It was scheduled to be put in Friday but the snowstorm postponed that final step to Monday. The delay seemed almost appropriate for a process that started decades ago.

State Senator Jason Lewis joined in the parade and when he was elected 10 years ago he said the very first person he received a call from was Bain. At that time he said didn't know anything about the Greenway but Bain made sure that didn't last long.

"Despite every obstacle that we faced for 30 plus years, and many of you here know how many obstacles we faced along the way, Cameron never gave up," said Lewis. "He had a vision from the beginning and he fought and fought and fought, and worked and worked and worked and persuaded and persuaded and cajoled and twisted arms and did whatever was needed for 30-plus years."

Lewis brought with him a number of citations, including one from Governor Charlie Baker, and one that was a joint resolution from the Massachusetts House and Senate.

There was one Greenway decision made Sunday and it wasn't easy. The winner of the best decorated bike went to Claire Hill, who proved a cool bike beats a giant inflatable balloon any day.

Photos by Bob Holmes