8872-R1_MSA_October2024_Newsletter

A Tribute to Rick LeVasseur By Eileen Lafland

I n September the Katah din region, Jo-Mary Riders Snowmobile Club and the Maine snowmo biling community lost a very dedicated member. Rick LeVasseur passed away on September 15 th . Rick’s desire to make snowmobile trails and snowmobiling in his region was his passion from an early age.

placed along the trails. As was written in his trib ute, “Snowmobiling was a lifelong passion; it didn’t matter if it was grooming trails through the night or leading a group on a ride through those same trails he took such pride in maintaining.” His drive paid off in 2007 when he was named Maine Snowmobile Association Groomer of the Year at their annual banquet. Rick was also a mem ber of the Snowmobile Division Advisory Council

Rick

Rick grew up around snowmobiles and spent his childhood snowmobiling with his father. After Attending Maine Maritime Academy and working as an engineer on a gas carrier in the South China Seas he returned to the Katahdin region in 1990 and began his dedication to making snowmobiling in the region a destination place for people far and wide. Rick began with establishing Katahdin Shad ows Campground, and his desire for visitors and guests to enjoy the area grew from there. He and his wife Debbie and their children went on to build 5 Lakes Lodge on South Twin Lake and attract visi tors from all over. In 2000 he approached Scott Ramsay, then Dept. of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry snow mobile division supervisor, and the Maine Snow mobile Association and the Jo- Mary Snowmobile Club was formed and recognized as a MSA snow mobile club.Then the work really began as he along with club members, family and others established the Jo-Mary snowmobile trails. He was also instru mental in creating the Katahdin LoopTrail. Rick was president of the Jo-Mary Riders when he passed away. He was committed to making their trails the best around and was proud of making sure every one knew when they reached Jo-Mary trails. He along with the club set up an Adopt A Trail pro gram and displayed the adoptees names on signs

Rick at Lodge

and chaired it as well. When his term was complete, Rick continued to work to increase funds for snow mobile clubs. He also helped neighboring clubs get going and could be found out on the trails, brush ing, signing, grooming and whatever else it took to keep them flat and safe for snowmobilers. He would recommend to riders which trails would give them the best views of the area. He truly was a man who snowmobiling meant a great deal to and he devoted much of his life to the sport.

rick in groomer

His presence will be missed, but his spirit will live on within the Jo-Mary Snowmobile Club and their trail system. So, this winter when you are out riding those trails, stop, and take a minute to remember Rick.

Rick and Larry from paper pic

18

e r 2 0

b

c t o

2 4 l M a i n e S n o w m o b i

O

l e r