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Stanley Brooks, 86, of Orland (Hardscrabble), died Nov. 13, 2000, at his home, surrounded by his loving family, after a long illness. He was born May 3, 1914, in Old Town, the son of Lindell and Matilda (Boudreau) Brooks. Upon graduating from high school in 1933, he enrolled with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as a laborer. In 1934, he moved to Bucksport and was hired by Maine Seaboard Paper Company (M.S.P. Co.), where he worked until the early 1940s. At that time, he moved to Portland and worked at the South Portland Shipyard until enlisting in the U.S. Navy. Upon receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to Bucksport to once again work at the mill (then St. Regis Paper Co.) where he performed a variety of jobs, the last being assistant paymaster until retiring in July, 1979. For more than 50 years, he was a member of Felicity Lodge No. 19, AF & AM, The American Legion, Post No. 0093, and The Castine Grange. In addition, he was a member of the Anah Temple Shrine. Although dedicated to his family and home, some of his happiest hours were spent hunting and fishing throughout Maine with close friends. He is survived by his wife, Wilma (Marks) Brooks of 62 years; two sons, Terry Brooks of Winthrop and Dan Brooks of Bangor; two granddaughters; two great-grandchildren; one sister, Ida Parks of St. Pauls, N.C.; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; five brothers, Everett, Arthur, Howard 'Bobby,' Claude and Charles; two sisters, Evelyn and Madelyn. He is also survived by a devoted niece, Maureen (Leach) Hawksley of Orland. Funeral services were held at Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home, Bucksport, Nov. 16, with Rev. Tracey Reeves of Orland United Methodist Church and Rev. Gertrude Stone, Chaplain of New Hope Hospice, officiating. Interment was in Oak Grove cemetery, Orland. Memorial donations may be made to New Hope Hospice, Inc., PO Box 757, Holden 04429 or to the Orland United Methodist Church, Orland 04472.
Robert W. Winslow Sr., 76, of Milbridge and Chokoloskee, Fla., died Nov. 10, 2000, at a Naples, Fla., hospital. He was born in Nobleboro, April 10, 1924, the son of Elmer and Lillian (Cunningham) Winslow. During World War II, he served in the Army in Patton's Army. He worked as a prison guard at the Maine State Prison in Thomaston for 22 years retiring as a captain in 1977. He was a member of the American Legion Post 8 of Cherryfield and a life member of the VFW Post 109 in Ellsworth. He is survived by his wife, Ivor Marie (Ray) Winslow of Milbridge; nine children, Robert Winslow Jr. of Steuben, Cynthia Chase of Milbridge, Nancy Grover of Cushing, Vida Kelley of Rockland, Virginia Cunningham of Nobleboro, Billy Winslow of Warren, Delores Grimes and Mary Demere both of Chokoloskee Island, Fla., and Julia Beal of Milbridge; many grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a grandson, James Robert Beal in 1999. Funeral services were held Nov. 16 at Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home, Milbridge. Memorial contributions to assist the family may be made to the funeral home at P.O. Box 445, Ellsworth 04605.
Dana G. Bolstad, 64, of Ellsworth and Prescott, Ariz., died Oct. 28, 2000, at her home in Prescott, Ariz.
She was the daughter of Daniel and Lucia (Stoddard) Cushman. A graveside service was held Nov. 12 in Whiting.
Gerard F. Babski Jr., of Blue Hill, died Nov. 12, 2000, at an Ellsworth hospital. He was born Jan. 22, 1941, in Huntington, N.Y., the son of Lydia C. (Nowick) and Gerard F. Babski Sr. He served as a military policeman in the U.S. Air Force for eight years and had a distinguished career with the California Highway Patrol. He moved to Blue Hill in 1985, where he worked with local ship builders. He had many friends and hobbies. He is survived by his mother, Lydia Babski of East Blue Hill; three children, Jeffrey Babski and Lisa Saunders, both of California and Linda Babski of Ellsworth; three grandchildren; two brothers, John C. Babski of Sangerville and Joseph D. Babski of Alaska; a dear friend, Judyth Herrick of Brooksville; three uncles, Peter Nowick and Theodore Nowick, both of Blue Hill and Walter Nowick of Surry; one aunt, Vera Severino of New York and special friend, Robert Taylor of Blue Hill. He was predeceased by a brother, Robert. Graveside services were held at Nov. 15 at Morgan Bay cemetery, Surry with the Rev. Leo James Michaud, officiating. If friends wish, they may make donations in his memory to the American Heart Association, Maine Affiliate, Inc., P.O. Box 346, Augusta 04332-0346.
Elizabeth A. Airth, 87, of Lamoine, wife of the late George W. Airth Sr., died Nov. 11, 2000, at an Ellsworth health care facility. She was born in Bayonne, N.J., Dec. 17, 1912, the daughter of James and Elizabeth Phillips. She is survived by a son, George W. Airth of Goshen, N.Y.; two granddaughters. She was predeceased by a sister, Margaret Knorr. Graveside services were held Nov. 14 at Riverside cemetery, Hancock. Arrangements are by Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home, Ellsworth.
Olive May 'Min' Strout, 83, of Milbridge, went to be with the Lord, Friday, Nov. 10, 2000, at an Ellsworth hospital. She was born in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, May 26, 1917, the daughter of Morris and Olive Griffin. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Cherryfield, having been a Sunday school teacher for many years, and was involved with the AWANA program at the church. She enjoyed playing the piano and the organ at the church and spending time with her church family. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Woodrow C. Strout of Milbridge; a sister-in-law, Madeline Phinney of Cherryfield; a dear friend, Alton Wallace of Milbridge; several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by a sister, Beatrice 'Bea' Rice; and a brother, Morris 'Monty' Griffin. Funeral services were held Nov. 13 at Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home, Main Street, Milbridge, with Pastor Shawn Quinlan officiating. Interment was at Evergreen cemetery, Milbridge. Gifts in her memory may be sent to the First Baptist Church of Cherryfield, Cherryfield 04622.
Phoebe Emma (Plummer) Cronkite, 90, of Belfast, died Nov. 10, 2000, at a local health care facility. She was born on Jan. 17, 1910, in Monroe, the daughter of William and Ada (Thompson) Plummer. She went to school in Monroe and, after raising her children, she worked for Truitt Brothers Shoe factory for 31 years. She was predeceased by her first husband, Oakes Gilmore, her second husband, Loomis Cronkite; two sisters, Doris Plummer and Georgia Purington; and a brother, Hilton Plummer. She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth 'Betty' Marshall of Swampscott, Mass.; two sons, Reginald Gilmore of Belfast and Sheldon Gilmore of Waterville; two sisters, Erna Gilmore of Belfast and Alma King of Ellsworth. She is also survived by three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held Nov. 13 at the Rackliffe Funeral Home, 54 Church St., Belfast, with the Rev. John Evans officiating. Those wishing to make memorial donations may do so to the charity of their choice.
Dorothy (Robertson) Chamberlain, 80, of East Hartford, Conn., and Blue Hill, passed away Nov. 7, 2000, at the Harrington Court Elder Care Facility in Colchester, Conn. She was the wife of the late George Ervin Chamberlain. Born in Blue Hill on July 20, 1920, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Jenny (Herrick) Robertson. She was a resident of East Hartford for 60 years and a member of the Wesley Memorial Methodist Church. She was also active in the East Hartford P.T.A. She worked at the Glastonbury Visiting Nurse Association for many years. Survivors include her three sons; Reginald Chamberlain of Bonita Springs, Fla., Bruce Chamberlain and Joel Chamberlain both of Hebron; a daughter, Cynthia Schlosser of Carlsbad, Calif.; a brother, Fernald Robertson of Blue Hill; she also leaves her loving grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Funeral services were held at the Blue Hill Baptist Church, Blue Hill, with Pastor Paul Comeau, officiating. Burial was at the Seaside cemetery in Blue Hill. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Blue Hill Volunteer Fire Department, Water Street, Blue Hill 04614 or Blue Hill Historical Society, Blue Hill 04614.
Dorothy L. 'Dot' DeWitt, of Clearwater, Fla., died Nov. 8, 2000, at Morton Plane Hospital. She was born in Worcester, Mass., and had moved to Clearwater from Old Town. She was a member of Old Town United Methodist Church and attended Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church in Clearwater. Locally, she was a member of the Road Runners Antique Car Club, Ft. Harrison, Questers and the Clearwater Community Women's Club. In Old Town she was a member of the United Methodist Women and the Omega Club. Mrs. DeWitt was predeceased by her son, Alan Leahy in 1998. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Kenneth; two sons, Richard Leahy of Old Town, James DeWitt of Ellsworth; four daughters, Joyce Smith of Forest Lake, Barbara DeCastro of Belleair, Fla., Betty Emery of Newburg and Deborah Hambright of Warsaw, Ind.; nine grandchildren and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held Nov. 10 at Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church in Clearwater. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Old Town United Methodist Church, 629 Stillwater Ave., Old Town 04468.
William 'Bill' Gordon Rayner, 53, Uxbridge, Mass., and Castine, died Nov. 8, 2000, in Bucksport. He was born Oct. 27, 1947, in Braintree, Mass., the son of Frederick E. and Ella L. (Blaisdell) Rayner Sr. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and his master's degree in social work at Framingham State College. He worked as a social worker at the department of social services in Massachusetts for 23 years, where he made an impact on many lives. He was an avid reader, particularly about history and World War II. He enjoyed watching athletics, collecting antiques and postcards. He loved Maine, where he had been finishing a new home in Castine. He is survived by his mother, Ella Rayner of Bucksport; one daughter, Leigh Meredith Thornhill of Worcester, Mass.; her mother, Jeanette Thornhill of Franklin, Mass.; two sisters, Barbara Wood of Northport, N.Y., Ruth Gomes of Bucksport; one brother, Frederick Rayner Jr. of Orland; seven nieces and nephews; his stepsons, Todd Palazini of Blackstone, Mass., Alan Palazini of Uxbridge, Mass.; his grandchildren, several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his father, Frederick E. Rayner Sr. A graveside memorial service was held Nov. 11 at Morgan Bay cemetery, Surry, with Rev. James Wood officiating. Donations in Bill's memory may be made to Hancock County Homecare Hospice, P.O. Box 156, Blue Hill 04614, or to St. Camillus Nursing Home, 447 Hill St., Whitinsville, MA 01588.
Captain Calvin 'Cal' Lawson, 75, of Stonington, died Nov. 12, 2000, at a Blue Hill hospital surrounded by his family. He was born Jan. 7, 1925, in Seal Cove, the son of Carl C. and Daisy M. (Stockbridge) Lawson. He served in the U.S. Naval Air Force from 1943 to 1946 as an Aviation Ordinance Man, Second Class.
Throughout his life he worked as a lobsterfisherman, seiner, scalloper, welder and stone cutter. For the last 12 years he was a captain and later manager of the Isle Au Haut Boat Company in Stonington. He was a member of Marine Lodge No. 122 in Deer Isle and American Legion Post No. 102 in Stonington. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Betty (Johnson) Lawson of Stonington; two sons, Kim Lawson of Stonington, Todd Lawson of Little Deer Isle; four daughters, Cindy Coombs of Stonington, Debby Oliver of Stonington, Sally Pierce of Nobleboro, Trudy Higgins of Penobscot; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Carl Lawson Jr. of Southwest Harbor and Benjamin Lawson of Pennsylvania; two sisters, Isabel Forand of New Bedford, Mass., and Helen Butler of Dexter; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends. He was predeceased by three sisters, Thelma Garzarelli, Wilhamine Butler and Dorothea Lawson. A celebration of his life will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home, Main Street, Stonington, with the Rev. Ted Hoskins officiating. Gifts in his memory may be sent to the Memorial Ambulance Corps, Deer Isle 04658.
James H. Young, 68, of Palmyra, died Nov. 11, 2000, at a veterans' hospital in Milwaukee, Wis. He was born in Bar Harbor, May 25, 1932, the son of the late Sherely and Ruth (Moon) Young. He graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1951.
He was a veteran of the Korean War. As owner of Ell Hill Grocery Store in Palmyra, Mr. Young made many friends with his humor and personality. He was also well known as Santa Claus at Christmas to many patients in local nursing homes, as well as all the in-patients at the Togus VA Medical Center. He spent many summers camping at the Sandy Beach campground in Madison, where his stories and jokes entertained many friends around campfires, square-dance weekends and gatherings. He was an outspoken and boisterous advocate for veterans' rights, often berating and monitoring both state and federal politicians.
He was a member of many veteran and fraternal organizations and Eucharistic minister for St. Agnes Catholic Church; received the 'Good Samaritan' Knight of the Year Award; Maine State Fourth Degree Council of the Knights of Columbus.
He is survived by his daughter, Juanita Spaulding of Pittsfield; two grandchildren; sisters, Jackie Albers of Hillsborough, N.H., Shirley Craig of Orono; brother, Albert Young of Hillsborough, N.H.; wife, Exerene Young of Palmyra; two sons, Kirk Young of Racine, Wis., Eric Young of Canaan; many, many, many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers and one grandson. Visiting hours will be held 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, at the Donald H. Shorey Funeral Home, Hartland Ave., Pittsfield. Funeral Mass will be held 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 17, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Pittsfield, with Fr. James Martel presiding. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Agnes Parochial School, Detroit Ave., Pittsfield 04967.
Harry C. Meserve, 86, died on Nov. 8, 2000, at Mount Desert Island Hospital in Bar Harbor. He was born in Rye, N.Y., the son of Harry C. Meserve and Bertha (Murkland) Meserve. He grew up living mostly in Weston, Mass.
He graduated from Phillips Academy Andover, from Haverford College, and from the Harvard Divinity School. He received an honorary degree from Meadville Theological School in 1955. He served Unitarian churches in Cohasset, Mass., Buffalo, N.Y., and San Francisco, before going to New York in 1957 as a member of the executive staff of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. In 1960 he became director of programs of the Academy of Religion and Mental Health in New York. He founded the academy's quarterly, Journal of Religion and Health, and was its editor until 1993. He also served as minister of the Unitarian Fellowship of Northern Westchester, N.Y., and from 1965 to 1974, as minister of the Grosse Pointe, Mich., Unitarian Church.
Throughout his life he was active on boards and committees related to civil liberties, race relations, mental health and peace. He was the author of Faith in the Making (1946), No Peace of Mind (1955), The Practical Meditator (1981), and About Community (1998). For the past 20 years, he also wrote a monthly newsletter, 'View from the Cove.'
In 1974 he and his wife settled in their home in Southwest Harbor. Until 1980 Dr. Meserve was part-time minister of the Unitarian Church of Ellsworth. He has been active in local affairs, on the Board of Trustees of the Southwest Harbor Public Library, the Town's Conservation Commission, its Comprehensive Plan Committee, and the Mount Desert Island Historical Society.
Dr. Meserve is survived by his wife, Kay (Mann) Meserve, and three sons: Harry C. Jr. of Felton, Calif., Peter L. of DeKalb, Ill., and David M. of Arcata, Calif.; and a step-daughter, Shayla Briner of Bisbee, Ariz.; as well as eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was predeceased by his daughter, Emily.
A memorial service will be held at a time and place to be announced later. Gifts in Dr. Meserve's memory may be sent to the Southwest Harbor Public Library.
Joan (Gordon) Mook, 72, of Franklin, formerly of Camden, died Nov. 6, 2000, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Bangor. Born in Eastbrook, June 9, 1928, she was the daughter of Edgar S. and Mildred F. (Butler) Gordon. She married
Sherwood A. Wiley on Dec. 23, 1946, in Camden. He died on Oct. 27, 1973. She later married
Herbert Mook, Oct. 16, 1976. He died in 1980.
In 1971, Mrs. Mook obtained her GED. For more than 25 years, she had been employed at School House Togs as a seamstress until her retirement in 1987. After her retirement, Mrs. Mook moved from Camden to Franklin. For many years, she was an active member of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. She enjoyed quilting, gardening and traveling. Surviving are two sons, Roger G. Wiley of Warren, Sherwood A. Wiley Jr. of Camden; a daughter, Nancy Weickert of Franklin; a stepson, David Mook of Saginaw, Mich.; four sisters, Margaret Nickerson of Holly Hill, Fla., Etta Achorn of Windsor, Janice Cook of Waltham, Kathleen Ginn of Eastbrook; several brothers including Edgar Gordon of Texas, David Gordon of Franklin, Jonathan Gordon of Bar Harbor, Ronald, Gilbert, Norman, James and Thomas Gordon; three grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren, five step-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by several brothers and sisters. Services and interment will be held in the spring at Oak Hill cemetery, Camden. The family suggest memorial donations be made to the Maine Cancer Research & Education Foundation, P.O. Box 553, DTS, Portland 04112 or the Autism Society of Maine, 693 Western Ave., Manchester 04351.
Alexander Ferguson, 96, of Gorham, formerly of Portland, a 'Credit Union Pioneer,' died Nov. 4, 2000, at a local nursing home. He was born in Bolton, England, the son of Alexander and Marion Holden Ferguson, where he attended school and worked in the coal mines before coming to the United States at age 19 through Ellis Island, N.Y. He then worked on various construction jobs along the East Coast; one of his jobs brought him to the Portland Maine Gas Plant, which he stayed with until his retirement in 1954. While working at the gas plant, he became involved in the credit union movement in 1942. He traveled throughout the state helping to organize credit unions in churches and businesses. He later became Portland Gas Credit Union's 43rd member, where he served as director and vice president and was appointed assistant treasurer in 1944, a position he held until he left the plant in 1959. In September 1945, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the Maine Credit Union League; and in September 1948, he was appointed assistant managing director. In 1950, he became managing director of the league on a part-time basis, where the league office was his home for 16 years. On May 1, 1959, Mr. Ferguson became the first full-time managing director of the league. After retiring from the Maine Credit Union League as managing director, he took over full-time operation of the Insurance Trust as its executive director. The trust continues to grow since that time with a full array of insurance services for its member credit unions. On Credit Union Day, Oct. 19, 1985, the credit union movement in Maine honored Mr. Ferguson with the unveiling of a sculpture of himself that is standing in the front of the Credit Union Center located in Westbrook. On the site of the nation's first credit union, which is located in Manchester, N.H., Mr. Ferguson will be honored by the establishment of a Learning Center and Museum. He had served on the boards of Portland Regional Credit Unions, was a member of the World Council of Credit Unions, and served on the Key Bank Board. He was a member of the Woodfords Club and was a member of the Masons. He was predeceased by his wife, Katherine Ferguson in 1986. He leaves a brother, Ernest Ferguson of Leominster, Mass.; a sister, Phyllis J. Tracy of Ellsworth; many nieces and nephews. There will be no visiting hours. A graveside service was scheduled to be held 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, at Brooklawn Memorial Park, 2002 Congress St., Portland, with the Rev. Janice Schuyler officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his memory may be made to the SMB Charitable Foundation, P.O. Box 1695, Manchester, NH 03105-1695. Arrangements are by Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St.
Henry S. Coyne, 80, of Brewer, husband of the late Edith I. (Emery) Coyne, died Nov. 4, 2000, at a Bangor health care center. He was born Dec. 1, 1919, in Brewer, the son of Patrick H. and Louise (Slager) Coyne. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in Europe with the Headquarters and Headquarters Comp., 112th Infantry at the Battle of the Bulge. He was employed for 21 years with the Eastern Corporation, Brewer, and was employed for more than 30 years at the Bangor School Department, working as head custodian of the Garland Street Middle School and later in the lunch program. He was also a longtime communicant of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Brewer. Surviving are four children, Ronald Coyne of Scottsdale, Ariz., Alta Clapper of Orland, Susan Hart of Bangor and Mary Kay Graves of Orrington; four grandchildren; one sister, Marie Arsenault of Bangor; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 52 years on Sept. 22, 1998. A Mass of Christian Burial was scheduled for Nov. 7 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Brewer, with the Rev. Joel Cyr, pastor, celebrant. Burial was at Woodlawn cemetery, Brewer.
Norman Hartford, 67, of Columbia Falls, passed away surrounded by his family, after a long battle with cancer, on Nov. 3, 2000, at a Machias health care facility. He was born in Columbia Falls, Oct. 30, 1933, the son of Frank and Bessie (Reed) Hartford. He attended Columbia Falls schools, and was a woodsman and truck driver, and worked with blueberries and wreaths for many years. Most recently, he was a volunteer driver for WHCA. 'Pud' and his wife, Marilyn, owned and operated P&M; Tours, busing to high stakes Beano games. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing Beano. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marilyn (Worcester) Hartford; three daughters, Sue Grant of Addison, Joyce Wood of Columbia Falls, Missy White of Columbia Falls; four sons, Bruce of Pensacola, Fla., Brian of Columbia Falls, Brent of Milbridge, Barry of Harrington; 19 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews; a sister, Kay Handy of Cherryfield; brothers, Jack of Ellsworth, Pete of Gouldsboro. He was predeceased by baby daughters, Stephanie Jo and Candice; and granddaughter, Ashley May. Graveside services were held Nov. 9 at Greenwood cemetery, Columbia Falls, with Pastor George Woodward officiating.
