Edward Kilik, 101, is first to receive Grafton’s new Boston Post Cane

At 101, Edward Kilik is the oldest resident in the town of Grafton — and he has the Boston Post Cane to prove it.

Well, at least he got to hold it. What he does have is a lapel pin recognizing that he was awarded the cane, the first Grafton resident in years — no one knows how many — to have the designated honor.

Town Clerk Kandy Lavallee proposed reviving the tradition last year with a replica cane, which will be displayed in the Municipal Center alongside a plaque engraved with recipients’ names.

“Mr. Kilik is the first resident to receive the Cane under the revitalized program,” Lavallee said in a news release. “He was excited to receive the recognition, and the town is happy to have residents like Edward who continue to show pride in their town.”

The Boston Post Cane was established in 1909 as a publicity stunt by the Boston Post newspaper, according to the Boston Post Cane Information Center maintained by the Maynard Historical Society. The Board of Selectmen in about 700 New England towns were presented with the canes with the request that it be presented to the oldest male citizen of the town, to be used by him until his death or until he moved from the town. The cane would then be passed on to the next oldest man — or woman, due to a controversial 1930 change.

The head was engraved with the inscription “Presented by the Boston Post to the oldest citizen of (name of town)  — To Be Transmitted.”

Grafton isn’t the only town to lose track of its cane. They have turned up in attics and antique stores, just waiting for the day when someone recognized them for what they were.

Both Lavallee and Select Board Chair Colleen Roy presented the cane to Kilik on June 27.

Kilik was born on June 9, 1921, in Worcester and moved to Grafton at the age of 9, in 1930. He grew up on his family’s farm on Brigham Hill Road where he picked apples and milked dairy cows. He graduated from Grafton High School in 1939. Kilik enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and served honorably from May 1942 to September 1945. He was an engineer-mechanic and a tail gunner on a B-25 Liberator in the 57th Bomb Squad. He flew 66 combat missions over Southern France, Corsica, Algiers, and the Congo. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and holds his service record as a point of personal pride.

In 1945, Kilik returned to Grafton and began a 33-year career working for Coes Knife Co. in Worcester. He started his career as a machinist and retired in 1986 as a superintendent.

Today, he spends most of his time with his family: three daughters, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

“It was a unique and exciting experience to speak with Mr. Kilik,” Roy said. “I’m happy that we have people like Edward in our town, who can share stories of their exceptional lives, and the history of Grafton.”

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