Happy Birthday, Reggie Mawson
Happy Birthday, Reggie Mawson
Honoring a friendly face who helped shape the town by showing up and enjoying it!
For his upcoming 90th birthday (on March 20th), we at EllicottvilleNOW would like to recognize Reggie Mawson, a fellow who helped make and keep Ellicottville a fun and friendly place. Reggie and his wife, Cindy have been making the most of Ellicottville for decades, and played a part in helping to make it what it is today.
Reggie was born 1931 in the small town of Yorkshire, England. He experienced the 2nd World War from the fringes – after Poland was attacked in 1939, Polish airmen moved to a base not far from his home. His family had to build an underground bomb shelter, and for a brief time the population had to carry gas masks in case chemical weapons were released. (Fortunately none were dropped on England). Towards the end of the war, at the age of 13, Reggie started a printer apprenticeship for Alfred Cooke Unlimited as a compositer. In these times, blocks were arranged with different words or letters on the printing press. It was a careful and time consuming process, but much faster than handwriting copies. As he worked and learned, the tides of war turned. Reggie recalls a firm belief from the English citizens that “God would never let Germany defeat them.” With this resolute mentality, their swift and capable airforce, and the help of the collective Allied forces, the war was brought to an end.
After turning 18, Reggie served two years with the British Army. His technical skills and precision set him up as a mechanic for the coding machines made to send and receive secret messages. He was stationed in Khartoum, Sudhan, and got a taste of adventure living in a place so different from his home. When his term of service came to an end, he wrapped up his apprenticeship; Reggie found a family living in the United States who were willing to sponsor him for a move across the Atlantic. After working hard to meet a lot of requirements, he made the move to Niagara Falls in 1956. His printing skills landed him jobs for some local newspapers, where he worked until the jobs were automated. Around this time, Reggie started making regular ‘pilgrimages’ to Ellicottville for fun and a different flavor of life. He began skiing at our beloved Holiday Valley in 1962 … his first two ski lessons were taught by Edna Northrup and Pete Widger! (If you’re a local, you will likely admit – that sounds like a quintessential introduction to Skiing in Ellicottville!)
Reggie became a Holiday Valley Ski Patroller just four years after starting to ski. He held a position in that essential group for 22 years. He is also an honorary member of the Ellicottville Ski Club. Early on with small investments from himself, Ken Brown, and eight others that were or had turned 70, they started the ‘700 club’ which served food and drinks at the top of the hill for a great price. The money from this endeavor went to support local charities and non-profits. They provided money to the SPCA and to the Alley Katz (our town’s awesome gardening gals who volunteer their time to arrange and provide beautiful flower boxes and baskets around the village in the summer months). Reggie also became a realtor part-time, and through his connections at Holiday Valley and his time here, he was present and a part of Ellicottville’s shift from a lumber and industrial-centered town to the tourism-focused getaway it has become.
Reggie has lived in Kenmore, NY most of his life, but makes the journey to Ellicottville weekly with his wife for skiing, golfing, and to spend time with this community he grew to enjoy so much. He and Cindy wed in 1982 (no doubt that celebration was a blast!), and since 1986 they have owned a beautiful property just far enough outside the village to be quiet year-round, and just close enough to get in on the activities with no troubles. A real home away from home, as Ellicottville can be for so many.
Just in sharing a conversation with them, one can feel their genuine love and care for one another. Cindy and Reggie continue to visit and enjoy Ellicottville regularly. Although Reggie has hung up his ski boots, you can still find him enjoying the view from the Lodge. If you see the couple walking their big beautiful Alaskan Malamute, Leonard, around town and enjoying the day, give a wave or say hello!