This year's Windjammer Days Street Parade Grand Marshal is one of the best known and loved people in Boothbay Harbor.

Mac Andrews, 84, is the former owner of what is now Good 'N You, at 92 Townsend Avenue. Before he sold the full service station, it was Andrew's Gulf, or “Mac's,” for 37 years. And after he sold it he immediately went to work for the new owners.

When Ronnie Babcock and Stephanie Hawke and her husband Andy bought the business from Mac in 2006, he continued doing what he'd been doing for so many years. The Hawkes sold out to Babcock in 2008, and Mac is still there, pumping gas, washing windshields and greeting everyone who pulls in with his warm smile — and handing out biscuits to the dogs.

Mac was working at the station for the previous manager even before he bought it in 1972. It was run by Earland “Peanut” Lewis, who had taken over as manager for a Caslo (Standard Oil) franchise in 1952. Later it became a Gulf franchise. Mac worked there, and at Ned's Garage, where Herringbone's is now, on Pier One, then at a Mobil Station where First National Bank is now, and put in a year or so at Wiscasset Fuel before buying the business from Peanut in 1972.

Before becoming a business owner, Mac served three years as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army. He made 27 jumps. “We had to make five jumps — four daytime and one nighttime one — to get our wings,” he said. “After that we had to make a jump every three months.” He said the first time he had to jump out of a plane he was a little nervous, but he came to love it. Most of the time. “One time they put us a little off the jump area,” he said. “I came down and landed in a thorny bush.”

Hawke, a parade committee member, said it was an easy decision to make Mac the Grand Marshal.

“After Arthur Webster was chosen as the Grand Marshal last year, everybody immediately started thinking about the next year. We just started tossing names out of people who have been part of Boothbay's history — and you've got Mac. When he was suggested it was beyond unanimous. They may have even clapped.”

Hawke said she's known Mac for a long time. “I used to be a customer, and he was always a gentleman. Everybody who stopped by from here and away knew Mac. He always had a pocketful of dog biscuits. He has always been a big part of Boothbay Harbor. I pumped gas with Mac. He was my favorite person to work with, and he can outwork anybody.”

Barbara Rumsey had this to say of Mac in one of her 'Out of Our Past' stories in the Boothbay Register: “... I remember lots of favors — fixing flat tires on short notice, letting me park there for a few days when my car was sickly ... I'm sure if any number of people knew I was writing this article, they'd join me in thanking you for all you've done for us over the years!”

Mac doesn't really like attention. “He was a little gun shy about leading the parade,” Hawke said. “I told him we could try to get Miss Maine to ride with you and he said that would be fine with him.”

Mac said he's happy to ride in the car at the head of the parade and wave at people, but don't ask him to stand in front of a crowd and give a speech. “When I was in the Army I was asked to give a speech. I didn't have anything planned so I called in sick,” he said. “They sent me to the doctor, who gave me a shot — and there was nothing wrong with me,” he said with a laugh. “I don't like shots, but I'd take a shot any day before I'd stand up in front of a bunch of people and give a speech.”

Mac has been married to his wife, Pam for 48 years. Their family includes five children: Mike, Tim and his wife Deb, Dan and his wife Evelyn, Chad and his wife Sue, Kristin and her husband, Mark, and seven grandchildren.

Some of Mac's grandchildren offered reflections on their “Poppa.”

“Poppa is funny,” said Trace, 7 ½.

Aubrey, 7 ½ and Alexis, 11, love visiting their grandfather at Good 'N You's, and having sleepovers at Nanna and Poppa's. “Messes make Poppa grumpy,” Aubrey said. She said she likes going fishing with him, her uncle Dan and her father.

Asked what he likes to eat, Alexis said, "Definitely not fish! Nanna makes it too much. He'd rather have tacos."

“Poppa is kind to everyone, but especially to his dogs,” said Kali, 14. “Poppa always smiles and is happy about everything. He calls me "my Kali-girl."

Hunter, 17, said: “I love that I have worked with Poppa since I was 14 at the gas station. He is funny and kind.”

“I can only hope that I succeed in life like my grandfather,” Ryan Andrews said. “Whenever I see him he is always happy. One thing I admire about Grandpa is he will help anyone at any given time.”

And granddaughter Caitlin Hamner had this to say: “Grampa Mac has always kind of been my "Maine idol." I don't get to be around much, but when I think of visiting he's always one who sort of personifies it for me. I've always known him to be so hard-working and relaxed at the same time. It makes him very comforting to be around. He encapsulates the love that a true Mainer has for Maine. Even after serving his country, he returned home and became a cornerstone for the Boothbay Harbor community. I love him with all my heart and know he deserves this honor more than most.”

Mac and Pam have two Yorkies, Fin and Phoebe. True to form, Mac smiles warmly when he speaks of his dogs. “We call them Finn and Haddie,” he said. And Mac says he likes fish, just not every day. “My wife likes it more than I do. That's why we have it so often.”

When Mac isn’t working he can usually be found working in his yard, lobstering with his son, Dan, driving around town in his 1978 Lincoln Continental, or playing with Finn and Haddie.

At 84 years old, Mac has a warm smile for all, and he brings a smile to the face of everyone who has the good fortune to come into contact with him. And if anyone has a parachute, Mac would love to jump out of a plane again. “I'd probably be a little nervous, but I wouldn't be scared,” he said.