Louis P. “Pete” Blanchette, 80
Louis P. Pete Blanchette, 80, of Westbrook, died peacefully with his family at his side on Sept. 3, 2006, at a Portland hospital.
He was born in Westbrook, the son of Arthur and Maria Blanchet Blanchette. He attended St. Hyacinth School and trade school in Waltham, Mass.
Pete worked at Paine Heating, Blue Rock, did farming for 25 years, and worked at Union Mutual until his retirement. He owned a tool museum, Blanchette Museum in Palmyra.
He was a member of the Maine Farm Bureau, Maine Tree Farmer’s Association, Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation, Somerset County Soil and Water Conservation, was a commissioner of the Hendary County Soil and Water, a member of the state of Maine Conservation Committee, the Westbrook City Council for 14 years, the past president of the Greater Portland Council of Governments, a member of the Cumberland County Deputy Sheriff’s, the Lincoln Club, the Mason’s Temple Lodge 68 and Saccarappa Lodge, Scottish Rites in Westbrook, Shrine Temple in Bangor, Westbrook Kiwanis, Eagles, Westbrook Historical Society, Maine Historical Society, a lifetime member of the Scarborough Historical Society, the Franco-American Genealogy Association in Biddeford, the Florida Blacksmith’s Association, Midwest Tools Association, Maine Fly Wheelers Association, the American Legion on Dunn St., and was a Westbrook Milk Inspector.
Pete enjoyed researching his family’s genealogy, and spending his winters in LaBelle, Fla.
He was predeceased by a son, Walter in 1988; three brothers, Lucien Blanchet, Bill Blanchette, and Gerard Blanchet; and a sister Jeanette Kimball.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Stella Woronecka Blanchette of Westbrook; three sons, Chuck and wife Brenda of Saco, Peter of Buxton, and Jim of Westbrook; 10 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
Visiting hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Sept. 7 at Blais & Hay Funeral Home, 35 Church St., Westbrook. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 8 at St. Hyacinth Church. Interment will follow in St. Hyacinth Cemetery.
The family wishes to give a special thanks to the staff at Maine Medical Center’s 7th and 9th floors.
H. Merrill Luthe, 91
H. Merrill Luthe, 91, of Portland, died Sept. 3, 2006, at Fallbrook Woods following a brief illness.
He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., a son of Harry H. and Florence V. Luthe. At the age of 6 months, his family moved to Westbrook where he attended school and graduated from Westbrook High School in 1932. He went on to graduate from Northeastern Business College in 1935. He soon began working at Palmer Spring Company in Portland where he was a bookkeeper, salesman and branch manager. He worked at Palmer Spring for 46 years before retiring in 1980. In 1941, he married Jane Blanchard and celebrated their 51st anniversary in 1992, four months before her passing. He served in the U.S. Army from 1942-1945 and was a reservist from 1945-1954 and was discharged as a captain.
Merrill had a wide range of activities throughout his life. He joined the Boy Scouts in December 1927. He was a camper at Camp Hinds in 1928, and earned his Star Scout in 1929, Life Scout in 1930, Eagle Scout in 1931 and received Bronze, Gold and Silver Palms. He was assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 27, Troop 84 in Westbrook, Jr. Leader at Camp Hinds and Scoutmaster in Troop 84.
He was a member of Portland Kiwanis since 1940 and was president in 1950. He was a member of the Portland City Council from 1950-1959. From 1950-1951, he was a member of the Public Safety and Board of Appeals and from 1951-1952 was a member of the Public Safety Committee and Chairman for the Board of Appeals.
He was mayor and a member of Finance Committee from 1952-1953. He was chairman of the Finance Committee from 1953 to 1959 and was mayor from 1955 to 1956. He was a member of the Civil Service Commission from 1960-1967 where he was chairman three times. He was trustee at the Osteopathic Hospital from 1953-1977 where he was president from 1966-1977. He was director of the Maine Truck Owners Association to lifetime after being president from 1955-1956.
He was an organizer and the first president of Portland Chapter SPEBSQSA. He was chairman of the first Portland Town Meeting in 1950 in North Deering. He was a member and past trustee chairman of the North Deering Congregational Church. He was on the Salvation Army Advisory Board and was vice chairman from 1953 to the 1960s. He was also chairman for a fund drive for the Salvation Army Camp on Sebago in 1957. He was campaign director for the United Fund in 1961 and Director for UCS from 1958 to 1966. He received the Kiwanis Distinguished Citizen Award in 1961.
He was an 80-year veteran of the Pine Tree Council BSA where he was a member of the executive board, the 60 Plus Group and was president and finance chairman. He was awarded the Silver Beaver by Pine Tree Council BSA in 1959. He was an executive reservist for the Office of Emergency Preparedness from 1961 to 1967.
He was director of Economic Stabilization for the state of Maine from 1961 to 1967, appointed by Gov. Reed. He was a three-term board member for the Maine Institute for the Blind appointed by Governors Clauson, Muskie and Reed. He was a member of the PACE Committee in Portland and Kentucky Colonel Appointment in 1963. He was a Red Cross board member from 1981 to 1987, serving as chapter chairman his last year. He was a member of the Mayflower Society of Maine No. 1043, 11th from John Alden. He was a 80-year veteran of BSA.
He was pre-deceased by his wife, Jane Blanchard Luthe in 1992; and a sister, Marguerite Vail in 2005.
He is survived by a son, Richard and his wife Susan; granddaughter, Christine and her husband Vaughn Clark; grandson, Mark and his wife Jaime, all of Portland. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
His funeral will be at Jones Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home on Thursday, Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. followed by burial with military honors at Eastern Cemetery in Gorham.
Donations in his memory may be made to: Pine Tree Council BSA, 131 Johnson Road, Portland, Maine 04102.
Cynthia J. Anderson, 48
Cyndy Anderson, 48, Portland, passed away on Aug. 28, 2006.
She was born on April 4, 1958, in Pittsfield, Mass., the daughter of Carl Burton and Katherine Littlefield Anderson.
She was a 1976 graduate of Cape Elizabeth High School. After high school, Cyndy pursued her creative and service ambitions earning a degree in culinary arts at SMCC in 1978. She pursued her interest in service to others by participating in rape and suicide crisis hotlines for several years.
Cyndy became more interested in health care and completed her CNA certification at SMCC and worked at Ledgewood Manor in Windham. Continuing her work in Florida, Cyndy completed her bachelor’s degree in social psychology at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla.
During her time in Florida, Cyndy joined the Worker Sisters of the Holy Spirit, a covenant community. As Sister Cyndy Ambrose, she had a long and rewarding association with them, attending conferences, maintaining discussion groups and through constant outreach to the community at-large. Their support and prayers during her illness were very comforting as was the support of her family and friends.
Her family would also like to thank the Gibson Pavilion Nursing, Therapy and Medical staff for their outstanding care and compassion.
As a long time member of St. Ann’s in Windham, she served as chair for their outreach committee, and Strawberry Festival. Cyndy was also a delegate to the Episcopal General Convention and a delegate and chair on the Bishop’s Task Force on AIDS for the Diocese of Maine as well as the National Episcopal AIDS Coalition. She served as the Episcopal representative on the Maine Coalition for Intellectual Freedom
Cyndy was an avid reader, concerned about issues of personal freedom and ethics. She had managed a local bookstore and, most recently, volunteered at the Parsons Library in Alfred.
Cyndy is survived by a sister, Anita Bruhnke and her husband John; and nephews Nick and Jack of Spartanburg, S.C.; brother, Eric Anderson his wife Joan; and nieces Naomi and Bryanna of Gorham; brother, Bill Anderson his wife Katy; niece Alyssa and nephew Cooper of Hampden-Sydney, Va.; aunt Electa Allen of North New Portland; cousin Susanne Allen of Shapleigh; cousin Lisa Cook and her husband John; and cousin Emily of Alfred.
A service for Cyndy is scheduled on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 10 a.m., St. Ann’s Church in Windham.
Cyndy had asked that, if desired, donations can be made to either Worker Sisters of the Holy Spirit, Scholarship Fund, Box 596368, Ft. Gratiot, Mich. 48059 or Gibson Pavilion Nursing Staff, Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland, Maine 04102.
Doris E. Hughes, 101
Doris E. Hughes of Westbrook, beloved mother, grandmother, and
great-grandmother, died peacefully Aug. 14, 2006, at the Barron Center surrounded by loved ones.
Doris was born in Westbrook on March 7, 1905, a daughter of Charles E. and Blanche Taylor Curtis.
She married Clarence A. Hughes in June 1926. After marriage, Doris and her husband made their home in Westbrook, where they resided all their lives.
They established a local business, C. A. Hughes Oil Company. The business was started in the kitchen of their Main Street home, where Doris worked alongside her husband to provide a service to Westbrook and its neighboring towns. As the business grew, two rooms in the front of their home were converted into business offices. She was very influential in the success of this family business.
Doris was a lifetime member in the Mizpah Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Among her many talents, Doris enjoyed needlepoint, embroidery, crocheting, and baking for her family.
Doris was predeceased by her husband Clarence in 1969. She was also predeceased by four sisters, Florence Spencer, Helen Maddocks, Flora Hodgdon, Cora Martin; and two brothers, Chester Curtis, and Leroy Curtis.
She is survived by her daughters, Shirley H. Webber of Westbrook, and Mary Lou Richardson and her husband Carl of Windham. Doris had five grandchildren, Daniel Webber of Middleburg, Va., Deborah Webber of Westbrook, Lisa Richardson Varney of Lewiston, Lori Richardson Davis of Standish, and Carl H. Richardson of Raymond. Also surviving are six great-grandchildren, Jared Peters of Chesapeake, Va., Joshua Peters of Lewiston, Benjamin and Aimee Davis of Standish, and Erika and Jenna Richardson of Raymond; and many nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank Dr. J. Chase Rand and the staff at the Barron Center for their thoughtful and loving care extended to Doris during her stay.
A private family committal service was held at her graveside, and a memorial service celebrating her life was held at the Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church, Westbrook.
Arrangements were under the care of Bais & Hay Funeral Home, Westbrook.
Memorial donations may be made in Doris’ name to The Multiple Sclerosis Society, 170 U. S. Route 1, Falmouth, Maine 04105.
Donald R. Irish, 66
Donald R. Irish of Pownal passed away Aug. 27, 2006, after fighting a courageous battle with cancer. He passed peacefully, surrounded by his family who loved him.
Don was born Nov. 18, 1939, in Cumberland, one of seven children of Ormond W. and Marion A. Irish. He grew up in Pownal and attended Pownal schools. In 1969, he married Charlene Boullie of Westbrook and settled in Pownal, where they raised their three children. Don was a member of the North Pownal United Methodist Church, and worked as an ironworker at BIW for many years before starting his own lawn care business during retirement.
In his early years, Don was a pilot and enjoyed boating, snowmobiling and hunting. He was involved with Boy Scouts, the local fire department and his church. In recent years Don spent most of his time with his grandson Zachary. They spent long hours working in the yard and mowing the lawn.
He was predeceased by his wife, Charlene B. Irish, who died in 1991; a brother Vincent Irish, who died in 1988; and a sister-in-law Nancy Irish, who died in 2005.
He is survived by two daughters, Melinda A. Irish and her husband Michael Ward, Melanie D. Irish; a son, Donald O. Irish, all of Pownal; three brothers, Ormond Irish of West Gardner, Woody Irish and his wife Debbie of South Paris, and Richard Irish of Saco; two sisters, Glennis Deakin and her husband Arthur of Gray, Beverly O’Gara and her husband Bill of Westbrook; a foster daughter Debbie Smith of Portland; among numerous nephews and nieces; and grandson Zachary M. Ward of Pownal, who will miss him the most.
His services were held at the United Methodist Church, Pownal, followed by a graveside burial at Elmwood Road Cemetery.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to The Maine Cancer Foundation.
Lesley Parker Moulton, 87
World War II veteran, active in community
Lesley Parker Moulton, 87, of Buxton died on Aug. 29, 2006, at the Maine Medical Center in Portland.
He was born in Gorham on Sept. 12, 1918, the son of Charles Emery and Zora (Pease) Moulton.
As a boy he attended schools in Gorham and Buxton and graduated from S.D. Hanson High School in 1936.
Lesley proudly served his country during World War II by enlisting in the U.S. Army and served in the American theatre of operations as a small arms repairman.
In the mid to late 1940s, Lesley worked at the South Portland Shipyard as a welder.
For many years, he worked in the maintenance and mechanical department at Rogers Fibre Mill. Later he worked at Knowlton Machine and C.E. Noyes Tire Co.
Throughout his life, Lesley owned and operated a small engine repair shop at his home.
He was a member of the Buxton Center Baptist Church, a longtime caretaker of the Woodlawn Cemetery Association and other places around Buxton, the Buxton/Hollis Historical Society, and recently a member of the one-room schoolhouse committee, the Sokokis Riders Snowmobile Club, a lifelong member of the Good Sam Club, a member of the Rock Hound Club, and American Legion Post No. 130 in Bar Mills.
Lesley enjoyed caring and maintaining the grounds at Woodlawn Cemetery, attending the Fryeburg Fair, especially Woodsman’s Day, snowmobiling, hunting, working on various mechanical projects, and attending family reunions.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Frances (Libby) Moulton; a daughter, Nila Brooks; a brother, Maurice Moulton; and two sisters, Carolyn Marsh and Edna Young.
He is survived by two sons, Lesley P. Moulton Jr. of Wytopitlock, and Kenneth E. Moulton of Buxton; four daughters, Irene M. Starbird of Dayton, Betty Ann Weeman of Buxton, Nancy A. Moulton of Springfield, Va., and Janice A. Roye of Henderson, Nev.; one sister, Wayne Merrill of Cape Coral, Fla.; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service was held at Woodlawn Cemetery, Groveville Road in Buxton, followed by a reception at the Buxton Center Baptist Church.
Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Home, Buxton, was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial donations may be made to The Buxton Center Baptist Church, 938 Long Plains Road, Buxton, Maine 04093.
Richard A. Sullivan, 57
Former Westbrook city attorney
Richard A. Sullivan, 57, of South Portland, died unexpectedly Aug. 20, 2006, in Scarborough.
He was born in Portland on Nov. 27, 1948, the son of Richard A. and Jane Chapin Sullivan. He attended local schools, and was a graduate of Portland High School, class of 1967. He attended the University of New Hampshire, and graduated from Stanford University. Mr. Sullivan then graduated Franklin Pierce Law
School.
Rick was a member of the Maine State Bar Association, and was the former city attorney for the city of Westbrook for over 20 years.
An avid outdoorsman, he had also briefly been employed by L.L. Bean, and was currently employed by the Social Security Office of Hearings and Appeals.
Rick loved the outdoors and anything to do with it. He enjoyed playing tennis, fishing, boating, duck hunting, gardening, and golf. He was a member of the Racket and Fitness Center of Portland, and member of the Friends of the Scarborough Marsh.
Surviving is his wife of 16 years, Mary Lee Sullivan of South Portland; his mother Jane Sullivan of Freeport; a stepson, Sean James and his wife Karie of Candia, N.H.; his siblings, Phil Sullivan and his wife Helen of Jacksonville, Fla.; Claire Finley and her husband Bill of Portland, and their two children, Monica and Will; Janice Sullivan of Portland; and Dan Sullivan and his wife Sue of South Portland and their children John and Peter; two grandchildren, Liam James and Ryan James; an aunt Monica McInnis of Lewiston; as well as several cousins.
Funeral services were private.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Friends of Scarborough Marsh, Box 7029, Scarborough, Maine 04070.
Bernard K. Walls. 66
Very active in community
Bernard K. Walls, 66, of Machias, passed away unexpectedly Aug. 26, 2006, with his family by his side.
He was born Nov. 21, 1939, the son of Eva McKay and E. Kelsie Walls. He was a graduate of Hermon High School, class of 1958. He was a resident of Hermon for many years before relocating to Machias.
He married his high school sweetheart, Vivian Burgess, on Aug. 19, 1961. He loved to fish and hunt at his beloved camp on East Grand Lake.
Bernard was very active in his communities. He was a selectman in Hermon and Machias, and a member of the Federal Reserve and Maine State Guard. He was president of the Rotary Club in Machias and also a member of the Lion’s Club and Jaycees. He was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader.
His coaching spanned Pee-Wee basketball, Pony League baseball, high school baseball and Little League, of which he served as president and received the Sills Award, honoring his dedication and commitment. He was a charter member of the Machias Chamber of Commerce, serving for several years. He was a member of the Machias Airport Committee, and enjoyed his years as a local pilot.
Bernard was a member of the Holy Name Catholic Church and taught religion classes there. He taught hunter safety courses to local hunters and electrical courses to students at EMTC. Bernard was a valued member of the business community as the president and owner of Walls T.V. and Appliances in Machias for 36 years.
He was predeceased by his parents; and brothers, Dwight and Richard.
He is survived and will be missed greatly by Vivian, his wife of 45 years; sons, Scott Walls and wife Abby of Santa Rosa, Calif.; Randal and wife Leona Gagnon of Franklin; daughters Karen Fox and husband Elwood of Gorham; Mary Baily and husband Richard of Princeton; brother, Robin and wife, Robin, of Brunswick; sisters, Suzette Gallant and husband Bill, of Newhall, Calif.; Sharon
Stillman and husband Harland of Newburg; sister-in-law, Carol Finn and husband Joe of East Greenbush, N.Y.; brother-in-law, James Burgess and wife Teresa of Hermon; sister-in-law, Barbara Almeter and husband Jim of Bradenton, Fla.; aunt Alice Walls of El Paso, Texas; and special cousin Wayne Walls and wife, Judy.
He will be sadly missed by his special grandchildren Matthew Walls and Kassandra Walls of Santa Rosa, Calif.; Emerson Fox and Sydney Fox of Gorham; Kate Walls and Jacob Walls, of Franklin; as well as special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Services were held in Machias.
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