By KATY SAVAGE
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WINDSOR, Vt. — After 25 years on the job, Harry Ladue — the person credited with creating the Windsor Recreation Department — is retiring from his role as director at the end of this month.
Laude, 64, said he’s ready to retire, but that doing so won’t be easy.
“I like the interaction with people — the smile on people’s faces — the whole thing,” he said. “It was a great ride.”
Ladue, 64, grew up in Windsor. He was a triathlete at Windsor High School, playing football, basketball and baseball.
Sports were important to him while growing up, and they continued to be important to him as an adult.
When a former school building was going to be bulldozed in Windsor, Ladue helped found Friends of Windsor Recreation, which raised about $300,000 over four years to support the building and make it a recreation center.
Friends of Windsor Recreation sold pies, loaves of bread and held spaghetti suppers — just about whatever it took.
“We never thought it was work,” Ladue said.
Today, the recreation center sees 50-60 people a day. There are swimming lessons, programs for just about any sport, tennis courts and a weight room.
“It’s something I don’t think exists in other places,” said Windsor Town Manager Tom Marsh.
Those who know Ladue said his heart is what has made the recreation center such an important part of the community.
Ladue, who grew up modestly, gave free rides to children who couldn’t attend practices and lessons. He gave scholarships to those who couldn’t afford to pay for programs. Ladue made the recreation center available to anyone, even when that meant he had to work seven days a week.
“He’ll do anything for anybody,” said Lynn Grace, who was one of the people who encouraged Ladue’s efforts when the recreation center was first beginning.
About 50 people attended a recent retirement party for Ladue at the Elks Club Lodge in Windsor.
Dave Beaulieu has known Ladue since they were 10 years old. He said Ladue has always given to others without expecting anything in return.
“Every town has got one and he’s ours,” he said.
James Aldrich, 27, is taking over from Ladue as director of the recreation department at the end of this month.
Aldrich, a 2008 graduate of Windsor High School, grew up going to the recreation center every chance he had.
He walked there on snow days and started working at Windsor rec when he was 15 years old. He’s been there full time for three years.
Aldrich said Ladue has long been a mentor to him, teaching him life lessons about respecting others.
Aldrich plans to continue Ladue’s legacy.
“He cares about everybody,” Aldrich said. ‘He’s taught me to make the best for every single person.”
Ladue has coached basketball for 35 years and led Windsor’s varsity boys basketball team to win the Division III state championships in March. Ladue was also Aldrich’s basketball coach in high school where they won the state championships in 2008.
Though he’s retiring, Ladue said he plans to continue coaching and volunteering.
Ladue also plans to spend his retirement golfing and fishing.
Marsh said the recreation center wouldn’t be the same without Ladue, but that he is confident in the staff that will be taking it over.
“We’re passing the baton in a great way,” said Marsh.
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