Month: August 2016

Cornish, ME — Doris Arlene “Abbott” Ford, 88, of Cornish Maine, formerly The Villages Florida, died Saturday August 13, 2016 in her home after a long battle with cancer.  

She was born February 24, 1928 in Kennebunk Maine, the daughter of late Leon and Susie (Emmons) Abbott. 

Doris graduated from Traip Academy with the class of 1946.   She worked at the Pentagon, Executive Office of the President and retired from the Government Printing Office in 1976.  Doris was a gifted seamstress and prided herself on keeping her family fashionable.  She enjoyed traveling, dancing and playing cards.  She medaled in duplicate bridge at the Spruce Creek Country Club Senior Games in Summerfield, Florida.  Doris was excited to return home to Maine to enjoy time with family. 

Family members include her husband Gerald Ford of Cornish, Maine; granddaughter Kimberly Printy of Cornish, Maine; great granddaughter Emily Printy of Dover, NH; sister in law Joyce Abbott of Amesbury, MA; nephew Lee Abbott and his wife Marie of Chester, NH; niece Wendy Calderwood of Amesbury, MA; granddaughters Laura Perkins and Lisa Perkins Hauck and great grandson Jackson Tyler Hauk of Frederick, MD.  Mrs. Ford was pre deceased by her brother Bo Abbott of Amesbury, MA; daughter Susan Stoner of Port Angeles, WA, her grandson  Scott Ogden of Cape Coral, FL and Debra Abbott from North Hampton, NH.  

A private graveside service will be held for family at the Pine Grove Cemetery in West Kennebunk Maine.  

Westbrook – Harold A. Smith passed away August 29, 2016 just after reaching his 93^rd birthday.  Smitty was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Harold P. and Harriet Newcomb Smith, on August 17, 1923, the fourth of eight children.  He grew up and att

ended schools in the Mattapan area of Boston.  In January 1941 he joined the Navy and served in the South Pacific aboard the USS North Carolina throughout WWII, receiving a Purple Heart for injuries received from a misfiring gun in Turret 1.  He re-enlisted during the Korean War, serving aboard the USS Valley Forge.  

While the North Carolina was in for repairs in Portland, Maine he met Barbara Mitchell, exchanging letters while overseas and getting married in 1944.  They moved to Boston after WWII for a short stay, returning to Portland in 1948.  They raised their family in Portland, where Harold worked as a cabinet maker for McDonald’s Lumber & Windham Millwork.  He continued his career in the manufactured housing industry with New England Homes and Coastal Structures, eventually retiring from Roberts Office Supply.  

He was very proud of his naval service, chronicling those days in a self-published book, Naval Service of Harold A. Smith.  He participated in several crew reunions during his retirement making many trips to the North Carolina, now a museum in Wilmington, NC.  A particularly proud trip was in 2015 when he traveled to the reunion and was able to share his ship with his great grandson.  

Harold was active in Babe Ruth Baseball at the local, state, regional and national levels. He also loved hosting lobster feasts for family and Babe Ruth friends, becoming quite the sight with his chef hat and apron as he steamed lobsters and sipped on his scotch.  

Harold was predeceased by his parents, sisters Florence Durbin, Helen Natale, Dorothy Dunne; brothers Joseph and Robert; his second wife, Roberta Melendy Smith and his son, James H. Smith.  

He is survived by his brother Edward and wife Joan, California; his sister Ruth Peterson, New York; his children Tom and wife Lisa Cormier-Smith, Casco; Peter and his partner Gloria Charles, Utah; Betty Caton and husband Don, Portland; daughter-in-law, Joanne Kozlowski Smith; his grandchildren Matt and wife Kimberly Smith, Gorham; Trista Smith and partner, Craig Wilcox, Casco; Todd Smith and wife Ashley, Westbrook; Joel Smith, Utah, Luke Smith, California, Mike Caton and wife, Elizabeth, Boston; Sarah Caton and husband Eric Davidson, San Francisco; and Katie Caton, Portland.  Great grandchildren Keegan Wilcox and Elle Davidson. He is also survived by his first wife and friend, Barbara Mitchell Smith as well as several nieces and nephews.  

There will a graveside service on Saturday, September 3, 2016 at 11:00 am at Scarborough Memorial Cemetery, Old Blue Point Rd, Scarborough, ME.  

Smitty’s family wishes to thank the staff and nurses at Avita of Stroudwater for their care and compassion over the last few months, particularly in these last two weeks. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Harold’s memory to:

Friends of the Battleship North Carolina

Generations Campaign

Battleship NORTH CAROLINA

PO Box 480 

Wilmington, NC 28402. 

Augusta, ME – Ronald C. Bickford, 59, of Augusta died unexpectedly on Monday, August 22, 2016 at Maine General Hospital. 

He was born on October 22, 1956 in Easton, PA a son of the late Chester D. Bickford and Mary (Gale) Vandewalker.  He grew up in Watertown, NY, attending local area schools and graduating from Watertown High School in 1975. 

Ron loved the beach and baseball. He also volunteered his time in The Bridges Program in Watertown, NY. 

Besides his mother Mary, he is survived by two sisters, Connie Bickford of Dundee, NY and Ginny Jordan of Westbrook, ME and a brother Sherman Bickford of Westbrook, ME.  He was also the brother of the late Marsha Roch.

A Memorial Service will be held at the family’s convenience. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to your local food bank would be appreciated.

Arundel, ME – Raymond L. Ward, 72, of Arundel, Maine, passed Tuesday afternoon surrounded by loved ones.  He was the husband of Carol Ann (Paul) Ward. 

Born in Old Orchard Beach Maine, he traveled some but eventually settled down in Arundel.  He was well known in his community, and respected and revered by many. 

Ray’s profession of choice was auto body mechanics, and being his own boss enabled him to do what he loved for a living.  He was passionate about classic cars, boats, and American made motorcycles.  

Ray had many hobbies, but was most well-known for his carpentry, gardening, and cooking. His abomination for cold weather didn’t stop him during the bitter winter months, tapping trees to make his own maple syrup made it worthwhile.  Ray had a relentless drive to figure out how things worked and would tinker on practically anything.  He was always willing to help anyone in need and did so with a giving heart. 

Ray spent his years of retirement frequenting bluegrass festivals, and was adored by most everyone he came across.  He was known at these events as “Chicken Ray”, and wouldn’t be caught without his signature cowboy hat.  If he had charged for his famous fried chicken he would have brought in more revenue than the festivals themselves. 

Ray was predeceased by both parents, and his four sisters, Joan, Pauline, Bertha, and Delia; as well as his oldest son Scott of Guilford. 

He is survived by his wife Carol Ward of Arundel, his children: Vanessa St. Pierre and her husband Dale of Summerville, S.C., Mark Wormwood of Wellington, Israel Gardner of Arundel, Raymond Jr. Location unknown and Andrea York of Arundel; his six grandchildren, Makara and Brent Gardner, Erin St. Pierre, & Maggie-Rae, Aubri and Kaius York, and his nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a special group of individuals that he would often call his extended adopted family, who shall lovingly be referred to as the “Bluegrass Mafia of Angels.” 

Services will be private.

Sandra Strout, 77, of Poland, passed away Thursday, August 18 at her home surrounded by her family. 

Sandra Florice Maxwell was born February 26, 1939 to Verge Morrell & George Maxwell of Gray, Maine. 

Sandra enjoyed spending time with her family, drinking morning tea with her daughter’s, and weekend long trips to camp! 

Sandra was married to Raymond Arthur Strout on July 30, 1955. They just celebrated 61 years of marriage! 

Survived by her (Husband) Raymond A. Strout, (Daughter’s) Roberta Darlene Douglass, Melinda Pauline Whitworth, and Rachel Abrena Strout, and many Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren, and Great Great-Grandchild. 

Thank you to Auburn Hospice for the home visits and making sure our wife/mom was comfortable.  

Family & Friends will be notified when celebration of life will take place. 

Lewiston, ME – Dennis E. Whitmore, 72, of Lewiston died on Saturday, August 20, 2016 at Central Maine Medical Center. 

He was born in Bangor, ME on October 13, 1943 a son of the late Albert & Katherine (Perkins) Whitmore.  Dennis served his country in the United States Air Force entering the day after his seventeenth birthday. 

He was an oil burner mechanic who serviced equipment in many locations for over forty years.  Dennis enjoyed gardening, music of all kinds, watching the Red Sox and Patriots, old westerns, fishing, cooking and loved his pets. He had fond memories of his childhood growing up in Bangor, ME, his adventures in Greenland and was married twice, to Connie and Karen. 

He is survived by two sons; Kristopher Whitmore and his wife Michelle of Dedham, ME and Dennis Hollyfield of NC and four daughters; Kathryn Whitmore and her partner, John of South Portland, ME, Koreen Whitmore and her partner, Shawn of Franklin, ME,  Karrie Swindler and her husband, Michael of Westbrook, ME  and Vicki Simmons of NC. He also leaves grandchildren Hailey, Reagan, Leah, Ethan and Austin as well as a sister-in-law Maryellen Whitmore of Fort Myers, FL, a niece, Nadine and nephew, Albie.  He was also the brother of the late Al Whitmore.  

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a graveside service on Friday, September 2, 2016 at 10 a.m. at the Veterans’ Cemetery, 163 Mount Vernon Road, Augusta.

Portland, ME – Bruce Howard Burbank, 34, of Portland died on Thursday, August 18, 2016 at Maine Medical Center after an illness. 

He was born in Portland, ME on February 14, 1982, a son of Bruce E. Lombard and Joan M. Burbank both of Portland and attended local area schools. 

Bruce was greatly into drawing and painting and was very artistic.  He also liked to walk and was constantly helping others, specially the elderly. 

Besides his parents, he is survived by his girlfriend Kelly Parker of Portland, two children Abigail  and Mackenzie and his sister Amy Smith and her husband Jeff of Biddeford.  He also leaves a two nieces Emma and Taylor and a nephew Mason. 

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Preble Street Resource Center; Shawna, Hillary and Bill, your love was not wasted. 

 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a graveside service on Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 10 a.m. at Forest City Cemetery, 232 Lincoln Street, South Portland, ME.

Portland, ME – Ronald T. Vezina Sr., 55, of Portland died on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House after a long illness.  He was the husband of Kathleen J. Sinclair-Vezina. 

He was born on April 16, 1961 in Portland, ME, a son of Phillip E. Vezina Sr. and Dolores (Greene) Andrews and her husband Roger Andrews Sr. of Standish.  He grew up in Portland until high school when they moved to Standish and he graduated from Bonny Eagle High School. 

Ron was a truck driver for many years and traveled all over the United States and said his best time was when his son Ronald Jr. would go with him; they would have lots of fun spending time together. 

Ronnie loved to be near the ocean and going up to hunting camp with his step father Roger and his brother Roger Jr.  They would have the time of their lives with friends, playing cards and have a few drinks.  He also enjoyed the Syfy channel and recently started reading books about the war and making models. 

Besides his wife Kathleen, he is survived by his son Ronald T. Vezina Jr. and his wife Erica of Naples, ME, two daughters Jamie Vezina of Florida and Brittany Vezina of Naples, ME and two granddaughters Emily and Rylee.  He also leaves one sister and three brothers and several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life at the Sinclair residence, 76 Little River Road, Gorham, ME on Saturday August 20, 2016 from 1 – 4 p.m. 

 

In lieu of flowers, please bring a dish or dessert, something without peanuts please.

South Portland, ME — Arthur J Barrett, Jr. of South Portland, ME passed away on Thursday, August 11, 2016. He was born in 1944 in Berlin, NH to Arthur and Mildred. He was a devoted son, a graduate of Deering High School in Portland, ME, and proudly served in the Army during the Vietnam War.  

Arthur was generous, thoughtful, and historically impatient. He was a wealth of knowledge on all aspects of aviation, history, and exotic locations. He was a loyal Patriots fan dating back to the Boston years and was known for his impressive collection of memorabilia and amazingly decorated cars. 

He was a bugle player who took pride in playing Taps for fellow veterans as part of the American Legion. He was an incredible artist known for his illustrations and caricatures. He was a collector to his core and adored perusing Goodwill stores and local flea markets. 

He was immensely fond of the nursing staff in Podiatry at TOGUS and his fellow residents at Ridgeland Estates. 

He is survived by his daughters, Laurie Burgess and Erika Barrett; his son in law, Tim Burgess; his beloved granddaughter, Tabitha Burgess; his ex-wife and close friend, Fran Barrett; his brother, Mike Barrett and sister in law, Louise Barrett. 

Arthur was a shining example of a giving spirit and a curious heart. He will be deeply missed by all those he has touched. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Easter Seals or the American Diabetes Association.