Peasley attends Schilling ALS benefit

By Ken Waltz
VillageSoup/Knox County Times News/Sports Director
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BOSTON, MASS. (Dec 23): Troy Peasley has a passion for sports and good causes. That is why the Owls Head resident does not hesitate to get involved, especially if it affords him an opportunity to get up close and personal with the professional athletes and media personalities he respects.



Peasley did that again on Dec. 12 when he attended a lunch with Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling at Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse in Boston. The luncheon benefited Curt's Pitch For ALS, Schilling's charity organization to find a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's Disease.



Troy Peasley, left, and Curt Schilling of the Boston Red Sox during a Dec. 12 luncheon at Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse in Boston. The event benefited Curt's Pitch For ALS, Schilling's charity organization to find a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's Disease. (Image courtesy of Troy Peasley)



John Dennis and Gerry Callahan of WEEI radio in Boston hosted the event. Much of WEEI's programming centers around the discussion of sports.

Peasley, a parking enforcement officer for the city of Rockland (he is affectionately referred to as "Ticket Troy"), often attends pro athletic events and functions that involve pro athletes. He said in his discussion with Schilling that the Sox right-handed hurler said the team most likely will trade for Minnesota Twins left-handed ace pitcher Johan Santana.

Schilling told Peasley that with Santana the Sox could win 120 games. "He also joked that [Schilling] may be the fifth 'spot starter' next season," Peasley said.

Schilling, who frequently offers his opinion on many subjects, from sports to politics and everything in between, on blogs and through the media, was asked by Peasley if he was interested in running for governor of Massachusetts in 2010. Schilling said he "wouldn't set his aspirations that low," said Peasley.

Schilling can be seen in television commercials advocating for John McCain as the next U.S. president.



Troy Peasley, middle, with John Dennis, left, and Gerry Callahan of WEEI radio in Boston. (Image courtesy of Troy Peasley)



Peasley said Dennis told him he once attended Outward Bound in Rockland.

Peasley has many local ties and interests. In fact, he was chosen to represent Maine in China in the final leg of the International Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics in Shanghai in September. In China, Peasley stayed for the opening ceremonies on Oct. 2. He then spent time on a sightseeing tour that took him to the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

Peasley, a 1987 Rockland District High School graduate, entered the U.S. Air Force that year. He worked as a military heavy equipment operator during his four years in the service and got out as a senior airman.

In 1993, Peasley earned an associate's degree in criminal justice at Southern Maine Technical College and two years later he joined the police department. After his first year as a police officer, he took the traffic officer job, which has him walking about 10 miles per day.


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