- Residents of Portland, Maine, are continuing to live up to the legacy of the city’s popular Valentine’s Day Bandit after his death last spring.
- For more than 40 years, Kevin Fuhrman, who lives in neighboring Falmouth, always led a group of pranksters in the early hours of Valentine’s Day.
- On Wednesday, hundreds of red hearts appeared in storefronts, mailboxes and even trash cans across the city.
After Portland’s beloved Valentine’s Day thief died last spring, people are wondering if the mysterious phenomenon of red hearts appearing around Maine’s largest city will continue. There was also His admirers responded heartily.
On Wednesday, giant banners on DiMiro’s floating restaurant and construction scaffolding in the Old Port braved strong winds to reveal hundreds of red hearts on storefronts, mailboxes and even trash cans. Another heart was on display at the Portland Public Library.
“Long live the Valentine’s Day Bandit,” said Cary Tyson, executive director of Portland Downtown.
Portland, Maine ‘Valentine’s Day Robber’ identified after death at 67
For more than 40 years, Kevin Fuhrman, from neighboring Falmouth, has led a group of pranksters who usually play pranks in the early morning hours of February 14th. His identity was not revealed until his death in April at the age of 67.
Valentine’s Day hearts decorate a storefront on Exchange Street in Portland, Maine on February 14, 2024. The public has been helping to remember Kevin Fuhrman, the Valentine’s Day thief who secretly hung hundreds of red paper hearts around town every February 14th. Fuhrman passed away last year. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bucati)
The supporting cast changed, but the one thing that remained constant was Fuhrman.
“It wasn’t for recognition, it was completely selfless, and it felt so magical,” said his daughter Sierra, who found beauty in the “simplicity and sincerity” of his gesture.・Mr. Furman said.
After his death, a foundation was established and the website BeAKevin.com was launched. On the website, you can download and print a simple red heart to become a thief.
The roots of this tradition go back to the 1970s, when Furman moved to the city. His daughter said he loved red hearts, but was disappointed when they stopped. So he decided to take it upon himself in his 1979.
A bright Valentine’s Day to all the sick children in the hospital and those who deserve special love
Fuhrman was a musician, photographer, and artist, among other things. He once played in a band called Van Gogh Goth, and displayed humor in the band’s slogan, “Give me your ear.”
“He was a very funny, kind and generous person,” his daughter said. “He was caring and funny and to some extent flawed, but people loved his eccentricity.”
So funny and frivolous that Thief’s Wife Patti Urban called herself the Valentine’s Day Widow. According to her, her husband was always exhausted from late-night shenanigans and couldn’t enjoy the day.
But Sierra said her father always made sure to decorate the house with hearts and usually had a basket of goodies for her. This is the same as other families receiving visits from the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, and Santa Claus. It wasn’t until she started school that she learned that others didn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day with the same enthusiasm, she said.
