After eight years of keeping the Upper Valley’s shoes looking their best, the "Shoeshine Guy" is retiring. For much of that time, the retired attorney set up during springs and summers in front of Hanover Park, polishing shoes, meeting people... and donating all the proceeds to charity. He was displaced by construction, then by the pandemic (he did pickup service), and then spent the past spring in Lebanon.

“I had a memorable range of experiences,” he tells Daybreak. “Like the many successful businessmen with their expensive shoes and big tips who didn't recognize me from when we’d worked together on business deals. Or the many women who had their boots shined for the first time at my rig. One very enthusiastic young woman filmed it, with non-stop commentary, and then posted it all on Facebook. Or the two women whom I found most inspiring…. The first told me that she wanted her shoes shined for the first time because she’d heard I gave all the money to the Haven—where she had safely escaped years before with her baby from a difficult and dangerous home situation. Or the other, who had her very scuffed-up work boots shined, also for the very first time. I told her the shine wouldn't last for more than 3 or 4 months. ‘That's okay,’ she said. ‘My doctor just told me yesterday I won't either. I have pancreatic cancer.’”

Now, he says, “I think it’s time to pass this tradition on to someone else.” And what is there to pass on? Why, a well-used, well-loved shoeshine rig carrying all that emotional history. Let’s let him take it from here:

The Shoeshine Guy may be retiring, but he hopes his tradition of shining shoes and giving the proceeds to charity will continue. He is eager to give his shine rig, photo below, to anyone who wants to carry on by shining shoes and donating the money to a worthy cause of his/her choice. The rig was solidly made by Trumbull-Nelson of quartersawn oak and is easily moveable because of its large wheels. It has compartments for all shoe shine accoutrements, including cleaner, polish and rags. If you like shining shoes, having great conversations, and giving money to charity, contact the Shoeshine Guy at [email protected].