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Amedeo Miniutti Jr.
BIDDEFORD - Amedeo "Jack" Miniutti Jr., 80, of Westmore Avenue died Aug. 24, 2004 at Southridge Living Center following a long illness.
He was born May 22, 1924 in South Berwick, a son of Amedeo and Mary (Reid) Miniutti and graduated from North Berwick High School in 1941, where he was a three-sport star in football, baseball and skiing.
He moved to Biddeford in 1946, after serving in the U.S. Air Force for three years and with tours of duty in both Guam and Iwo Jima. He was a member of the 55th Long Range Reconnaissance Squadron which flew missions over Japan.
He met Catherine Neary on Valentine's Day in 1946 and they were married on Oct. 19, 1946.
He had been employed at the New England Telephone Company for 43 years, retiring as supervisor in 1983.
His energy and commitment to his community were limitless. He was a founding member and first president of the West Biddeford Little League, a past president of the Holy Name Society of St. Mary's Church, past president of the Western Maine Board of Basketball Officials, and director for 10 years of the Telephone Workers Credit Union of Maine. He was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers, St. Joseph's Credit Union, Dutch Elm Golf Club, Maine and New England Societies for Development of Solar Energy and Biddeford's K-8 School Evaluation Committee. He was past president of St. Louis Alumni Association, a member of the Biddeford Athletic Association and received an appreciation award for volunteer work to restore Waterhouse Field. He was one of the first members of the Parks and Recreation Commission and served for two years on the Downtown Revitalization Commission.
He was an avid golfer and served on the Tri-City Golf Tournament Committee; he was also a basketball official, baseball star and supporter of his children's and grandchildren's sports activities. He loved gardening and reading and had been politically active as a former city councilman and mayoral candidate.
He was predeceased by a brother, Edward and by a sister, Jane Miniutti.
Surviving are his wife Catherine Miniutti of Biddeford; five sons, Patrick Miniutti and his wife Aline of Biddeford, Mike Miniutti and his wife Teri of Minnetonka, Minn., Bill Miniutti of Biddeford,
John Miniutti and his wife Michelle of Holly Springs, N.C., and Dave Miniutti and his wife Michelle of Roswell, Ga.; five daughters, Peggy Wilson and her husband Don of Biddeford, Kathy Rhodes of Dallas, Texas, Mary Fleurant and her husband Don of Arundel, Janie Miniutti and her husband Steve Hayes of Arundel and Carol Miniutti of Decatur, Ga.; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one sister, Celia Mantis of Biddeford; many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday at St. Mary's Church in Biddeford. Burial was in St. Mary's cemetery in Biddeford. Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford.
Memorial donations may be made to the Jack Miniutti Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Biddeford High School, 23 Maplewood Ave., Biddeford, ME 04005.
John Staff
WELLS - John Michael "Pappy" Staff, 63, of Whistle Stop Circle, Wells, formerly of North Reading, Mass., died unexpectedly Aug. 26, 2004 in his home.
He was born on April 28, 1941 in Boston, Mass., a son of John L. and Gertrude F. (Gill) Staff and graduated from North Reading High School in North Reading, Mass.
He was a bricklayer for many years. He and his wife moved to Wells in 2002.
He enjoyed his family, golfing, fishing, crossword puzzles, vacations, and puttering. He would often be found at Mike's Clam Shack challenging someone to a game of cribbage.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Carol (Narekiewicz) Staff of Wells; two sons, John M. Staff Jr. and Michael and his wife Angela Staff, both of Haverhill, Mass.; two daughters, Cheryl Staff of Wells, and Laurie and her husband Richard Kelly of Scarborough; two brothers, Larry Staff of North Reading and Paul Staff of Brooksville, Fla.; and five grandchildren, Tyler, Patrick, Mathew, Lauren and Carly.
Funeral Mass was held Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Eldredge Road, Wells, with the Rev. Fathers Joseph Ford and Jim Morrison celebrating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wells High School Athletics Department, PO Box 579, Wells, ME 04090 in his memory. Acknowledgments of sympathy may be sent to Carol in care of our address or web site.
Arrangements by the Bibber Memorial Chapel, 111 Chapel Road, PO Box 910, Wells, ME 04090.
Thomas Vail
KENNEBUNK - Thomas E. Vail died August 29, at his Kennebunk home in the company of his loving family following a brief illness. He was born in Burlington, Vt. on March 9, 1919 the son of H. Jackson Vail and Hallie (Brownell) Vail.
He graduated from Falmouth High School, the class of '38 where he met the woman with whom he would later share 61 years of devoted marriage, the former Elizabeth (Betty) Stuart. He was a standout athlete in high school and college, regarded as one of the best basketball players in the state. He attended Gorham Normal School for three years before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1941. He was commissioned as an officer and became a bombardier on B-17s. He flew 50 missions out of North Africa, bombing targets in North Africa, Italy, Sicily and Sardinia. He returned to the states in 1943 as a decorated combat veteran, married his high school sweetheart and completed his final year at Gorham earning a BS degree in education. In later years, he went on to earn his master's degree in education from the same institution.
He moved with his family to Kennebunk in 1946 where he began a 30-year career as a teacher, coach, and school administrator in the Kennebunk and then Scarborough school systems. Many in the area still remember him as their coach of the high school girls' basketball or boys' baseball and basketball teams. He taught industrial arts in Kennebunk High School and he was also the driver ed teacher for many of the area's young drivers. He was the first principal of the Kennebunk Junior High School and later served as the principal of the Scarborough Junior High before retiring in 1975. For the next 10 years he worked at the Kennebunk Nursing Home where he made many friends and enriched the lives of the residents with his caring and thoughtful presence.
He served on the Kennebunk School Board and maintained a strong commitment to both education and athletics in the town's schools. He was a driving force in the town to build and enhance the Veteran's Memorial Field complex. This passion was driven by his respect for the young men of Kennebunk who had given their lives in the service of this country and his love for sports.
The term "citizen soldier" clearly applies to him. He was devoted to his country. He not only served with distinction during World War II but continued to serve as an officer in the Maine National Guard, retiring as captain with more than 20 years service in 1979. He proudly marched in the Memorial Day Parade in Kennebunk for many years.
He was an athlete throughout his life, he took a great deal of pride in maintaining his own physical fitness and being able to compete in athletics. He played tennis well into his 85th year, playing the game weekly with a group of close friends. He participated in the Maine Senior Games several times, winning gold medals in tennis.
He had a great appreciation and love for the outdoors and he passed on this interest to his children and grandchildren. Whether it was hunting, fishing, bird watching or just simply enjoying the outdoor experience, he loved to share his knowledge and encourage their curiosity and enjoyment.
He and his three brothers, Jack, Bob and Ted were remarkably close friends and very devoted to each other and their families. All four brothers were educators and successful coaches in Maine and northern New England. Perhaps most notable was the fact that all four brothers served in World War II, and survived to become part of what has become known as the "Greatest Generation." The Vail brothers traveled to Washington, D.C. this year for the dedication ceremony of the World War II Memorial, a remarkable trip by this Band of Brothers in which the family will always take pride.
He was a member of the Casco Lodge A.F.&A.M., Retired Officers Association of Maine, Webber-Lefebvre Post 74 American Legion, National Retired Teachers Association, The Sportsman's Alliance of Maine and the National Rifle Association. He was a 50-year member of the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Kennebunk.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; three children, Bill Vail, Andy Vail, and Wendy Vail Reagan; six grandchildren, Sarah Wessels, Thomas L. Vail, Tadd Vail, Thomas J. Vail, Chad and Stuart Shriner; three great-grandchildren, Abbie and Billy Wessels and Audrey Vail; four nieces; and four nephews.
Additionally, he is survived by his brothers, Jackson B. Vail of Cumberland Center, Robert B. Vail of Auburn, and H. Theodore Vail of Falmouth as well as his very special sister-in-law, Barbara Post of Portland.
The funeral service will be held today at 2 p.m. at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 114 Main St., Kennebunk. Interment will be in Hope Cemetery, Kennebunk.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kennebunk High School Athletics, 89 Fletcher St., Kennebunk, ME 04043 for the purpose of maintenance and care of Veterans Memorial Field in his memory.
Arrangements by Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk, ME 04043.
Aaron Murray
KITTERY - Aaron Bruce Murray, 42, of Gray Lodge Road in Kittery, died on Aug. 12, 2004 at Portsmouth Regional Hospital.
He was born on July 25, 1962 in York, the son of Roland A. and Frances A. (Bailey) Murray. He attended schools in Kittery, graduating from R.W. Traip Academy with the class of 1980, where he was active in the sports program, playing football all four years and playing as the varsity quarterback his senior year.
He enjoyed a career as a sales representative for a number of companies including Nike, Stahmer-Weston in Portsmouth and most recently PC Connection in Dover. His outgoing personality and skill as a sales representative earned a number of awards for his achievements and respect from his coworkers.
An avid sports fan he enjoyed his collection of sports memorabilia including items signed by Michael Jordan and others.
He enjoyed drawing, poetry and worked hard to increase awareness and work with the handicapped. He was a member of a bowling league at Bowl-USA in Newington for a time. He recently became a member of the church he grew up in and attended as a child, the First Congregational Church at Kittery Point.
He is survived by his loving family; his parents Roland A. and Frances A. (Bailey) Murray of Kittery; one sister, Deborah J. Drew and her husband Stephen of Kittery; two brothers, Samuel J. Murray and his wife Linda of South Berwick, and Daniel L. Murray and his wife Katherine of Charlotte, N.C.; nine nieces and nephews, Ashley, Andrew, Brandon, Jessica, Joshua, Katie, Matthew, Daniel Jr., and Billy; and his beloved Maltese dog Halo.
A funeral was held on Tuesday at his church, the First Congregational Church at Kittery Point.
Family flowers only; donations may be made in his memory to Alpha One, 127 Main St., So. Portland, ME 04106.
Arrangements are entrusted to the J.S. Pelkey Funeral Home of Kittery.
Harold Shuffleburg
KENNEBUNK - Harold Elmer Shuffleburg, 67, of Old Port Road, Kennebunk died Aug. 14, 2004 at his home in Kennebunk.
He was born on March 29, 1937 in Biddeford, the son of Harold and Bessie (Jackson) Shuffleburg. He graduated from Kennebunk High School and married his dear wife Maxine several years later in June of 1956.
He worked at a number of different occupations through his lifetime. He worked at General Electric for 15 years and also as a bus driver for SAD 71 for 20 years. In addition he mowed lawns, plowed driveways, built homes, and worked for Dresser Marsh. He also started and ran Shuffleburg Transportation Services for 10 years.
He was also involved with the Kennebunk Fire Department, Arundel Fire Department, State Federation of Fire Fighting, KEMS, Masons - Arundel Lodge, Shrine, and the Monkey Towners Bowling League.
He enjoyed his family, especially his grandchildren, hunting and fishing.
He was predeceased by his son Timothy J. Shuffleburg.
He is survived by his wife Maxine; two daughters, Karen Paro and Beverly Raymond, both of Kennebunk; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A funeral service was held at the Bibber Memorial Chapel, Kennebunk on Wednesday with Pastor Janet Leighninger presiding. Burial will follow at Hope cemetery in Kennebunk today at 11 a.m.
Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made in his name to the Kennebunk Fire Rescue, 1 Summer St., Kennebunk, ME 04043.
Arrangements by Bibber Memorial Chapel, Kennebunk.
Norma Stevens
NORTH BERWICK - Norma E. Stevens, 84, of Elm Street, passed away Aug. 16, 2004 at the Dover Rehabilitation Center in Dover, N.H.
She was the only child of Verdie W. and Edith (Knight) Joy, born at home on Jan. 17, 1920. She graduated from North Berwick High School.
She enjoyed reading and traveling and spending time at their cottage at the beach. She especially loved raising her family.
She was pre-deceased by three sons, Alan J. Stevens, Wayne B. Stevens, and George H. Stevens Jr., a granddaughter, Nicole Dube and a son-in-law, Ray Dube Sr.
Surviving are her husband of 64 years, George Homer Stevens Sr., one daughter, Elaine Dube, two daughters-in-law, Ute Stevens and Evelyn Stevens, all of North Berwick; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
At her request, there will be no calling hours. Graveside services for the family only will be held in the Woodlawn cemetery in South Berwick.
Friends who wish may contribute to the Maine Parkinsons Society, 100 Route 1, Unit 106, Scarborough, ME 04074-9308.
Arrangements by the Johnson Funeral Home, North Berwick.
Gertrude O'Sullivan
KITTERY - Gertrude F. O'Sullivan, 86, formerly of Idlewood Lane in Kittery, died Aug. 13, 2004 at The Greenwood Center in Sanford, following a period of failing health.
Born on March 10, 1918, she was a daughter of Clarence Earl and Mary E. (Sterling) Chick. She attended local schools graduating from R.W. Traip Academy with the class of 1935.
In 1938 she married her loving husband of 55 years, Kenneth E. O'Sullivan who predeceased her in 1993. Together they made their home and raised a family in Kittery, where she was active in the Parent Teacher Association at Wentworth Dennett School while her children were growing up, she enjoyed her time spent with the Girl Scouts and was an active volunteer in her church, St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Kittery, especially enjoying her time spent on the fish chowder committee.
She and her husband enjoyed being active in the community, as her husband was the fire chief they spent time traveling to the fire chief's conventions and other travel for business and pleasure. They seldom missed an opportunity together with friends dancing at the "Last Saturday of the Month" dance gang, who met for a long time every month to enjoy an evening of dancing and fellowship. Later in life she also enjoyed volunteering at Portsmouth Hospital in the cafeteria.
After retirement she and her husband made their home in Eliot for many years, before she returned to Kittery.
She is survived by her loving family, who will miss her dearly; they include her children, one daughter, Janet and her husband Courtney Haggett of South Berwick; one son, Bradley K. and his wife Janice O'Sullivan of Rochester, N.H.; four sisters, Mildred E. Stebbins of Exeter, N.H., Grace Anna Cobb of Hampton, N.H., Priscilla "Mickey" and her husband Earl Cobb of Kittery, and Jean and her husband Robert Emery of Kittery Point; one sister-in-law, Sandra Brewster Chick; five grandchildren, Cheryl Averill, Donna Razin, Kevin O'Sullivan, Candace Flanders, and Christian Haggett; eight great-grandchildren, Ricky, Caitlin, Jenna, Amanda, Kalleigh, Daniel, Andrew, and Michaela.
She was predeceased by her husband, and three brothers, C. Earl Chick, Alfred Chick, and Kenneth Chick.
A funeral was held on Wednesday at the J.S. Pelkey Funeral Home, Kittery.
Family flowers only, donations may be made in honor of two of her grandchildren to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 500 Forrest Ave., Suite 6, Portland, ME 04101 or to the Epilepsy Foundation (Juvenile Research), 4351 Garden City Dr., Landover, MD 20785.
Arrangements are entrusted to the J.S. Pelkey Funeral Home of Kittery.
Victor Bragg
ROCHESTER, N.H. - Victor M. Bragg, 49, Harley rider, a resident of Rochester, N.H. died Aug. 8, 2004 at the Wentworth-Douglas Hospital in Dover after a long illness.
He was born in Augusta on Feb. 2, 1955, a son of Gordon S. and Joan R. (Bitting) Bragg and graduated from Monmouth Academy with the class of 1973.
He was employed by the Ralston Purina Company of Missouri as special account manager for more than 20 years.
He was a member of the Club Victorie of Rochester, H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) of United States of America and also member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie 1887 of Somersworth, N.H.
He loved to scuba dive and ride his Harley Davidson.
He is survived by his wife Stephanie (Caswell) Bragg of Rochester, N.H.; his parents of Monmouth, Maine; two daughters, Jamie Jones of Caribou, and Shana Bragg of Augusta; one brother, Stephen Bragg of California City, Calif.; one sister, Joan Desmond of Monmouth, Maine; four grandchildren, Calah, Kyle, Ezra and Emma; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held Friday at the Laing-Bibber Funeral Chapel, Berwick with the Rev. Bruce Brown officiating.
Funeral service was held Saturday at the United Church of Monmouth, Monmouth, Maine with the Rev. Russell Chase and Rev. Ron Moody officiating. Burial will be in East Monmouth Cemetery.
Should friends desire memorial donations may be made to the Brain Injury Association of NH, 109 North St., Concord, NH 03301 in his memory.
Arrangements by the Laing-Bibber Funeral Chapel, Berwick.
Carlton Hutchins
ELIOT - Carlton E. Hutchins, 84, of Wood Avenue in Eliot died on Aug. 13, 2004 at York Hospital, following a period of failing health.
Born in York on June 19, 1920, he was a son of Frank E. and Emma S. (Thompson) Hutchins, and he attended local schools graduating from York High School with the class of 1939.
He served his country as a member of the United State Army, serving during World War II. He served in the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded a purple heart.
He married his loving wife of more than 55 years, Thelma (Huntress) Hutchins. They have made their home and raised their family on Wood Avenue in Eliot, for more than 50 years.
He was trained as an apprentice and worked as a machinist in Shop 31 at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard until his retirement after 33 years in 1976.
He was active in fraternal affairs, he was a member of Naval Lodge 184 Masonic Lodge of Kittery, Knights Templar, the Shriners, and Sara Orne Jewitt Chapter 176 Order of the Eastern Star of South Berwick.
An active and proud veteran, he served as a charter member of Eliot American Legion Post 188, where he served several terms as post commander and other positions. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 4 of Newington, N.H. He was also an active member of his church, the South Eliot Advent Christian Church and was a recipient of the Fabayan Drake Citizen of the year award in Eliot in 1986.
He is survived by his loving family; his wife Thelma (Huntress) Hutchins; two daughters, Roberta and her husband Jeffrey Cutting of Eliot, and Carol Huchins of Portland; two sisters, Dorothy Adams of Leesburg, Fla., and Kay and her husband William Kunkle of Kittery; and five grandchildren, Erick and Heidi Swanson, and Melissa, Kristine, and Julie Cutting.
He was predeceased by four brothers and three sisters.
A funeral was held on Monday at the J.S. Pelkey Funeral Home, Kittery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114.
Arrangements are entrusted to the J.S. Pelkey Funeral Home of Kittery.
