Cush Anthony died at 5:30 am on August 12, 2026 with his wife, Maureen in the room.  He was a member of Durham Friends and previously at Portland Friends Meeting, as well as a former member of Allen Avenue UU Church.  He graduated from Amherst College in 1961 and received his J.D. from the University of Michigan in 1967.

Please keep Maureen and his children, Ellen and Tom, and their families in the Light.  He was a remarkable person and F/friend, and we remember him with love. 

Some snippets about Cushman Anthony from The Bangor Daily News. (We will update this with information from other sources soon.)

Cushman Anthony, a former Maine state legislator and longtime advocate for civil liberties, has often been recognized for his service to the state and its communities.

Recognition and Public Service

• Cushman Anthony was honored by the Maine Civil Liberties Union Foundation in 2011 with the Justice Louis Scolnik Award for his commitment to equality and justice, particularly for vulnerable populations.
• He served in the Maine House of Representatives from 1986 to 1992 and was the third president of the Maine Civil Liberties Union, where he championed issues like free speech and prisoners’ rights.

Legal and Community Work

• Anthony founded the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic, which continues to assist low-income individuals with legal matters in southern Maine courts.
• He also served as chairman of the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission, reflecting his dedication to tribal-state relations and equity.

Public Financing and Political Advocacy

• A strong supporter of Maine’s Clean Election system, Anthony emphasized its importance in leveling the political playing field for challengers and incumbents alike, urging legislative action to preserve its funding structure in 2011.