Dear City Team,
As many of you are aware, the body of the paddle-boarder who went missing on Graham Lake was recovered over the weekend and has been identified as Grayson Mote.
Any tragedy in our community is deeply felt, but this loss is especially close to home for many of us. Grayson’s parents are both former members of the Ellsworth City team, and many employees across the organization know and care deeply for the Mote family. There are no adequate words for the loss of a child, and I know many of you are grieving not only as public servants, but as friends, neighbors, former colleagues, and members of a close community.
The funeral service for Grayson will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Ellsworth High School. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grayson Mote Scholarship Fund: Superintendent’s Office – 11 Avery Lane Ellsworth, ME 04605.
In addition, a community fundraiser to support the family will be held at Helen’s Restaurant on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 from 4:30–6:30 p.m. The event will include a benefit spaghetti dinner and silent auction. Those wishing to donate items for the silent auction may do so through Machias Savings Bank by dropping donations off at the Ellsworth Police Department.
I also want to express my gratitude to our Fire and Police departments, the Maine Warden Service, and all others in our community who responded during this incredibly difficult situation. The work they have carried out over the past week is something most people outside of public safety and military service will never fully understand. Ellsworth is fortunate to have such dedicated professionals serving this city every hour of every day. This tragedy comes as Maine’s Public Safety community is also mourning the recent loss of a firefighter in Searsmont, another painful reminder of the extraordinary burden these men and women carry in service to others.
Please also remember that none of you must carry this alone. If you need support, please reach out to HR, your department head, a trusted colleague, or another member of this City team. Though I know that for many of us, some of the most important support will come from our own peer groups, families, and friendships within the city, and we are fortunate to have a team with so much care for one another.
My deepest condolences are with the Mote family. I am grateful to all of you for the compassion you have already shown, and for the support I know you will continue to offer to a family that has served and meant so much to the City of Ellsworth.
With deep sadness,
Charlie
