Miles MacMahon Keeps His Community Spirit Bright in Summit

For a little more than a half-century he's called Summit home. Miles MacMahon, 85, (pronounced "mac-man") has always been a proud booster and supporter of his city, from the time he was taking the 70 bus into Newark to work at Essex County College and delivering talks on nuclear energy. He's one of this year's recipients of the and he exudes like no one else in town. 

How long have you been living in Summit?

Fifty-two years. Since 1960. I've had eight kids graduate from Summit High School.

What do you like most about living in Summit?

I love to walk the city. Also, the . You feel as though you're part of a social organization. Since my wife died, the people around me never hesitated to help out.

Although you've been retired, you stay pretty busy, especially with the Senior Connections bus. What motivates you?

I wanted to try to establish ways of keeping the community together—build bonds. Build bonds of concern within the community, bonds of support. I'm especially concerned about isolated seniors. The people who can't get around, that's the mission of the senior bus. That's my challenge, to help them.

I see you at school board meetings. All of your children have long graduated, so what's the interest in education?

It's kind of like Hillary Clinton said. "It takes the City of Summit to raise a child." Working with kids is fullfilling in life. Before you pass on, you pass onwhat you've learned and lived through. 

You were in the Merchant Marine and a radio operator during World War II. Can you tell me a little bit about that?

I knew Morse code, that's how we communicated. It echos in my brain to this day, the tap-tap-tap of the key. I'm also on the advisory board for the Merchant Marine monument in Battery Park [New York City].