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1998-09-11
David Wilkinson
David Wilkinson, 65, a longtime resident of Gray who was born in New Gloucester, died Tuesday, September 6.
He had been road commissioner for the Town of Gray for 16 years. He was a member of the American Legion Post in Gray, the National Rifle Association and the Sportsmen's Alliance of Maine. He loved to garden, growing pumpkins for kids, and he enjoyed reading, restoring antiques and studying local history.
He is survived by his wife, Yvonne Skilling Wilkinson, of Gray; a daughter, Jayne Wilkinson, of Gray; a brother, Allyn, of Oak View, California; and his stepfather, Paul Walker, of Lewiston.
Memorial donations may be made to Gray Rescue, P.O. Box 258, Gray, ME 04039.
All of us at The Gray News send our most sincere condolences to his wife Yvonne, who for many years has been a member of the Board of Directors of this newspaper, and to his entire family.
Mr. Wilkinson's many friends and admirers in Gray will miss him.
1998-09-14
David Wilkinson
The obituary for David Wilkinson, who passed away September 1, should have included his employment at Kassbohrer of North America and the YWCA in Lewiston, as well as his service in the U.S. Army from 1952 until 1954.
2005-04-08
Dayton Webb, with Gray ties, passes
Dayton B. Webb, 56, of Reston, VA, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 3, at his residence, surrounded by his family.
Mr. Webb was a graduate of Gray-New Gloucester High School, and a retired Lieutentant-Colonel in the U.S. Air Force.
He was the son-in-law of George and Bea Muzzy, of Gray, and the beloved husband of Karen D. (Muzzy) Webb; loving father of Jena C. Webb and fiance, Nicolas Mainville, of Montreal, Canada
; son of Margaret L. of Beaufort, SC, and the late Edward C. Webb both formerly of Gray; brother of Frederic Webb, of Beaufort, SC, Charles Webb, of Gray, ME, and Callie Burke, of Jacksonville, NC. A Memorial Service was held at Adams Green Funeral Home, 721 Elden St., Herndon, VA on Friday, March 11.
Interment was private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
2005-05-06
Deborah "Deb" White Preble, 51
Our wife, mom, daughter and friend went to be with the Lord on April 29, 2005 at home surrounded by her family and dear friends four years after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Deb put up a gallant fight, never ever once complaining of this cruel disease that was slowly taking her life. Deb was our strength through it all, never allowing us to show sadness or sorrow for her as she fought so hard to live. In the worst of times, when greeted and asked, "How are you doing, Deb?" she would answer with, "Good" and a smile on her face. We all have much to learn from her strength and courage through the last four years while battling he cancer.
Deb was born in Portland, Maine on Sept. 27, 1953, to Bob and Bertha Aikens White. She grew up on Pride Street in Westbrook, graduating from Westbrook High School in 1971. Using her business training acquired in high school she went to work at New Hampshire Insurance Company after graduation. She moved and settled in Gray in the early '70s and went to work at Pineland Hospital as an aid. Figuring out quite early on that this was definitely not her forte, she had higher sights for her life, she started studying for her employment test with the US Post Office. She passed her test easily and was hired as a temp at the Portland Post Office. For the next 26 years she worked in several offices, Westbrook, Gray, Raymond and settling into the Casco Post Office which she retired from this past February. .
Deb was so loved by all of her postal patrons. She always went the extra mile to be sure each and everyone of their needs were taken care of. A dedicated employee, she never knew how to say no when anything extra was asked of her. Deb would be there. During the Ice Storm in '98, when we all thought that the post office did not have to be open that morning, Deb made Jeffrey drive her to her treasured office through downed trees and power lines to make sure that the doors were open for business. More than once on Christmas Eve after putting the boys to bed she'd be back at the post office making sure those last minute packages and cards got out. It was just the dedicated person she was to her job and customers.
Shortly after moving to Gray she met her future husband, Jeffrey Preble. Sensing the ultimate challenge presented the ultimate reward, Jeffrey spent weeks and months convincing Deb to go on that first date. Happily they hit it off and were married on January 20, 1984. Together she and Jeffrey raised two sons, Jake and Jon, who were the focal point of Deb's life. The sun rose and set on those two boys. Deb's life revolved around them. She did an outstanding job of raising Jake and Jon (though criticized now and again by her friends for spoiling them... just a little!) They both have made her so proud in their school work, both all "A" students. In their kind nature and thoughtful ways, they cared for their mother through her illness with such tenderness and love. Once when commended on what a great job they were doing in caring for her and how proud we were of them, Jon said, "We are only caring for her like she did for us."
Besides managing a chaotic and fun household, Deb was also involved in breeding and showing her basenji dog, Merry Muffin. She was co-founder and secretary of The Mainely Basenji Club. When the boys came along, time was stretched thin, and she no longer showed her dogs but continued to love and enjoy them. Not a day went by that you wouldn't see Deb heading out for a dog walk with her beloved pets. Along with the dogs she also loved her cats. She said more times than once that when she got old she'd be known as the crazy lady with all the cats!
Deb is survived by her beloved husband of 21 years, Jeffrey W. Preble, of Gray, and two sons, Jake and Jon, Breezy and Buster, her two dogs and cats, Crazy, Tiger, Pluto and Milky Way.
She is also survived by her Dad, Robert White, and stepmother Mary, of Westbrook; sister Delphine Palmer, of Falmouth, and brother Bob White and wife Diane, of Gorham; and four stepsisters. She was predeceased by her mother, Bertha White, in 1990. Deb will be sadly missed by her Aunt, Barbara White, her cousins, nieces and nephews, and many, many good friends she has acquired over the years. And most of all by her best friend, Gail MacLean.
All of us, friends and family, are amazed at the blessing we have been given to have Deb in our lives. We would have loved to have more time with her, but we were just so fortunate to have her at all.
Her family wishes to express its appreciation to the Center for Cancer Medicine in Scarborough and Dr. Thomas Ervin and staff and her nurses from Home Health Care, not only for their excellent medical care and help in Deb's fight with her cancer, but also for their kindness and the love they always gave to Deb.
Visiting hours were on Wednesday and a funeral service at Prides Corner Congregational Church, Westbrook, on Thursday, with Pastor Susan Gilpin officiating.
Arrangements were by Wilson Funeral Home, 24 Shaker Road, Gray.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Prides Corner Congregational Church, 235 Pride Street, Westbrook,ME 04092, or Greater Androscoggin Humane Society, 420 Poland Spring Road, Auburn, ME 04210
2005-03-18
Dennis Cox, 49
Dennis Samuel Cox, 49, who grew up in Gray, died March 9, after a brief illness at a Bangor hospital.
He was born August 26, 1955, in Lubec, the son of Samuel and Norma (Crosby) Cox, of Edmunds.
Despite many other achievements in his life, Dennis considered his family and friends his greatest accomplishment. He graduated from Shead Memorial High School and Washington County Community Technology College with an electrical certification. Dennis was a veteran of the Persian Gulf War and retired from the U.S. Navy in 1999. He received many medals, Certificates of Merit and Achievement and Commendations for his service in the Navy.
Most recently he enjoyed his jobs at Edmunds Elementary School with the children and Morgan's in Pembroke with the many customers and friends he encountered.
Dennis was well known for his heart of gold and these famous words: "Take a chill pill-there's no sense in sweating the small stuff." He will be remembered as a hard worker and for his smile and how much he loved to talk. He cared about people and people cared about him. He will be missed by many.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda (Seeley) Cox; his son, Adam; his daughter, Brittany; his granddaughter, Amaya; two brothers, Stephen Cox and his wife Cyndy and Paul Cox and his wife Sherri, of Dennysville; three sisters, Jeanne Seavy of Eastport, Debbie Leighton and her husband Glenn, of Edmunds, and Trudy Morrison and fianc Randy, of Perry; several nieces and nephews; his best friend Reggie; his extended Gray "family"; and his many other family members and friends who are too many to list individually but are no less loved and appreciated.
The family would like to thank everyone for the many cards, visits, phone calls and support that helped Dennis and his family through this difficult time.
2000-05-12
Donald K. Strout
Donald K. Strout, 72, a 1945 graduate of Pennell Institute, died Monday, April 10, in a Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, hospital.
Born September 24, 1927, in Portland, ME, to Munson and Susie McDuffie Strout, he was a veteran of the United States Navy, and a member of VFW.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn F. Strout, of Hot Springs Village; one son and daughter-in-law, D. Wayne and Carol Strout, of Dover, PA; one daughter and son-in-law, Tammie and Stanley Thompson, of Ovilla, TX; one brother, Arnold R. Strout, of Myrtle Beach, SC; his mother-in-law, Bernice Ferguson, of Hot Springs Village; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was predeceased by one brother.
Burial will be in the Maine Veterans Cemetery, Augusta, Maine.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Village United Methodist Church.
2005-05-27
Dorothy Hansen dies
Dorothy T. Hansen, formerly of Gray and Brunswick, died Monday, May 23, at her home after a battle with brain cancer.
Dorothy was born on April 25, 1939, in Edmore, Michigan, to the Rev. Dolliver and Mrs. Ruth Thogerson. Most of her young life was spent in Falmouth before moving to West Branch, Iowa, where she attended high school. While Dorothy stayed in the Midwest to earn her degree in music education at Iowa Teachers' College, her family relocated back to Falmouth. It was on one of her visits home that she met her future husband, Hans M. Hansen III. Dorothy and Skip were married in 1960, and made their home in Gray. In 1990, they moved to Brunswick. After her husband died, she moved to Portland.
Dorothy is well-known and loved throughout Southern Maine for her musical gifts and talents. She was the harpist for the Portland Symphony Orchestra in the 1970s, and provided music for numerous weddings, musicals and celebrations. She loved sharing her talent, and had many fine harp students. Her music led her to be involved with many local music groups, clubs and ensembles. She was honored most recently to serve her fellow musicians as President of the Rossini Club.
In addition to her musical career, Dorothy was a music teacher in the Gray-New Gloucester school system for a semester, and also enjoyed working in retail at Jordan Marsh and Macy's, as well as selling jewelry at Fairbanks, Frost and Lowe.
The greatest joy in Dorothy's life, outside of her family, was her faith. A lifelong Christian, Dorothy was a very active member at Emmaus Lutheran Church, where she served the church as Choir Director for more than 25 years. She participated in bible studies, taught Sunday school, served on committees and gave her time freely in any way she could. Dorothy was an example to all around her of how to live her faith.
Dorothy is survived by her mother, Mrs. Ruth Thogerson, of Huxley, Iowa; brother David Thogerson, of Davis, Illinois; brother Mark Thogerson, of Whitehall, Michigan; daughter Heidi Western, of Burlington, Vermont; daughter Vivika DeNegre, of Guilford, CT; son Fritz Hansen, of Westbrook, Maine; seven grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and numerous friends.
A memorial gathering was held on Thursday, May 26, at Wilson Funeral Home, and a memorial service was held at 10 A.M. on Friday, May 27, at Emmaus Lutheran Church, 265 Middle Road, Falmouth, with Pastor Robert G. Gustavson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Dorothy Hansen Memorial Fund, Emmaus Lutheran Church, 265 Middle Road, Falmouth, ME 04105.
1999-10-29
Dorothy L. Blake
Dorothy L. Blake, 73, died last Friday at D'Youville Pavillion/Marcotte Nursing Home in Lewiston.
She was born in New Gloucester, August 27, 1926, the daughter of Cecil E. Libby and Frances P. Harrington Libby. She graduated from New Gloucester High School in 1944 and, later, Gray's Business School of Portland.
On June 7, 1947, she married Everett S. Blake. Mrs. Blake was employed by WW Morse Insurance, NT Fox Lumber, the State of Maine and Pineland Center. Her interests included auto racing, baseball, genealogy, camping, bird watching, playing the organ and piano, and singing. She was a longtime member of the First Congregational Church of New Gloucester. She also enjoyed traveling throughout the state with her husband while taking photos of almost every post office in Maine.
Surviving are her husband of 52 years, of New Gloucester; a daughter, Joanne P. Hutchison, of New Gloucester; a son, Everett Philip Blake, of New Gloucester; a brother, Edwin E. Libby, of New Gloucester; five grandchildren and 1 great-grandson. She was predeceased by a sister, Barbara F. (Libby) Lowe, of Gray.
A funeral was held at 10 A.M. on Tuesday at the First Congregational Church of New Gloucester. Arrangements were by Wilson Funeral Home, Gray.
1999-09-03
Earl C. Leavitt
Earl Cushman Leavitt, 79, died Tuesday at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Maine, following a long illness.
Born in Gray, the son of Clarence Willard and Henrietta Pritham Leavitt, he lived in Gray all his life.
He married Dorothy Frances Witham in 1940, in Portland, ME.
He graduated from Pennell Institute in 1938.
He was a veteran of World War II, 1944-1946, and won the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on April 7, 1945, in Germany.
Mr. Leavitt worked at Thomas-Laughlin in Portland, Maine for 21 years, and at the Gray Post Office as a rural carrier in Gray for 21 years. He retired in 1982.
He enjoyed
hunting
, fishing, camping, and gardening.
He was predeceased by a sister, Alice Hathaway.
Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Dorothy Leavitt, of Gray; five sons, Gordon and David, both of Gray, Neal of Windham, Donald Leavitt and Gary Smith both of New Gloucester; three daughters, Anna Teele, of Phillips, Amy Leavitt of Gray and Audrey Leavitt of New Gloucester; one brother, Sidney Leavitt, of Gray; and twenty-five grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Gray Rescue, P.O. Box 258, Gray, Maine 04039.
1999-12-03
Edward John LeDuc
Navy veteran; enjoyed
hunting, sports
Edward John LeDuc, 45, of New Gloucester, died last Tuesday after an accident on the Maine Turnpike.
Mr. LeDuc, a truck driver for Hill-Rom Industries, was returning home after work when his truck collided with a flatbed truck near Exit 6A. The accident is under investigation.
Mr. LeDuc was born in Key West, FL, the son of Norman and Mary (Manning) LeDuc. He was educated in New Hampshire schools, and was a graduate of Bishop Brady High School, Class of 1973. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War.
On December 31, 1980, he married the former Florence Lane.
Mr. LeDuc worked for several years for the Poland Spring Bottling Co., and was currently employed as a service technician for Hill-Rom Industries. He enjoyed
hunting, fishing, racquetball, baseball and skiing.
He is survived by his wife, of New Gloucester; two sons, Benjamin and Jason; his father, of Colebrook, NH; two brothers, Gerald and Gerard and his wife Jane, all of Pittsfield, NH; two sisters, Mrs. Larry (Norma) Konopka, of Loudon, NH, and Mrs. Paul (Doreen) Hewitt, of Manchester, NH; and nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins.
A funeral was held last Saturday at Dillingham & Son Memorial Chapel, Auburn.
Donations may be made to the Maine Cancer Society, 52 Federal Street, Brunswick, ME 04011.
