Gary and Christina Mahaney lost their son and their home in one day in July. Their family and friends can only give them back the home.

A benefit walk planned in Biddeford on Saturday aims to raise money for the family of 5-year-old Liam Mahaney, who was killed when a logging truck overturned near his house in Jackman, sending logs through rooms on the first floor.

The walk will start at 9 a.m. at the J.R. Martin Community Center at 189 Alfred St. in Biddeford and end at 77 Prospect St. with a get-together and barbecue.

Liam was a spirited little boy, said his uncle, Brian Fleurant of Biddeford, who is helping to organize the event. “We want to keep that memory intact.”

He said Liam loved Buzz Lightyear, a space ranger action figure in the “Toy Story” movies.

‘To infinity and beyond,’” Fleurant said, quoting the character’s popular phrase. “That kind of sums it up with that little kid. It just tears us apart.”

Advertisement

Since the crash, the Jackman and Biddeford communities have been raising money for the Mahaney family. A benefit barbecue Aug. 30 in the parking lot of the Mountain Country Supermarket in Jackman, in northern Somerset County, drew about 250 people, said Alan Duplessis, a Jackman resident.

An all-day musical event, “Rock for Liam,” is scheduled Sept. 17, at Champions Sports Bar in Biddeford.

“I think it’s an awesome thing — everyone pulling together from both ends of the state to help them out financially,” Fleurant said.

On July 19, a logging truck driven by Christian Cloutier of Quebec crashed through two telephone poles and flipped over next to the Mahaney family’s house on Main Street in Jackman. Cloutier told police that he had fallen asleep. Police continue to investigate.

The logs crashed through the first floor of the home and killed Liam, who was sleeping on a couch. The house was subsequently torn down.

Liam would have started kindergarten this week.

Advertisement

Gary and Christina Mahaney “lost everything, and it’s going to leave an emotional scar for eternity,” Fleurant said.

People have been donating to various funds for the family, including www.gofundme.com, which has raised more than $1,000 toward an ambitious goal of $5,000.

Morning Sentinel Staff Writer Erin Rhoda can be contacted at 612-2368 or at:

erhoda@centralmaine.com

 


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.