AUGUSTA – Mickey Boutilier of Gorham was awarded the John F. Murphy Homes Inc. Lifetime Service Award at a ceremony at the State House.

He received a Sentiment from the Maine State House of Representatives for his lifelong service to people with mental retardation.

Boutilier founded the Special Olympics in Maine in 1969. He offered first-class facilities and opportunities for Maine athletes.

After the Pineland Consent Decree was settled, Boutilier became the first chairman of the Consumer Advisory Board and served in that capacity for 23 years. He was active in the audit process that confirmed the effort to bring about improvement in quality of life at the Pineland Center while it was open.

He worked to communicate the values of respect and dignity for the people who left Pineland and moved into community homes. His work continued in the oversight of the Community Consent Decree to assure the quality of life for the former residents of Pineland Center.

Boutilier continues to be a board volunteer correspondent. He also chaired the Maine Advisory Committee and served in that capacity for more than a decade.