Key West City Manager Gregory Veliz. The retiring Lead Maintenance Worker Mark Bacon, and Mayor Teri Johnston.

Mark Bacon Retires After 27 Years of Service

After 27 years of dedicated service, Community Services Lead Maintenance Worker Mark Bacon is retiring. During Wednesday’s City Commission meeting, he was commended for the superior job he has done during those years.

Bacon began as a groundskeeper in 1994, was promoted to grounds supervisor, then promoted again to lead maintenance worker. He has been commended by the Key West Police Department for the pride he takes in his work and has received a commendation for the extra efforts he takes to maintain Mallory Square.

City Manager Gregory Veliz notes that, during Bacon’s 27 years, he has never received a single complaint.

“I beg to differ,” Veliz joked, “it seems every time we got a complaint about blowers in the parking garage or Mallory Square it’s been Mark. It just might not have had a name attached.”

Veliz commended him for constantly receiving high praise in his yearly evaluations and the fact that he was always on time, bringing with him a positive attitude and a willingness to help those around him, co-workers and citizens alike.

Waste Management Director Greg Sullivan noted that Mark was one of the first people he met when he arrived in Key West 26 years ago, and that he’s been “like family.

“He took care of Mallory Square as if it were his own,” said Sullivan, presenting Bacon with a scale model: “His very own garbage truck.”

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]