Laura Honey understands service in the hospitality industry. This woman redefined, and epitomized, the word “service.” Why is this statement in the past tense? Because Laura “Mrs. H(ospitality)” Honey is retiring from Fisherman's Wharf Inn after 50 seasons.

Honey has talked about it for a few years, and came close last year, but decided she just wasn't ready. This past April, after she “added up all the zeros” on her birthday, she knew it was time to move on.

A self-professed “people person,” all of her life, the inimitable Mrs. H says she will miss the people — visitors and co-workers — the most when she closes the inn’s door behind her on Nov. 1.

“I just enjoy the people and the kids,” Honey said. “I love the hospitality business, it's very unique. Everyone has to pitch in. I've always felt the kids and adults worked with me, not for me. I have never asked them to do anything I wouldn't do myself.”

Honey has more fond memories of those kids than she can count.

“I have kids here now whose grandparents were here when I first came to work part time in 1965. I've made some great friendships here. I enjoy seeing those kids as adults years later and sometimes training their kids,” Honey said.

Dining room staffer M.J. has been at Fisherman’s Wharf Inn for two summers. She actually started tearing up when she spoke about Honey.

“It's a pleasure working with her. A week doesn't go by when someone doesn't come in and ask if Laura is still here.”

Former staff members aren't the only ones who return to the Wharf and reconnect with Honey — many of her brides and grooms do as well.

Fisherman's Wharf Inn has been a location for weddings and/or rehearsal dinners for 27 years, beginning with Honey's daughter, Jayne, and John Sullivan.

Connecting with people is, without a doubt, something that Honey does extremely well.

Joan Drappeau has worked several seasons in the dining room at “The Wharf.”

“Mrs. H always steps in when the dining room is busy; she's always there to help,” Drappeau said. “She's an awesome, one of a kind lady. Her attention to detail is just perfect, especially when it comes to the weddings. A friend of mine got married here about a month ago and said Laura was 'such a pleasure work with.'”

Honey has observed changes in the tourism industry during her years at the inn. One of the most significant changes in the business was packaging and creating itineraries for guests before their arrival.

People, she observed, are much busier than they were decades ago. They no longer had the time to pour over region guides and make reservations for activities. Honey would spend as much time as was necessary working with them, essentially as a vacation planner, setting up golf tee times, suggesting packages that might include the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens or whale watches.

Time wasn't the only thing customers lacked, money was the other.

“People don't have the disposable income they used to have,” Honey said. "In a community such as we have here, we have a 17-mile driveway from Route 1 to downtown, it shouldn't matter where the customer stays, shops, eats ... We (business owners) have to be cognizant of the fact that they are here because they want to be here; they don't just drive by and stop. I like to think that our community shows all of our visitors what New England hospitality is.”

Honey's commitment to making visitors feel welcome and appreciated has been acknowledged by her peers within the tourism industry.

The Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce honored her in 1993, the Maine Innkeepers Association's Community Service Award in 2003, the Governor’s Conference on Tourism Food Service Award in 2005, The Maine Innkeeper's Association Innkeeper of the Year in 2008, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Maine Restaurant Association, and in 2014, Honey was the recipient of the Maine Tourism Association's Hall of Fame Award for her outstanding leadership in the tourism industry.

In Boothbay Harbor, the Rotary bestowed its Lifetime Achievement Award to Honey.

“It’s very humbling, very humbling,” Honey said. “I'm just doing my job and having a great time doing it. It's nice to be appreciated by your peers; it's really something special when your peers think you're doing a good job.”

Bonnie Stover, general manager at the Tugboat Inn for 36 years, said Honey is a “known and respected fixture in the hospitality business.”

“Laura has employed generations of kids. So many of them have looked up to and loved 'Mrs. H.' She's trained them and sent them off to college," Stover said. “Laura has received so many honors from tourism groups; she has certainly made her mark on the industry — locally and around the state.”

Honey's “mark on the industry,” has indeed extended beyond the footprint of Fisherman's Wharf.

She is a past chairman of the board of the Maine Restaurant Association, and its first woman chair; Honey also served on the boards of the New England Inns and Resorts Association and Maine Merchants Workman's Compensation.

Locally, she served on the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, twice as president; on the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor board, and was a trustee of St. Andrews Hospital and director of St. Andrews Home Health Group.

In 2007, Honey was asked to be grand marshal in the Windjammer Days Street Parade. The experience is still one she describes as a “real highlight” of her life.

The energetic Honey started out as a part time employee at Fisherman's Wharf in 1965.

In 1982 she was promoted to assistant manager and manager in 1988. Three years ago she stepped down as manager, and put on an exclusive hat, that of manager of special events and functions. But she still comes in to work most every day.

Peter Daigle, COO of Lafayette Hotels, which purchased Fisherman's Wharf in 2012, met Honey through the Maine Innkeepers and Restuarant Association.

"I can't get over her spirit. She's unbelievable," Daigle said. "Laura is absolutely the best and has a great connection with the community. We'll miss her."

Fisherman's Wharf will close for the season on Oct. 14. Honey chose the November retirement date to stay on and help wrap things up at the inn — one last time.

Longtime Fisherman’s Wharf Inn bartender Bonnie Arsenault said she's really happy for Honey.

“I think it's wonderful for Laura. She's a great lady to work with and for.”

Honey, who “hates making friends with her vacuum cleaner” has a few plans for the next six months.

The farthest she plans to travel in the immediate future is Aruba early next year, but says the Grand Canyon is on her bucket list. More day trips with her close friend Nancy Case (Louise to Honey's Thelma), kicking back with a book, visiting with family and just plain relaxing.

Laura and husband, Ken, will celebrate 60 years of marriage in early October.

Ken Honey, a former Maine representative and Lincoln County Commissioner, has endured health issues for many years now, and Laura plans to stay close by.

Their children, Jennifer, Jayne and Scott, and their families, are all in favor of their mom/grandmother's retirement — as long as she stays busy.

A retirement party, given by Honey's family, will be held on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 3 p.m.. at the Rocktide Inn at 35 Atlantic Avenue, with a cash bar, to celebrate her career and cheer her on as she prepares to leave Fisherman's Wharf and open a new door to possibilities.

Honey spelled out her hospitality industry philosophy years ago, and it's one that she maintains “holds true”:

S — Smile. Even on the phone, smile while you are talking

E — Enthusiasm. Be enthusiastic about what you are doing

R — Respect. Respect your customer treat them as you would like to be treated

V — Value. Value your time with the customer; make it a good experience

I — Integrity. Be honest and upright in your dealings with others

C — Courtesy. Be courteous, kind and listen

E — Enjoy what you are doing. It shows