Month: November 2013

Merilyn E. Ward beloved Mom, Grammie, Sister, and friend joined her Angels Tuesday 11/19/2013 at the age of 71. She passed after a long illness at Maine Med in Portland with over 20 family members at her side.

She was born in Freeport on February 6^th 1942 to Albert and Roberta (Goud) Graham. She grew up in Bridgton and attended school there. She was married to Arthur W. Ward for over 20 years and together they had three sons. Mom was a long time employee of Malden Mills and a homemaker for many years. She had been retired for 20 years due to health.

Our Mom loved her social life at Silver Pines with her many friends, collecting Angels, Bingo night and of course anything Elvis (starting her first Elvis scrap book at the age of 14). She had made two pilgrimages’ to Graceland. Mom also loved family and family events and all the day trips she and her BFF and sisters made over the years. Most of all our Mom loved her “boys” and grandkids and cherished any time spent with us. The grandkids will forever have stories to tell about Skip Bo.

Merilyn is survived by her “three boys” and their wives. Wayne and Deb of Harrison, Wyatt and DiAnne of Albany, Wade and Kimberly of Buckfield.

Step-children – (whom she loved as her own) Melanie (Baker) Farrington of Fryeburg, Jarrett Baker and his wife Teresa of Fryeburg.

Thirteen grandchildren and great grandchildren – Mindi, Nikki, Tia, Adam, Jason, Falishia, Whitney, Martika, Wade, Kylie, Kaylin, Bryson, and Madelynn.

Siblings – Arlene Matlock, Joan (Paul) Kiesman, Virginia (Roger) Pinkham, Jennifer (Rod) Blood, Roland H. Graham.

And many nieces and nephews whom she cherished, Mom is also survived by her BFF, constant traveling companion, and sister-in-law Margie (Phil) Ward.

Merilyn was predeceased by her parents, siblings James Randall, Mary Antoniak Smith, Nancy Payne, Albert (Butch) Graham, Ann Marie Goldthwaite, her grandson Wayne Wescott Ward, and her beloved housemate, her cat Kailey.

A small family service was held on Sunday November 24, 2013 at the N. Fryeburg Community Chapel.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to Harvest Hills Animal Shelter in Fryeburg. Our mother would love that.

Please visit www.advantageportland.com to sign Merilyn’s guestbook and to leave condolences for the family.

 

Casco, ME – Herbert J. Dvorscak, 88, formerly of Trenton, FL went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, November 22, 2013 at the Maine Veteran’s Home in Scarborough, ME.

He was born in North Arlington, NJ on January 13, 1925, son of the late John and Gladys Dvorscak. He was predeceased in death by his wife Edythe “Mickey” (Earl) Dvorscak in May of 1999.

Herbert was a member of our greatest generation, serving in the U.S. Army Europe during World War II. After his service he returned home to New Jersey and worked as a builder with his father and brothers at Dvor Homes and Argyle Block Company. Later he became a restaurateur, operating five family style restaurants over many years.

He is survived by two sons, James Dvorscak and his wife Lettie of Casco, ME and Larry Dvorscak and his wife Patricia of Crystal River, FL. He also leaves three grandchildren Michael, Kimberly and Christopher as well as a brother Kenneth Dvorscak of Pompton Plains, NJ, three great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

A private service will be held for immediate family only.

To sign Herbert’s guestbook and to leave condolences for the family, please visit www.advantageportland.com

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Maine Veterans Home

290 US Route 1

Scarborough, ME 04074

  

 

Oxford-Shirley A Lovejoy 77, a resident of Oxford, passed away peacefully at the home of her Daughter Anita & Son-in-Law Jorge, surrounded by her Family & Friends.  Shirley was born on June 19, 1936 in Hartford Maine. She was the Daughter of Geneva (Hodge) Gagnon & Aristide Gagnon (Butch).  She Graduated from Buckfield High School in 1955. Then enlisted into the Airforce. On Oct. 8th 1956 She married Guy W. lovejoy of Buckfield, who was also in the Airforce. She was a stay at home Mom raising her three Children. They settled in Buckfield in 1975 after Guy Retired from the Military.
 

Shirley enjoyed Knitting, Crocheting, Sewing, and many different crafts. Her specialty was Crocheting Doilies. Which she shared with many. She enjoyed Traveling, camping, hunting & fishing. She loved music, listening to her husband play guitar and singing with him. she was a very talented singer. Shirley directed and performed in the Buckfield Minstrel Show for many years. She played piano and ukulele. She was part of a family filled with musical talent and she loved to share it. She enjoyed following her Grandsons Career in Music. She was a member of the Buckfield Fire department, The Streaked Mountain Snowmobile club, The American Legion Auxiliary, and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary. She was a Ballot Clerk, ran the local Meal on wheels and made many mitten for operation Santa Claus. She was very involved in her Children & Grandchildrens daily lives that she loved Dearly. She loved playing cards every Tue. with her very Dear friends “The Penny Players”. She always look forward to game night once a month with Family & Friends.
 

Shirley was predeceased by her Father Aristide, Her Mother Geneva, her husband Guy, and Son-in-Law Rick Bruennig. She is survived by Her Daughter Cathy Bruennig of Nokomis, FL, Her Son Michael Lovejoy & his wife Karen of Buckfield ME, Her Daughter Anita Caraballo & her Husband Jorge of Oxford ME. Her Grandchildren, Bradford Samson & his Fiance Melissa Beauchamp, David Lovejoy & his wife April, Rita Lovejoy, Ben Lovejoy, Vanessa, Paul Newton & his Wife Karen, Jessica Newton & 6 Great Grandchildren.
Shirleys Smile could brighten up the darkest day and make everything ok. She always had a kind word for everyone and was always willing to help someone in need. Her positive outlook on life help so many that know her.
 

She is leaving a huge void in the hearts and souls of her family & friends that loved her dearly.

 In lieu of flowers please send donations to : Beacon Hospice 245 Center St. Suite 10A Auburn Maine 04210.

Portland, ME – Elizabeth S. (Meserve) Pottle, 84, of Portland died on Monday, November 11, 2013 at Mercy Hospital.  She was the wife of the late Lennie Pottle who died November 22, 2000.

Elizabeth was born in Gorham, ME on September 21, 1929 a daughter of the late Roger & Cynthia (Tripp) Meserve.  She attended local area schools and graduated from Gorham High School.

After high school she worked as a waitress until she married her husband Lennie and had their daughter Sharon.  She them became a seamstress for Healthtex in Portland before retiring due to illness.

She was a member of the Senior Citizens Program in Scarborough and loved to have lunch with the girls.  She also enjoyed watching the 1^st Baptist Church on television and loved her cryptograms.  For the final 20 years of her husband’s life, she took care of him, “his angel” he called her.

She is now in heaven with her husband Lennie and her grandson Bradley, her heart of gold will be missed by her daughter Sharon M. Pottle of Portland, her grandson Louis Distasio and his wife Amanda also of Portland and his two great grandchildren James and Sara.  She also leaves his brother Robert Meserve of Raymond, ME.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 from 10 – 11 a.m. at the 1^st Baptist Church, Canco Road Portland.  A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. followed by a burial in Highland Lake Cemetery, Westbrook.

Arrangements are under the care of Advantage Funeral Services, 981 Forest Ave., Portland.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to:

American Cancer Society

1 Bowdoin Mill Island

Topsham, ME 04086

Scarborough – Clifford B. Thomas, 80, of Scarborough, passed away peacefully Thursday at home surrounded by his wife and four children following a brief but valiant struggle with cancer.  He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Bobbie L. (Joiner) Thomas, and four children, three daughters and one son.  They are Sherry L. Sargent of Scarborough, Donna L. Nelson of Hollis, Laurie K. Johnston of North Yarmouth and Clifford A. (Kip) Thomas, also of Scarborough; in addition to 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.  He will be sadly missed by all.

He was born in Milo, ME on July 10, 1933; the only child of the late Bernice C. & Vivian M. (Strout) Thomas.  He grew up in South Portland and graduated from South Portland High School in 1951.  It was during his next four years in the US Navy and while stationed in Jacksonville, Florida where he met the love of his life, Bobbie, from Pelham, GA.

Cliff spent many of his working years repairing office equipment, electronics and computers during the day.  He was self-taught in repairing TVs, and spent most evenings repairing the televisions of friends, family.  For a time his career included being the owner/operator of Music Mart, a store selling musical instruments, that he was later able to relocate to the Maine Mall.  Cliff was a hard-working family man who often worked three jobs. 

Cliff’s interests included hunting, playing baseball, and softball, and candlepin bowling.  He and his wife had belonged to a couples’ league and enjoyed bowling together.   He had a passion for building and flying model airplanes.  He and his “flying buddies” would get together whenever “the wind wasn’t blowing”.  He thoroughly enjoyed his time with these friends whether it be flying or getting together for coffee.  His love of flying even included getting his pilot’s license to fly small engine planes.  An avid New England sports fan, he watched or listened to every Red Sox game and watched golf with Bobbie by the hour.  Cliff loved being surrounded by animals, and could be counted on to bring home anything from a kitten to a Capuchin monkey, to an African Grey parrot.  He will be especially missed by his dog, Zoey.

His real love, though, was music.  He taught himself to play guitar and was a member of his uncle’s band, “The Reggie Strout Combo”.  Their group played on Saturday’s for weddings and every Saturday night at the Oak Ledge Lounge throughout the 60’s.  Cliff enjoyed picking up the guitar and playing right up until the end; he had most recently taken pleasure in helping a young neighbor with his playing.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 23^rd at 2:00 pm at the Elm Street Methodist Church, 168 Elm Street, South Portland, where he was a member.

Please visit www.advantageportland.com to sign Cliff’s guestbook and leave condolences for the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Cliff’s name to:

Elm Street Methodist Church

168 Elm Street

South Portland, ME  04106

or

Hospice of Southern Maine

180 US Route One

Scarborough, ME  04074        

 

Lewiston- Joseph W. Walker, 75, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2013.

He was born in Westbrook on July 17th, 1938, to Albert and Sarah Elizabeth (Shackford) Walker.  He attended Portland Schools.  Joe’s fondest childhood memories were living on Peaks Island.  When he left the island he would go back and visit every summer.  Joe was a dedicated employee for the City of Portland School Department for over 20 years as a custodian at Portland Regional Vocational Technology Center.  Prior to working at Portland Regional Vocational Technology Center, he worked at Beal’s Furniture.  His hobby and passion was woodworking and refinishing furniture.  Joe was very well liked and loved by all who knew him.

Joe was predeceased by his parents, his wife Helen (Charlesworth) Walker and his brother, Charles Walker, Robert Walker and James McPhail.  He is survived by his daughters, Alison Walker, her fiancé Robert Pooler of Auburn and Holly (Walker) Ward, her husband Kristopher Ward of New Gloucester, Grandchildren Dylan Pooler, Emily Pooler both of Auburn, Hailey Ward of New Gloucester and a grandson who is on his way.  His sister Betty Lou Staples, her husband Dana of Gorham, his sister Mary, her husband Rodney of Oxford and many nieces and nephews.  

Friends and family are invited to a graveside service for Joe, on Wednesday at 1 PM, at Brooklawn Memorial Park, with Reverend Shearman officiating.    

Scarborough, ME – Joyce Grove, known as Gigi to all who love her, passed away surrounded by her family and close friends. She fought the cancer battle with grace, quiet courage, humor and style. She was unquestionably the finest dressed hospice patient ever to enter the program!

Joyce was born April 7, 1936 in Springfield, Massachusetts at the Springfield Hospital to Earl Ludden and Gladys Cooper Ludden.

She graduated from Classical High School in 1954 and the Chamberlain School of Retailing in Boston in 1956. She went on to graduate from the Stern Brothers Executive Training Program in 1958.

On July 29th, 1961 she married Richard Frank Grove and gave birth to Todd Cooper Grove on February 8, 1963.

Maintaining her love of retailing she became a Buyer for Forbes and Wallace and worked there from 1963 to 1971 when she retired to raise her son. In 1981, she began working for Jordan Marsh in Boston where she held numerous executive positions. When the store closed, she went to work for Grossmans Lumber as a liaison between manufacturers and the company. She retired in 1996 and later worked part time for Big Y Foods until 2009. In June of 2012, she relocated to Portland, Maine to be close to her beloved family.

Gigi was a doting grandmother, a loving mom and a friend to all who were fortunate enough to enter her inner circle. She overcame adversity throughout her life by combining fierce inner strength with dignity, a wonderful sense of humor, a tightly knit group of life-long friendships and an occasional Manhattan (with a splash of Maraschino juice for good measure).

She leaves behind two grandchildren, Colin and Ethan, her daughter in-law Mary and son Todd. Also grieving her loss is her closest friend, Ginger Lawlor, who was always there and always will be.

A celebration of her life will be held in Cumberland, Maine at a time not yet determined.

Please visit www.advantageportland.com to sign Gigi’s guestbook and to leave condolences for the family.

Please consider sending donations to:

Hospice of Southern Maine,

180 US Route 1

Scarborough, Maine 04074

or a local Hospice organization near you.

They are – one and all – the kindest, most capable group of caregivers any family could ever ask for. We have been blessed by their presence and could not have made it through this difficult journey without their guidance.

Peace

Todd Grove

LEWISTON—Merlyn “Chickie” Anderson crossed over to God’s embrace peacefully November 13, 2013.

“Chickie” was born in Londonderry, NH to the late Merlyn and Frank McKinney on February 15, 1947. She had four brothers; Perry, Conrad, Lowell, and Charles, and one sister Elizabeth. She was widow to Raymond Anderson Sr. and is survived by her loving children; Christopher, Tammy, Sean, and Michelle. She is also survived by five grandchildren; Laura, Ryan, Tyler, Joshua, and Alexander.

She had a deep love for life and shared that with everyone she met. She faced every challenge with courage and valor and an indomitable fighting spirit. She applied a comic resilience with an intelligent intent to nearly every situation. She will be missed greatly.  

Online guestbook is available to share condolences at www.advantageportland.com

The funeral will be held November 24, 2013 at Christ Episcopal Church, 1035 Lafayette Rd, Portsmouth, NH at 1PM.

Donations in her honor should be directed to the Christ Episcopal Church. The florist is Ambrosia Gardens at 603-436-7000.

Arrangements by Advantage Funeral and Cremation Services, Portland, ME., 899-4605