Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Spring 2017 | Page 22

School Sweethearts
The Verrills lived on Cousins Island for thirty years and
built a summer cottage on Damariscotta Lake, which David
designed. David chaired the board of the Knox County General
Hospital and was an overseer of Bowdoin College where he
was elected Emeritus. During the 1980s, as Chairman of
the Maine Chamber of Commerce, he was part of the state
trade commission that accompanied Governor Brennan to
the United Kingdom. The Verrills and their extended family
(pictured below) continue to gather during the summer at
Higgins Beach.
STORY & PHOTO P.20 BY EMMA DEANS
FAMILY PHOTO COURTESY OF THE VERRILLS
David was voted Squarest in
the school yearbook, which
meant “Best All-Around Guy.”
Anna was voted Most Popular,
Best Natured, and Wittiest.
David Verrill ’46 and Anna (Kosta) Verrill ’46
When David Verrill ’46 and Anna
(Kosta) Verrill ’46 share the details of
their story the words effortlessly form
a conversational cadence that can only
come with 68 years of marriage.
What are their secrets to happiness for
such a long partnership? “We laugh a
lot,” says David. “It really is good for
the soul,” says Anna. “We respect each
other. We’re polite,” continues David.
“I say ‘Thank you’ to him; he opens the
door for me,” adds Anna.
Their lifetime of love began at
Thornton Academy. Anna explains,
“Jane Walker [’47] was the most
beautiful girl and she was dating
Wally Nutting [’46]. Jane and I were
decorating the gym for