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Russell E. Copp
WATERVILLE — Russell E. Copp, 77, of Patricia Avenue, died suddenly Tuesday, May 15, 2001, at his residence.
He was born in Milford, Jan. 24, 1924, the son of Harold H. and Ruth (Cousins) Copp.
Mr. Copp was a World War II veteran who served as a paratrooper. He received a medal for the Battle of the Bulge and a Purple Heart.
There will be no funeral service at this time. Burial will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.
Arrangements are by Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville.
Charles N. Adams
FARMINGTON — Charles N. Adams, 83, of Wilton, died Friday morning, June 1, 2001, at Franklin Memorial Hospital, Farmington, following a long illness.
He was born in Dryden, May 26, 1918, the son of Harold Legroo and Hester (Gilman) Adams Sr., graduated from Wilton Academy, class of 1936, and attended the University of Idaho, at Moscow.
On Oct. 5, 1946, he married Eleanor M. Callahan, in Wilton. She predeceased him Dec. 22, 1991.
Mr. Adams worked for G.H. Bass Co. from 1946 until his retirement in 1980.
He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the Army for 4 1/2 years, including 2 1/2 years in the China-Burma-India Theater. For part of his hitch, he was a bugler.
Mr. Adams was a life member of Hosmer-Edwards American Legion Post, in Wilton. He was very proud of his military service and often spoke of his many adventures and experiences while serving in India.
He was an avid newspaper reader, always watched the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. news, and was fond of discussing politics. He always had books and magazines, particularly those devoted to news and history, in his home.
Mr. Adams also loved music, all kinds of music, as well as parades and marching bands. He played the trumpet in the Wilton Academy Band. He particularly liked Glenn Miller and the big band sound, Sousa marches, classical music, as well as many other types. He encouraged his love of history and music in his children and grandchildren.
He was predeceased by a sister, Virginia A. Curtiss, and a brother, Harold L. Adams Jr.
Mr. Adams is survived by three daughters, Eileen M. Adams, and her husband, Frank Maccarrone, of Wilton, Elizabeth A. Demers, and her husband, Marvin, of Chester, Va., and Hester E. Mayo, of St. Petersburg, Fla.; one son, Charles G. Adams, and his wife, Debbbie, of Bethel; six grandchildren, Jason Adams, Jennifer Clark, and her husband, Michael, Timothy Adams, Matthew Adams, Katrina Scott and Lee Demers; two stepgrandchildren, Blaise and Paul Maccarrone; and three great-grandchildren, Ashley Demers, Sabien Demers and Nathan Clark.
Family and friends are invited to call from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 3, at Wiles Funeral Home, 136 High St., Wilton, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 4, 2001. Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Wilton.
Gifts may be given in his memory, to Wilton Free Public Library, P.O. Box 454, Wilton 04294. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Bert G. Clifford
UNITY — Bert G. Clifford, of Unity, and Marco Island, Fla., passed away Friday, Aug. 10, 2001, following a recent illness. His wife, Coral, and family were at his bedside at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.
A nationally recognized telephone industry pioneer and Maine philanthropist, Bert Clifford, was born in 1920. A 1938 graduate of Unity High School and the Kennebec School of Commerce, Mr. Clifford held two honorary doctoral degrees from Maine institutions of higher education. A Doctor of Public Service Degree was awarded by Unity College in 1991 and a Doctor of Science in Business was conferred in 2001 by Thomas College.
Early Career As Farmer, Postal Carrier and School Bus Driver.
From 1938 to 1942, Mr. Clifford farmed with his father in Unity and worked for the Maine Central Railroad. In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served until 1945 aboard the USS Intrepid in the Pacific. While on leave from the Navy in July 1943, Mr. Clifford married Coral Berkeley from Bridgeport, Conn. (whom he had met at a local dance at the Windemere Hall in Unity). Following his discharge from the service, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford returned to the family dairy farm on the Albion Road in Unity and became the parents of three children, Coral-Jeanne (CJ), Gregory and Shirley.
Until 1964, Mr. Clifford raised a prized herd of registered Holstein dairy cattle. During that period, he also served as a postal carrier and school bus driver in Unity. In 1960, Mr. Clifford was appointed chairman of the Maine Agriculture Stabilization Conservation State Committee by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Orville Freeman. He held that post for five years, resigning to become Unity's postmaster. In 1977, Mr. Clifford retired from the U.S. Post Office with a record of 30 years of professional service.
Telephone Industry Pioneer.
Mr. Clifford began his career in the telephone industry in 1962 when he and Coral began acquiring stock in the Unity Telephone Co. In 1963, after securing majority shareholder control, Mr. Clifford became president and general manager of Unity's local, independent telephone company. Under Mr. Clifford's leadership, the Unity Telephone Co. became Maine's first small, independent telephone company to receive permission from the Rural Electrification Administration to perform its own outside construction and the first such company in all of New England to have a fully digital central office network.
In 1988, Mr. Clifford established UNICEL, a subsidiary company to provide cellular service (Unity Cellular Systems Inc. d/b/a UNICEL) to several Maine communities. Mr. Clifford's son-in-law, Maurice (Rick) O'Connor leads the highly successful cellular company in Bangor. Mr. Clifford's contributions to the rapidly emerging telephone industry included leadership roles as president of TAM (Telephone Association of Maine) and president of TANE (Telephone Association of New England). In 1996, Mr. Clifford became one of a select group of telephone industry pioneers inducted by his peers into the TANE Hall of Fame.
Founded in 1902 providing local service to just seven subscribers between Unity and Dixmont Corners, the Unity Telephone Co. —now known as UNITEL — became a leading independent telecommunications company now serving more than 5,400 customers in all or part of 11 towns in Waldo, Penobscot and Kennebec counties. As chairman of UNITEL, Mr. Clifford directed its impressive growth into an array of telecommunications services and products that includes local service and access to long distance, voice mail, data circuits, Internet access, paging and cellular services.
In 1995, Mr. Clifford demonstrated his commitment to rural revitalization in the town by constructing a substantial red brick business complex along Main Street. The architecturally striking Clifford Common is home to Bangor Savings Bank, the local post office, the Unity Town Office, Revolution Networks and several small business enterprises.
Mr. Clifford's numerous contributions to private enterprise in Maine have been recognized by the "Blue Chip Enterprise Initiative Award" presented by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 1996, the Unity Rotary Community Service Award in 1993, receiving the Paul Harris Fellow Award and the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce's highest distinction, the "Community Service Award" in 2001.
Civic Leadership.
In the mid-1960s, Mr. Clifford was joined by nine community leaders in Unity who shared his belief that young people from Maine with academic potential deserved a chance for higher education. The dream of Mr. Clifford and his nine other visionaries was the incorporation of an independent higher educational institution: Unity College. Mr. Clifford served as the founding chairman of the Board of Trustees in the mid-1960s and again in the early 1990s.
In 1975, Mr. Clifford became one of the founders of Unity Leisure Homes — the first elderly residential complex in the town of Unity. He was also instrumental in bringing MOFGA (Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association) to its present location near Unity where more than 50,000 visitors come each autumn to learn the best practices of sustainable agriculture. In the 1990s, Mr. Clifford undertook the challenge of revitalizing the Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad and train station that runs between Unity, Burnham Junction and Belfast. More than 16,000 visitors ride the privately owned "Spirit of Unity" train annually.
Another civic project spearheaded by the Cliffords is the "Field of Dreams." Constructed in 1995, the "Field of Dreams" outdoor athletic complex provides free public access to regulation baseball fields, softball fields, soccer fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, playground, outdoor exercise equipment, walking paths and concession booth situated overlooking picturesque Unity Pond.
In December 2000, the Cliffords treated hundreds of townspeople to the Big Band extravaganza that showcased their newest cultural and architectural gift to the town — the Unity Centre for the Performing Arts. The wholly renovated 19th century barn and farmhouse features theatre seating for 200 for live stage performances, lobby, three galleries for artwork exhibitions plus kitchen space and dinner seating for up to 175 people downstairs.
Mr. Clifford's record of voluntary civic service included the Board of Directors of the Maine Community Foundation, American Legion, the Anah Shrine Temple and Unity Star in West Lodge No. 85. A one-time town selectman in Unity, he was honored for his contributions in the Town Report. A lifelong member of the Unity Union Church on Depot Street, Mr. Clifford was a member of its Administrative Counsel and Finance Committee.
Philanthropist.
Mr. Clifford and his beloved wife, Coral, quietly and generously supported communities, families, scholars and numerous organizations throughout Maine. They formed the Clifford Charitable Foundation to build and perpetually maintain the "Field of Dreams" —a community treasure that welcomes all to enjoy its free facilities. The Clifford Charitable Foundation also supports the recently opened Whistlestop Museum & Antique Soda Fountain across from the train station. The historic museum preserves and exhibits mechanical music machines, telephones, town artifacts and railroad memorabilia.
In 2000, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford formed the Unity Foundation and recently completed construction on the two-story Georgian-style brick headquarters building which includes staff offices, a free grants library and a management training center on Main Street. As one of Maine's foremost grant makers, the Unity Foundation operates according to the business principles of venture philanthropy and awards partnership funding in the nonprofit fields of education, community and economic development, the environment, at-risk youth as well as arts, culture and recreation. Beneficiaries of the more than 40 grants awarded in the Foundation's first year are the Good Will-Hinckley School for Boys and Girls, Unity College and the Four Square Foundation. Mr. Clifford was selected to receive the Good Will-Hinckley Humanitarian Award for 2001 for his exceptional and enduring service to at-risk youth.
Family and Business Man.
Bert G. Clifford was the son of Bert W. Clifford and Mamie Izora Grant Clifford. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Coral Berkeley Clifford; two daughters, Shirley Clifford of Hampden and Coral-Jeanne Clifford O'Connor (and her husband, Rick) of Bangor; two sisters, Marguerite Basford of Benton and Arlene Clifford of Falmouth; one daughter-in-law, Mary Clifford of Unity. In 1995, he was preceded in death by his his son, Gregory Clifford. Mr. and Mrs. Bert G. Clifford have six grandchildren, Cullen Oxton of Portland, Bert D. Clifford and Victoria Clifford of Panama City, Fla., Allison Morrill and her husband, Gregory, of Merrimack, N.H., George O'Connor and his wife, Michelle, of Belmont, Mass., Leslie Clifford of Bel Air, Md., and Patricia O'Connor of Bangor.
Great-grandchildren of the Cliffords are Alexis and Nicholas Clifford of Panama City, Fla., and Maxwell Morrill of Merrimack, N.H.
Mr. Clifford will be sorely missed by the employees of his many private and nonprofit enterprises including UNITEL, UNITEK, UNICEL, Clifford Enterprises, NECAP/Revolution Networks, Northeast Paging, the Belfast Moosehead Lake Railroad, the Clifford Charitable Foundation and the Unity Foundation. All of Mr. Clifford's primary business enterprises were headquartered or had substantial operations in his hometown of Unity.
Visitation and Contributions.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, at the Unity Centre for the Performing Arts. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 13, at the Centre for the Performing Arts. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Unity Foundation at 230 Main St. in Unity ME 04988. Gifts, which are tax-deductible, will be directed toward the maintenance and perpetual care of the "Field of Dreams"—the free admission outdoor athletic complex and public park on Route 202 by Unity Pond given to the town of Unity by Bert and Coral Clifford. Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral Home in Unity.
Carroll A. Bumps
CHINA — Carroll Arvide Bumps, 86, of China, passed away Friday, Aug. 10, 2001, at a Waterville hospital.
He was born Nov. 17, 1914, in China, son of Arvide and Susie (Martin) Bumps.
He was employed by the Maine Central Railroad for 34 years before retiring in 1975. In his early years he enjoyed
hunting
and gardening. He received a 50-year medal for his membership with the Central Lodge No. 45 in China.
He was predeceased by four brothers, Ardell, Donald, Glendon, and Bernard Bumps, and two sisters, Charlene Young and Vivian Warner.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Viola Cunningham Bumps of China; two daughters, Dianne Higgins of China and Beverly Gilbert and her husband, Dale, of Winslow; his grandson, Greg Gilbert and his wife, Maureen, of Cumberland; brother, Maxwell Bumps of China; three sisters, Marie James, Barbara Fletcher and Rachel Cunningham, all of China; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
There will be no visiting hours. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, at the Chadwick Hill Cemetery
in China with the Rev. Ronald Morrell officiating. Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral Home in Fairfield.
Contributions in his memory may be made to either the China Rescue, PO Box 6300, China Village ME 04926; or China Village Fire Department, c/o Dick Norton, PO Box 6108, China Village ME 04926.
Helene (Turcotte) Carleton-Hoyt
NORRIDGEWOCK — Helene (Turcotte) Carleton-Hoyt, 73, of Norridgewock, died Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2001, after a long battle with cancer.
She was born Nov. 29, 1927, in Thetford Mines, Quebec, Canada
, daughter of Wilfred and Marie Anne Turcotte. She graduated from Notre Dame Hospital School of Nursing, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1948. Three years later, she married J. Maurice Carleton of Disraeli, Quebec, Canada, and moved to Skowhegan.
She loved spending time with her family and living along the shores of the Kennebec River. She also loved the field of nursing. She touched many lives in her nursing career at Redington Fairview Hospital where she worked in the operating room for nearly 40 years. In her spare time, she was an avid reader, loved the theater, and enjoyed calligraphy and painting.
Survivors include her husband, Donald Hoyt; two daughters, Sylvia (Carleton) Marusarz and her husband, Michael, of Freemont, Calif., and JoAnn (Carleton) Roy and her husband, Rene, of Lake Onawa, and a son, Peter Carleton and his wife, Cheryl, of Oakland; sister, Marina (Turcotte) Reid, of Montreal, Canada, and four brothers, Jean-Marie Turcotte, Jules Turcotte, Gerard Turcotte, and Louis Turcotte, all of Quebec, Canada; granddaughter, Amanda Roy of Wells, and three great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14, at the Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, Water Street, Skowhegan. Committal prayers and burial will follow at the Calvary Cemetery
in Skowhegan. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to HealthReach Hospice, 251 North Ave., Skowhegan ME 04976.
Bonita M. Cormier
NORTH KINGSTON, R.I. —Bonita Marie (Bonnie) Cormier, 48, of North Kingstown, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, June 27, 2001.
She was born Nov. 5, 1953, at Milo Hospital in Maine. Bonnie graduated in 1972 from Penquis Valley High School in Milo.
She is the daughter of Keith Pelkey of Bangor, who is deceased.
Survivors include her mother, Irene E. Burton Livingstone of Waterville; brother, Micheal Crandall, and sister, Kelly Anderson; her dear children, Benjamin Cormier, Brooke Cormier, Alexander Cormier, Leah Rzemier, Dennis Rzemier Jr. and Tyler Yelitz; also three nieces and many aunts and uncles.
Bonnie did everything with gusto and class. She created her home with crafts she had made.
Bonnie loved to read, loved animals, especially her dog, Bear, and loved roosters.
She touched the hearts of everyone she met.
Bonnie, we love you and you will be greatly missed.
Ricky E. McCarthy
ST. ALBANS — Ricky E. McCarthy, 42, of the Corinna Road, died Thursday, Aug. 9, 2001, unexpectedly of a heart attack while driving through Missouri.
He was born March 20, 1959, in Brunswick, the son of Earle and "Sis" (Corliss) McCarthy.
A long haul truck driver, he was first employed by the former Merrill Transport of Portland. As an independent driver, he has worked for Central Maine Transport of Bangor for many years. He loved to make people laugh, to play golf, the outdoors and life in general.
Survivors include his sons, John McCarthy and Eric McCarthy, both of St. Albans; his mother, Sis McCarthy of Freeport; four brothers, Ronald McCarthy of Freeport, Russell McCarthy of Durham, Randy McCarthy of Harmony, Roland McCarthy of Isabella, Ga.; two sisters, Roxann Reeves of Ocean Springs, Miss., Robin Smith of Freeport; 18 nieces and nephews; two grandnephews.
His father, Earle McCarthy, predeceased him in 1998.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, at the Lindquist Funeral Home, 1 Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth, where a funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14, with the Rev. Sandy Williams officiating. Interment will be held at the Burr Cemetery
in Freeport.
Gifts in his memory may be made to the Freeport Lions Club for Earle's Eyecare, c/o John Cunningham, Treasurer, 16 Royal Ave., Freeport ME 04032.
