First National Bank recognized the late I.J. Pinkham’s legacy during the bank's Business After Hours event July 23. The Pinkham family received an engraved plaque and a $250 donation to the Boothbay Region Elementary School basketball team.  

“A person like I.J. (Pinkham) is once in a generation, once in a lifetime, for that matter, and we were just thrilled to be able to give some money to the basketball program, something that was near and dear to his heart,” said Tony McKim, president of First National Bank. 

BRHS boys varsity coach Dan Hallinan shared a few anecdotes about Pinkham as a person, teacher and coach. This included the time Pinkham picked up the 12-year-old Hallinan on the side of the road, after he decided to walk to the YMCA at 6 a.m. from a friend’s house. 

"Not one of my smartest decisions," he said.

Hallinan also spoke about how Pinkham cared for those in his math classes, making the subject one Hallinan looked forward to attending. As for coaching, Hallinan learned everything he knows from Pinkham and thinks fondly of Pinkham's subtle humor during their mostly silent car rides to away games.  

“I.J Pinkham was more than just titles. To me, I looked at him as family. I know how much his family loved him, and I can tell you that just shy of them, I am his biggest fan ... He impacted (my life) more than you'll ever know.”