A year ago, The Rev. Phil Shearman, of Gorham, displayed his Boston Post Cane. Shearman died Aug. 17, (File photo)

Gorham is seeking the next recipient for the Boston Post Cane following the town’s recent loss of The Rev. Phil Shearman, who died at 99.

“We have not had any nominations as of yet,” Town Clerk Laurie Nordfors said Aug. 25 in an email to Westbrook-Gorham Now.

Gorham in recent years has revived the  tradition of presenting a cane to its oldest citizen and is now actively searching.

The successful nominee must be a resident of the town for a minimum of the most recent 10-year period and be willing to accept the honor. Additional documentation might be required.

Nominations will be accepted through Sept. 30.

“They do not receive the actual cane, but instead get a replica and a plaque,” Nordfors said.  “The family gets to keep the replica cane after their death.”

Nordfors said Gorham purchased the replica through the town of Petersborough, New Hampshire, for $150.

The Boston Post Cane dates back to 1909 when the newspaper’s publisher, Edwin Grozier, sent canes to 700 New England towns. The originals were created from ebony shipped in from the Congo in Africa and the heads were of 14-carat gold.

Gorham’s original cane is displayed in a case at the Municipal Center, Nordfors said.

To nominate someone as a possible cane recipient, contact Nordfors by calling 222-1670.

The previous cane holder, Shearman, a former pastor at First Parish Church in Gorham, passed away on Aug. 17 at his home, according to his obituary.

Shearman, a World War II Navy veteran, also served as the chaplain for the Gorham Fire Department for many years.