Stephen Joseph Longley (1957-2013), born in Lewiston, was known throughout the Appalachian Trail hiking community by his trail name, “The Ferryman,” for twenty years, from 1987 to 2007. He operated the Appalachian Trail Conference’s Kennebec River Ferry Service where the Appalachian Trail crosses the Kennebec River in Caratunk, one of the most formidable and treacherous, un-bridged crossings along the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. He transported over 19,000 hikers safely across the Kennebec’s swift, powerful current “without a scratch.” On his retirement in 2007, he was named “Partner of the Year” by the Maine and New England Appalachian Trail Clubs in honor of his faithful service to trail hikers.
Steve Longley “Ferryman” (2007)
A Registered Maine Guide and Wilderness First Responder, Longley was known as much for his quick wit as his intense love and loyalty to his large extended family and hundreds of close friends.
Mark Simpson, then president of the Maine Appalachian Trial Club described him in Downeast Magazine: “Most (trail) hikers know Steve Longley simply as ‘The Ferryman’… But they all know him. His identity has become blended with the Appalachian Trail and the river. The whole shebang know him. Steve’s a typical Maine guy. He’s very laid back, easy to get to know, but he truly cares about the trail and its community, and he takes his job extremely seriously. . . .”
Steve Longley spoke often about the inspiration given to him by his father, the late Maine Governor James B. Longley, who occupied the office as an Independent from 1974 to 1978. “He proved you could be the underdog and win. I model myself after my father.” said Steve. In explaining his work ethic, Steve recalled his father and said, “There’s no substitute for hard work. I may not be a governor or senator, but I’ll be the best ferryman I can be.” Steve summarized his philosophy in the Downeast article when he said, “I took the road less traveled, and now my road has become more popular, so maybe I should look for a different road… I’m not going to be The Ferryman forever. When I move on, all that matters is [that] I left this place in a little better shape than I found it.”
Source: “In Memory of Stephen J Longley, June 22, 1957 – March 2, 2013.” [obituary] http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Stephen-Longley&lc=1627&pid=163472563&mid=5447210 (accessed March 5, 2013) [condensed and edited]