Senator Collins’ Statement on Passing of Maine Broadcasting Legend Dewey DeWitt

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins issued this statement on the passing of Dewey DeWitt:

“For more than 70 years, broadcasting legend Dewey DeWitt was the ‘Voice of Aroostook County.’  Like many others in Northern Maine, I grew up listening to Dewey.  From interviews with public officials to the daily news to high school basketball, he kept us informed.

“Indeed, the hallmark of Dewey’s career was his devotion to local sports, especially high school basketball.  It is estimated that Dewey called the play-by-play of more than 3,000 games over the years.

“Every sportscaster has that one indelible memory that stands alone.  For Dewey and me, it is a memory we shared with people throughout the region.  In 1969, when I was a student at Caribou High School, our boys’ basketball team won its first-ever state championship on a last-second shot by Mike Thurston from beyond midcourt.  I was at that exciting game, but it was Dewey’s voice that brought that thrilling moment to listeners across Maine. 

“Whenever I visited Houlton, I loved stopping in to see Dewey.  I will deeply miss these chats with my friend.”

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Mr. DeWitt first went on the air in 1950, the year a radio station began operations in Houlton.  When a television station began broadcasting from Presque Isle a few years later, Mr. DeWitt was the first person seen by viewers.

Mr. DeWitt’s work has been recognized by the Maine Sports Hall of Fame, the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame’s Legends of the Game, and the Maine Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

Click HERE to download a high-resolution photo of Senator Collins and Dewey