Work ethic: from age 12 to 66 yrs old, Baker retires after 54 years!

Standing in front of a display of doughnuts and Danish pastry, baker Daryl Buck watched as a steady stream of holiday customers crowded Hillman’s Bakery.

The rush has become a familiar sight to him over the years. As Christmas approaches, the crowds grow steadily, peaking on Christmas Eve, when people wind out the door.

“For so long, I’ve associated the holidays with my time here,” he said.

This year was Buck’s last year preparing for the holiday rush. Buck, who worked on and off at the bakery for more than 50 years, retired Christmas Eve. He and his wife will soon move to Florida.

“I’m having a hard time finally being retired,” said Buck, of Waterville, after finishing his second to-the-last shift at Hillman’s. “Since I was 12 years old, this has been a big part of my identity.”

[link to www.centralmaine.com]