Working at International Paper and being part of the community

A story by Gary Desjardens from 1965-2017

Gary Desjardins talked about his four decades at International Paper and his commitment to the Special Olympics after his retirement. Recorded in September, 2017.

I'm a fourth generation paper maker, and started working for International Paper when I graduated from high school in 1965. I worked there 43.8 years until I retired in 2009. The Livermore Falls area was booming in the 1960s. Even though the economy has changed, this is one of the most generous communities in the state, everybody takes care of each other.

After I retired in 2009, I started volunteering for the Special Olympics of America, and am passionate about working for them.