Tony Goulette first walked through the doors of Wiscasset School Department in 1990. Tired of traveling construction jobs and working in the bitter Maine cold, he was looking for something different, a position with good benefits for his family, and an opportunity to do what he loved: carpentry and building repair. He found much more than a job. It became a calling that would span 36 years, touch countless lives, and leave an indelible mark on every building in the district.

Goulette had a complete workshop at the old Primary School, which was his domain, his sanctuary. The magic happened in that workshop. Bookshelves emerged from raw lumber, counters took shape under his skilled hands, and tables that would serve generations of students were assembled with precision and care. He didn't just build furniture; he built entire offices from the ground up.

Jim Riddle, the maintenance supervisor at the time, wanted Goulette to stay focused on carpentry and building repair, recognizing the exceptional talent before him. And Goulette delivered. Walk through any building in Wiscasset School Department, and you'll find his handiwork. Every office space, every piece of custom furniture, every carefully crafted detail bears his signature quality and attention to detail. When the Primary School was sold, he lost his beloved woodshop. But in true Tony Goulette fashion, he adapted without complaint. He converted a school bus into a mobile workshop and kept right on working. The job evolved, morphing into a unique combination of building repair, carpentry, snow removal and driving buses and vans. Where others might have seen obstacles, Goulette saw opportunities to serve.

Those who know Goulette describe him as one of a kind. Quiet, but never silent when wisdom is needed. Funny in that subtle, unexpected way that catches you off guard and makes the whole room lighter. He possesses that rare practical intelligence, and he can diagnose and fix anything. He makes it all seem easy, even when it's not.

His wonderful demeanor is legendary. Walk into a room where Goulette is working, and you'll see it immediately as faces light up, genuine smiles appear. As he puts it, "I love walking into a room where everyone is happy to see you!" That joy is mutual, built on 36 years of always lending a hand, always being the person who shows up when things go wrong and makes them right. His co/workers' affection manifested in perhaps the most perfect tribute: They painted one of his work vans with tiger stripes and christened it "Tony the Tiger." It was playful, yes, but it also captured something essential about Goulette: his strength, his reliability, his unique presence in the school community.

A typical day for Goulette begins with a quiet tour of the facilities, making repairs before students arrive and fixing what needs fixing, preventing problems before they start. He meets with building custodians to collaborate on needs, forming partnerships that keep everything running smoothly. In winter, there's snow removal. Every day brings the trash run. And then there are the bus and van routes, transporting students safely to and from school, activities, and events and the numerous details he attends to without batting an eye.

"Keep your eyes open and always stay aware so you can see something before it becomes a problem," Goulette advises. "I anticipate a complaint in advance." This proactive approach, this sixth sense for potential issues, has prevented countless problems over the decades. It's the kind of wisdom that can't be taught, only earned through years of careful attention and genuine care. The skills he's developed such as door hardware, HVAC systems, and bus driving, complement the carpentry expertise he brought with him. But perhaps the most important skill is simply knowing how to be present, how to show up day after day with consistency and excellence.

Thirty-six years in a school community means watching time unfold in unique ways. Goulette has seen former students grow up, return as parents, and bring their own children to the same buildings he maintains. He's worked alongside former students who became staff members. He's driven children who are now driving their own children.

The relationships formed over these decades have become lifelong friendships. Daily interactions with staff evolved into bonds that go beyond the workplace. When asked what he'll miss most about working at Wiscasset, his answer is simple and profound: "The people and the students."

Outside the school walls, his creative spirit continues to flourish. In his home workshop, he practices wood turning, carving, and furniture building. His artistic creations range from the practical, over-the-door boards, calendar holders, wooden bowls, and utensils, to the whimsical and fantastic. He carves animals and mythical creatures, bears that have found homes through Ames Supply. His most visible artistic legacy stands guard outside Wiscasset Middle High School: a wooden wolverine, carved by Goulette's hands, representing the school's spirit and pride. This creation should remain a permanent reminder of the man who gave so much to the institution.

Goulette's foundation is his family. Married to Debbie for 40 years, they've built a life rich with love and legacy. Their three children, Brandi, 45; Christopher, 41; and Heidi, 40, have given them six grandchildren. The Goulette household is never quiet, with two Sheltie dogs, goats, and chickens completing the menagerie.

It was for them, for young Brandi, Christopher, and Heidi, that Goulette took the job at Wiscasset in 1990. He needed benefits and insurance, stability and security. What he gave his family was so much more: a model of dedication, the value of showing up, the dignity of work done well, and the rewards of service to community.

As retirement approaches in June, Goulette looks forward to spending more time with Debbie, their children, and those precious grandchildren. There will be hours on his boat, feeling the Maine coast breeze. There will be mornings in his home workshop, where sawdust will fall and wood will take shape without deadlines or schedules. He'll create because he wants to, not because something needs fixing, though old habits die hard, and there's little doubt Goulette will remain the person everyone calls when something needs his special touch. 

For whoever steps into Goulette's converted-bus workshop and assumes his varied responsibilities, his advice is characteristically practical: "Be prepared for anything that may come up. Don't get involved with building 'politics.'" It's wisdom earned through 36 years of navigating the complex ecosystem of a school system, of understanding that the real work happens in the quiet moments, a door hinge oiled before it squeaks, a leak caught before it spreads, a kind word offered at exactly the right time.

Most people don't see what keeps a school running. They don't notice the early morning repairs, the snow cleared before dawn, the systems maintained so seamlessly that their operation seems effortless. They don't realize that the office they work in was built by hand, or that the safe bus ride their child takes was driven by someone who truly cares. Tony Goulette has been that invisible force for 36 years. One of a kind. Quiet, patient, funny, smart. The man who can fix anything and everything and makes it seem easy. The person with the wonderful demeanor who always lends a hand. He is our hero!

As the 2025-2026 school year draws to a close, Wiscasset School Department will bid farewell to more than a carpenter, more than a maintenance specialist, more than a bus driver. They'll say goodbye to an institution, a friend, a constant presence who helped build not just offices and furniture, but a community. The wooden wolverine outside the Middle High School will remain, standing watch. The offices throughout the district will continue to serve. The carefully crafted furniture will hold books and papers and the dreams of future students. And everyone who knew Tony Goulette will carry forward the memory of a man who showed up, day after day, year after year, making everything a little bit better simply by being there. 

Thank you, Tony. For 36 years of dedication. For every early morning, every fixed problem, every safe trip. For the craftsmanship, the care, and the quiet excellence. You made it all seem easy, but we know it wasn't. You just made it look that way because that's who you are.

Wiscasset School Department, and all of us, have been blessed to have you here.

Pictured are some of Tony’s creations from his personal collection!