By Will Tuell

From the sudden passing of Machias Town Manager Bill Kitchen on Sept. 9 to the loss of beloved family physician Dr. John Gaddis weeks later, Downeasters had a lot to grapple with in 2024.

Avowed environmental activist Nancy Oden passed away in May. Three Machias mainstays — former selectman and first responder Les Haynes; former Machias lawmaker, businessman, and philanthropist Ed Pellon; and former selectman Stephen “Smitty” Smith — died within two months of Kitchen.