In Memoriam
Toby Pennels, a 13-year member of the Sebago Lake Rotary Club, died Thursday morning, September 4th, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash in early August. Toby was a longtime Windham resident who served 11 years on the local school board, helped organize the Sebago Lake Rotary Club’s Ice Fishing Derby, and served two tours of duty in Iraq.
Toby was injured as he and friends were riding back from Rangeley. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Pennels was listed in critical condition at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston but never regained consciousness, and was later transferred to a hospice facility. He leaves his wife, Brenda, to whom he was married for 31 years, and three children, Taylor, Jordan and Shawn.
Pennels was well known in the Lakes Region, volunteering for several community organizations. He served as president of the Windham Veterans Association and was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts in Windham. He also served as chairman of the annual Sebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby, which is operated by the Sebago Lake Rotary Club.
Pennels attended Casco Junior High School, was a graduate of Windham High School and Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a degree in finance. He owned a financial management firm, Penn Investment Services.
Retired as an Army colonel after 30 years, Pennel’s military service consisted of six commands (including Brigade Command in Baghdad during the troop surge of 2007), three combat tours with 32 months in combat zones, and 35 awards and decorations including Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars and a combat action badge.
Toby will be greatly missed by his family and friends as well the Sebago Lake Rotary Club, his Rotary family. Calling hours are from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and a Memorial Service will follow at Windham High School on Saturday, September 20th.