Month: January 2016

Scarborough, ME — Gail Katherine Catanzaro, 81 years old died in her home with family on January 23, 2016.

She was born in Winchester, Mass to the parents of Joseph and Ruth Tansey. Gail graduated from St. Charles High School in 1952 where she was president of her class and later served on the student governing board for Children’s Hospital in Boston. Here she received her nursing degree and was appointed a nursing position at Children’s hospital where she worked during the polio epidemic of 1954 and later under Dr. Farber during the early stages of his development on treating cancer. 

Gail met the love of her life Salvatore Catanzaro while working in Boston. They were married in 1958 and moved to Illinois where she worked as a nurse and was recognized for her efforts in updating the hospitals children’s ward from the knowledge she gained at Children’s Hospital in Boston. After several years in Illinois, she and her husband Salvatore chose to settle in Clinton Connecticut where she continued her career as a nurse at Middlesex Hospital and later as a school nurse and educational assistant for 19 years. She was again recognized with the staff appreciation award upon her retirement in 1992 for being instrumental as one of the initial individuals who worked to have children with physical disabilities mainstreamed into the regular education classroom for the first time. 

Even after retirement Gail’s life continued to be about her dedication to caring for others with kindness and compassion. She and her husband Sal joyfully enjoyed retirement by traveling and working in their gardens at their farmhouse in New Hampshire. Gail was most proud of her family and enjoyed spending most of her time with her grandchildren who were always greeted with smiles, hugs and fresh baked brownies.  

She was adored by her family and is survived by her husband Salvatore of 58 years, Brother Richard Tansey of Half Moonbay, CA, Sister Ann Bellino of Bedford MA, predeceased by brother George of Falmouth ME, children Paul Catanzaro of Marlborough MA, Son David Catanzaro of Exeter NH and daughter Ruth Hughes of Scarborough ME, and many nieces and nephews but most importantly by her beloved grandchildren Coryn Catanzaro, Courtney Catanzaro, Jack, Ben and Tansey Hughes and David Catanzaro who she now joins in heaven. 

In line with Gail’s constant concern for others, she did not wish to have formal services but preferred to have her family gather together in celebration at the family’s farm house in New Hampshire at a time that was warm, sunny and her flowers in full bloom. The farm is a place dear to her heart and where her family could always go to be together.  

In lieu of flowers please send contributions to Gail’s favorite charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Fund.

 

 

Portland, ME — Lynn Edward Tibbetts, 82 of Portland, passed away peacefully Wednesday January 27, 2016 at the Barron Center with family by his side after a period of failing health.  Lynn was born May 15, 1933 in Houlton, ME to Huse Norwood Tibbetts and Lucille M. Hodgkins. 

Lynn graduated from Deering High School in 1951, and soon after joined the U.S. Air Force, serving during the Korean War, and attended UMPG.  Lynn married his high school sweetheart Priscilla Maye Robinson in 1954 in Portland, ME and worked for IBM for 35 years, retiring in 1988.  Lynn loved all sports, especially baseball + kids, and coached at LL 9 Portland; he was district manager for 13 years.  As a young man, he was also involved in the Jaycees.  He treasured being a family man and was often found at his kids’ homes and grandchildren’s practices + games.  Lynn + Priscilla were able to travel to Europe to visit with their daughter’s family which they very much enjoyed.  The Tibbetts home was always full of a variety of animals, and early on, all 4-legged family members were named after all the ‘Peanuts’ characters.  Lynn especially loved German Shepherds, always having at least one to greet visitors.  He was a lifelong Cleveland Browns fan and requested they be his pallbearers “so they could let me down one more time.”  Lynn’s unique sense of humor, kind, gentle soul, and a treasured moral compass made him loved + respected by all who knew him. 

Lynn is survived by Priscilla, his wife of 61 years; daughter Laura Abbott and husband Carl of Falmouth, ME; daughter Lynnda Tibbetts Macisso and husband Michael of Burke, VA; and son David Tibbetts and wife Rebecca of Portland, ME; grandchildren Courtney + Cathryn Abbott, Dante + Joseph Macisso, and Mark Egeland + partner Emily VanDuzer; brothers Terry + wife Merilee Tibbetts, and Rod + wife Cheryl Tibbetts.  Lynn also was blessed with 2 great grandchildren Amya and Chance Ross.  Lynn was predeceased by his mother Lucille at age 4, and parents Huse and Rachel (Fowles) Tibbetts and his Aunt Maerice Blackington. 

A memorial service will be held Saturday March 5, 2016 at 1pm at Wilde Memorial Chapel at Evergreen Cemetery, Stevens Ave, Portland, ME with a private burial at a later date in Mountain View Cemetery in Camden, Maine.  Expressions of sympathy are asked to consider the Animal Refuge in Westbrook, ME, or the Alzheimer’s Association. 

The family wishes to extend gratitude to Hospice of Southern Maine, specifically Erica and Cindy.

 

 

 

Portland, ME — William Francis Harrigan, 89, passed away on Monday, January 25, 2016 at St Joseph’s Nursing Home. 

Bill was born Nov 27, 1926 in Portland, ME. He is survived by nine children, sixteen grandchildren, and predeceased by five children.

He was born during the Great Depression with six sisters and renowned Irish prizefighter and bootlegger Eddie Harrigan and his wife. Bill was married to his wife Leona for 26 years.  It is remarked by many that no family can match the trophy case proudly displayed by Bill’s children.  However; Bill always showed great humility throughout his long and extraordinary life.

His schooling was cut short at 5th grade in order to help support his family and that support continued throughout his entire life. Bill was a workaholic, sometime holding three jobs at once. Beginning in 1941, he began as a young teenager working at Portland’s Union Station. In 1943 at 17 years old he joined the US Navy during WWII aboard the USS Alaska. He was Honorably Discharged in 1946 while participating in Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal.

He returned to Union Station after the war and was quickly moved to Maine Central Railroad’s Rigby terminal working as a Car Inspector. Bill was a huge provider for his family and commonly known as an overly generous man. His works and good deeds are well known to many people. Bill was an entrepreneur in every spirit of the word; he founded many small start-ups from Bill’s Auto Sales to Bond Construction Co. 

Bill suffered two catastrophic life events with losses of five children, however; with an affirming belief in the Christ and Theotokis he miraculously arose from certain defeat. Bill converted to Catholicism at the age of 33 and was a regular parishioner at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He always sought truth and righteousness regardless of what person or group he may upset.

Bill went on to achieve a GED, passed both the written Real Estate exam and Insurance exam. He had an voracious appetite for used books and had a huge stockpile. He was twice a political candidate for Municipal election. After retiring from the Railroad, he worked for Pinkerton Security where he was meritoriously awarded for faithful service, and later founded his Own Certified Maine Contract Security Co., licensed with the Dept. of Public Safety. 

Special thanks to Father Kramer and his prayer mentions and Tridentine masses in County Cork, Ireland.

We would also like to thank the many people who recited Ave Maria’s and the Rosary.

We wish to acknowledge in prayer with Bill’s everlasting love he held for all his Children and special mention to those predeceased:

Mary, William Jr., Heather, Heidi and Holly 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral service on Monday, February 1, 2016 at 1 p.m. at the Wilde Memorial Chapel at Evergreen Cemetery, 672 Stevens Ave., Portland, ME.

 

 

 

 

WITH ALL HUMILITY AND GENTLENESS, WITH PATIENCE, BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE. Ephesians 4:2

Portland, ME – Carl E. Rawstron, 75, of South Portland, left us on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, after a long illness.

Carl was born on August 12, 1940 in Portland, ME a son of the late Alfred E. & Vivian A. (Whitman) Rawstron Jr.  He graduated from Deering High School as a member of the class of 1957, after which he joined the US Navy.

He worked as a chef in Maine at many Portland restaurants and also owned his own businesses.  He spent many years out of state but returned back to Maine to retire.
Carl was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, The American Legion, the Moose Club and the National Rifle Association. 

As a young boy Carl was intrigued with ants and had many ant farms.  He loved gardening and enjoyed collecting coins and baseball cards.  A true fan, he never missed a Patriots game and is surely rooting for them today.  Carl had a great sense of humor and even in his final days he was finding ways to make people smile.

He is survived by his son’s Patrick C. Callahan of Philadelphia, PA, Karl V. Rawstron of Brooklyn, NY, and William C. Rawstron of Saco, ME, and his daughter Miranda (Rawstron) Hilton of San Antonio, TX.   He also leaves three grandchildren Alexander, Liam, and Leah as well as two sisters Charlotte Olsen, Carlene Leavitt and a brother Clayton Rawstron, Nieces Amy McElhill, whom we give special thanks to for the heartfelt care she gave Carl so he could remain comfortable and in his own home, Katrina, Teri, Kathy, Allison, Erica, Hailey, Alyssa, Brittany and Shannon and nephews Clayton and David.  He was also the brother of the late Carol Yeaton.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a graveside service on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. at Brooklawn Memorial Park, 2002 Congress Street, Portland.

Augusta, ME – Michael Paul Mathieu, 65, of Rangeley, ME died on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at the VA Medical Center in Augusta.

He was born in Kittery, ME on April 29, 1950 a son of the late Paul A. & Mary R. (Durant) Mathieu.  He attended Portland schools and graduated from Deering High School in 1970.  He served his country as a member of the US Coast Guard.

Michael was a self-employed man, working in both building construction and as a fisherman out of Gloucester, MA.  He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as wood crafting and reading.

He is survived by his daughter Aimee Favazza and her husband Jay and his son Adam Mathieu both of Gloucester, MA.  He also leaves a brother Tim Mathieu and his wife Diane of Windham and two sisters Paula Coppersmith and her husband Bob of WIndham and Mary McDonald and her husband Mike of South Portland as well as several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of his life will be held in Forest City Cemetery, South Portland in the spring.

Portland, ME — Arthur L Adams, 75 of Gorham ME passed away peacefully on Saturday January 16, 2016. 

He was born in Norridgewock ME on January 11, 1941 to Iris M Reed and Sidney Adams. He was raised by his mother and her husband Roger B Reed. Arthur was the second oldest of ten children. 

He had many different jobs in his time; from Landscaping to janitorial work, dish washing and he even spent some time living in Pennsylvania working at a horse track. You could say he was a jack of all trades. 

Arthur grew up in Norridgewock and had many passions in life; his faith and the church being the most important to him. He loved to draw and paint, he was very crafty; from cutting boards to bird houses and children’s toys.  He was also quite the gardener, loved animals and bird watching. Arthur LOVED movies of all types and genres. He owned over 1,760 movies and would gladly show and discuss every one of them with you. He had a very big heart, he loved spending time with friends and family; he would do anything to make you smile.  All of the children knew him as Donald Duck; he could be quite the practical joker and storyteller. 

He is survived by his brothers: Dana Adams and his wife Vicky, Roger Reed and wife Dianne, James Reed and wife Evelyn, Tony Reed and wife Penny and Sister Carol Reed and her partner Scott Clark. He also leaves his sisters in law; Irene Adams, Debbie Adams and Lilly Adams. There are many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and family members who loved him dearly and will miss him always. 

Arthur is predeceased by: brothers Bernard Chubbuck, George Adams, Linwood Adams and Leroy Adams. 

Services will be held on Saturday February 6, 2016 at the Orchard Church; 1 North St (RTE 114), Gorham Me at 1pm. A celebration of Arthur’s life will be held following the service in the church hall.

 

 

Portland, ME — Robert Livingston MacDonald passed away on Sunday, January 17, 2016 at the Barron Center.  He was born on December 2, 1924 in Medford, Massachusetts.  He was married to Dorothy E. Brown in 1954 who passed away in 1991 and is survived by their children, Edward MacDonald of North Carolina, Ruth Klinger of New Hampshire and Bonny Dodson of Maine and five grandchildren.  Robert also married Dorothy Bryant St. Peter in 1999 and is survived by Dorothy, his step son, Wayne St. Peter of Portland, Maine and five step grandchildren.  Robert is also survived by his sister Betty Carlson and a niece and nephew of Massachusetts. 

Robert was a World War II veteran. After the war he realized his dream and in 1951 he moved from Massachusetts to Portland, Maine to work for the Canadian National Railroad, retiring in 1986 after 35 years. 

Robert was active in the 470 Railroad Club serving as Vice President and President. He was the liaison between 470 Railroad Club and the Canadian National Railroad organizing the famous rail excursions to Island Falls, VT which ran for many years.  Robert was also a founding member and historian for the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad in Portland, Maine. 

Robert was a prolific writer and published in many railroad newsletters and magazines.  He authored four books about the Colorado and Maine Narrow Gauge Railroads.  His most recent book is titled, “Boston and Maine Memories”. 

Robert was a spiritual man and was active in the church serving as Deacon, teaching Sunday School and giving rides to people. Robert was Catholic and a 4^th degree Knights of Columbus.  He was active in community service including years of delivering for the Meals on Wheels program. 

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to the entire staff at the Barron Center, your tireless efforts will be remembered. 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Memorial Mass on Friday, January 22, 2016 at 11 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 492 Ocean Ave. Portland, ME. 

Burial in Brooklawn Memorial Park, Portland, ME will be held at a later date.

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

Knight of Columbus, Council 101

492 Ocean Ave.

 

Portland, ME 04103

Portland, ME — Paul D. Willette, 61, passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2016 at Mercy Hospital, with his family at his side.

He was born in Portland, ME on October 24, 1954. He attended Cathedral school in the city and graduated from Portland High in 1974. Paul was married to Laurie Quattrucci for 35 years.

Paul worked for Rufus Deering for 30 years. He loved his family, enjoyed listening to local radio talk shows and was very knowledgeable about the city that he called his home. He was a big fan of the Beach Boys and also loved to cook for his family.  

Paul is predeceased by his beloved mother Julie Guimond and father Joseph Willette as well as four brothers Peter Willette, Richard Nelson, James Willette, and Joseph ‘Gus’ Willette. He is survived by his sons Peter Willette of Gorham ME, Michael Willette and his wife Barbara of Auburn, ME and Daniel Willette and his wife Kaley of Portland ME.  He also leaves two grandsons and a granddaughter as well as his brothers Stephen Willette of GA, Mark Willette of Westbrook ME, and Bill Willette of Wells, ME, his sister Ann Swiontkowski of FL and several nieces & nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland, ME at 10:00 am.

Portland, ME – Blaine “Toot” F. Watson, 75, of Portland died on Monday, January 11, 2016 at the Seaside Nursing Home after a long battle with cancer.   He was the special companion of Trudie McLellan of Portland. 

He was born in Portland, ME November 26, 1940 a son of the late Royal F. & Geraldine (Orne) Watson.  He grew up in Cape Elizabeth and Portland. 

He served his country, starting at the age of seventeen, by serving one tour with the US Marine Corps. 

Toot spent twenty seven years at Fairchild Semiconductor in South Portland, after retiring he went on to open his own business, a food wagon, called “Toots” in Standish, where he made his own homemade doughnuts on the spot. 

He was an avid outdoors man, belonging to several Snowmobile and ATV Clubs in the area.  Toot also enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping throughout Maine and New Hampshire. He was also a member of the American Legion Post as well as a season ticket holder to the Portland Pirates. 

Besides Trudie, he is survived by three sons Kevin M. L’Heureux and his wife Candace of Standish, Royal Watson and his wife Margaret of Windham and Steven Watson of Windham.  He also leaves three grandsons Kevin L’Heureux Jr. of Standish, Francis Watson of Windham and Owen Watson of Windham and one granddaughter Anastasia Hawes-Watson of Westbrook as well as two brother Tom Waston of Sebago and Jeff Watson of Hampton, NH and several nieces and nephews.  He was also the brother of the late Douglas Mallar who died January 16, 2014. 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the Wilde Memorial Chapel in Evergreen Cemetery, 672 Stevens Ave. Portland, ME. 

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

Wounded Warrior Project

150 Cambridge Park Drive

Suite 202

 

Cambridge, MA 02140