Lenora Berry, 93
Taught in rural one-room schools
Lenora (Nonie) Berry, 93, Gorham, died on Sept. 4, 2006, at the Gorham House where she had resided since January 2002.
Lenora was born in Buxton on Jan. 5, 1913, the youngest child of Frank and Susan (Flood) Berry. She graduated from S.D. Hanson High School in Buxton in 1929, and from Gorham Normal School in 1932. She received her BS Degree in
Education from Gorham State Teachers College.
Miss Berry taught in the rural one-room schools of Buxton and Hollis until 1947 when she began teaching in Saco where she retired from in 1972. She maintained contact with several pupils and teachers over the following years.
She enjoyed many bus tours in the U.S. and Canada, including a trip to Hawaii. The New York World’s Fair in 1939 was a highlight of her memories.
Nonie crocheted many afghans and made plastic canvas items, especially boxes. She researched the family genealogy tracing her lineage to the Mayflower. Reading, word puzzles and jig sawpuzzles were favorites until the loss of her eyesight. She drove her car until her 90th birthday.
Lenora is predeceased by her brother Leroy Berry; and sister Leola Berry.
Aunt Nonie is survived by a niece Althea Irish of Gorham; two nephews, Carlton Berry and his wife Lois of Buxton, and Earl Berry and wife Katie of South Portland. She is also survived by many grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.
A graveside service was held at East Buxton Cemetery in Buxton. Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Home of Buxton was in charge of arrangements.
If desired, memorial donations can be made to The Gorham House Activity Fund, 50 New Portland Road, Gorham, Maine 04038.
John Bowden, 86
Veteran of two wars, lifelong seaman
There will be a private graveside service at John’s request at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta.
Memorial donations may be sent to Deaf Community Skills, 353 Cumberland Avenue, Portland, ME 04101.
Shirley Thomas Carter, 79
Worked 40 years at paper mill
Shirley Thomas Carter, 79, of Westbrook, passed away Sept. 11, 2006, with her family at her side.
She was born May 16, 1927, in South Portland, the daughter of Nellie Thomas. She was educated in South Portland schools and worked for 40 years at the S. D. Warren Company of Westbrook.
Shirley is survived by her husband of 61 years, Clarence ; her son Blaine; and her two grandchildren, Melissa and Jason and their families.
Shirley will be remembered as a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother and great-grammy. She was a well-respected member of the Casco Bay Dog Club for over 50 years, training many champion dogs. She held her dogs close to her heart as well as the many many friends she made through the years.
It was Shirley’s wish that there not be a funeral or a memorial service, rather, she be held warmly in the hearts of friends and family forever and her memory bring a smile to your face.
Charitable donations can be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society of Maine.
Michael A. Churchill, 20
Michael A. Churchill, 20, of Westbrook died Sept. 10, 2006 in a Portland hospital.
He was born in Portland, a son of Michael and Ellen Burnham Churchill. He was raised, educated and lived in Westbrook, all of his life. He enjoyed painting, writing, he was very active in outdoor activities, sports and being with his friends.
He is survived by his parents; great-grandmother, Rita Minervino;
grandmother, Jackie Richards; and grandparents, Richard and Doris Burnham; a brother, Justin; and sister Amanda.
Services were at Blais & Hay Funeral Home, Westbrook, with interment in St. Hyacinth Cemetery.
Maurice J.C. Clark Jr., 57
Maurice J.C. Clark Jr., 57, of Buxton died Sept. 10, 2006, at his home.
He was born in Oakland, Calif., the son of Maurice C. and Frances Baker Clark Sr.
J.C. is survived by his wife Joene; two sons, Ben Clark of Windsor, and Maurice C. Clark III of Limington; a daughter, Tamara Clark; two brothers, Carroll Clarke of Monmouth, and Arthur Clark of New Gloucester; and a sister, Barbara Stone of New Gloucester. He is also survived by three grandchildren.
A graveside service was held at Chase Cemetery, Highland Cliff Road, Windham. Arrangements are by Dolby Funeral Chapel, Windham.
William Coburn, 60
Honored for service during Vietnam War
William Coburn, 60,Topsham died Sept. 9, 2006, at Maine Medical Center in Portland following a long illness.
He was born Sept. 3, 1946, in Portland, a son of Fred and Eleanor A. (Arey) Coburn. He was educated in Portland and graduated from Portland High School with the Class of 1964. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Maine at Orono graduating in 1968.
Mr. Coburn served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart while in service.
William was employed as a bartender at Joshua’s Restaurant and Tavern in Brunswick for over 30 years.
Mr. Coburn is survived by his mother Eleanor A. Coburn of Portland; two sisters, June A. MacMillan of Portland and Janice E. Ananian of Exeter, N.H.; one brother Richard F. Coburn of Delta, Colo.; and several nieces and nephews.
William’s family would like to offer their a heartfelt thank you to the Siatras family, the employees and the patrons of Joshua’s Restaurant and Tavern in Brunswick as well as William’s dear friends, Jay and Heather Bettencourt of Gorham, for the support and friendship they offered to William and his family for many years. Their kind deeds will never be forgotten.
Memorial donations may be made to MDA, ALS Division, 3300 E. Sunrise Drive, Tucson, AZ 85718.
Thomas S. Furnas, 79
Retired from Postal Service
Thomas S. Furnas, 79 of Windham, formerly of South Portland, died Sept. 11, 2006 at Maine Medical Center.
He was born in Portland, a son of Alfred and Mary O’Connell Furnas, and attended local schools.
He was employed for 34 years with the U. S. Postal Service and was a letter carrier until his retirement. He was a member of the Letter Carrier Union.
Mr. Furnas served in the U. S. Navy during World War II, in the South Pacific.
Besides his wife of 41 years, Lillian (Sirois) Furnas of Windham, he leaves a stepson, Fred Tardif of Buxton; a setpdaughter, Paulette Bernier of San Diego, Calif; a brother, Jack Furnas of Florida, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were held at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.
Memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society.
Elizabeth Gardner, 72
Elizabeth (Betty) Gardner, 72, of Buxton died on Sept. 11, 2006, at her residence.
She was born in Biddeford on Aug. 20, 1934, a daughter of John Sr. and Florence (Plummer) Drew. She attended schools in Hollis and graduated from Hollis High School.
For many years, Betty worked for the Buxton / Hollis Hospital in the kitchen, and for National Semiconductor.
She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Bar Mills Fire Department and sold goodies at Hollis baseball games. She enjoyed fishing, hunting, cooking, and spending time with her family.
She was predeceased by a sister, Natalie Smith; and two brothers, Edwin and Robert Drew.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Kenneth F. Gardner; two sons, James Gardner of Hiram, and Michael Gardner of Old Orchard Beach; a daughter, Susan Drew-Gardner of Philadelphia, Pa.; a brother, John Drew Jr. of Buxton; three nieces, Debby Drew-Walker of Mississippi, Roxanne Drew of Connecticut and Jenny Drew of Connecticut; and many other friends and family.
At Betty’s request, there will be no services. Burial will be at South Buxton Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Home – Buxton
Julia Catherine Gaythwaite, 85
Julia Catherine Gaythwaite, 85, of St. Petersburg, Fla., died
Sept. 3, 2006, at Bay Pointe Nursing Pavilion in St. Petersburg, Fla.
She was born in Ipswich, Mass. and moved to St. Petersburg, Fla. in 1980 from Winchester, Mass. She was a volunteer for Lakewood Elementary School, Suncoast Girl Scouts, the Tampa Bay Harvest and the Florida Holocaust Museum. She was of the Episcopalian faith.
She is survived by her two daughters, Susan and John Loftus of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Martha and John Gaythwaite of Gorham; her son, William and Curtis Gaythwaite of Maplewood, N.J.; her three sisters, Margaret MacArthur of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Betty Ann Glavin of Billerica, Mass., and Roberta Bocko of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; and fou grandchildren.
Brenda A. Kirk, 43
Enjoyed music, family and friends
Brenda A. Kirk, 43, of Westbrook died Sept. 9, 2006 as a result of an automobile accident.
She was born in Portland, a daughter of David and Marie Annette Joyce Tondreau. She was raised and educated in Westbrook and attended Westbrook High School. She had been employed by Sebago Moc for many years.
She loved life and lived it to the fullest, She enjoyed music, dancing, family and many, many friends. She has asked to tell everyone that she had hurt in her lifetime, to forgive her.
She leaves her mother; father; her son, David Wayne of Westbrook; sister, Jacqueline Joyce of Windham; brother, Peter Joyce Jr. of Westbrook; two nieces, Kelsie Berry, Nevaeh Joyce; and aunts and uncles.
Memorial services were held at Blais & Hay Funeral Home, Westbrook.
Mary L. Knox, 90
Longtime Westbrook resident
Mary L. Knox, 90, of Westbrook died Sept. 12, 2006 at the Barron Center in Portland.
She was born in Portland, a daughter of Edward C. and Lucy LaViolette Roast. She was raised and educated in Portland and moved to Westbrook 68 years ago, when she married her husband. Mary was a homemaker and enjoyed knitting.
She is survived by her husband of 68 years Edward J. Knox; a daughter, Judith Norman of North Yarmouth; a son, James Arthur Knox of Beverly Hills, Fla.; grandchildren, Joshua, Adam, Jed and Michael Norman and Carolyn and Deborah Knox.
Her funeral was held at Blais & Hay Funeral Home, Westbrook. Interment will be in the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Augusta.
Arline E. McAllan, 85
Worked at Barron Center, St. Joseph’s Manor
Arline E. McAllan, 85, of Westbrook, died Sept. 9, 2006, at the Barron Center in Portland following a long illness.
She was born in Bangor on Jan. 19, 1921, the daughter of Frank W. and Neva Grindell Warren.
Following high school, Arline attended Westbrook College where she received her degree as a C.N.A. and had worked several years at Saint Joseph Manor and the Barron Center in Portland.
She was a former member of St. Pius X Church and a member of both the V.F.W. and American Legion in Westbrook.
Her husband, Francis (Chink) McAllan died in January of 2004.
She is survived by one son, John McAllan of Westbrook; one daughter, Sandra Profenno of Portland; one brother, Sonny Warren of Vinalhaven; and one sister, Onalee Hopkins of Bass Harbor. There are 11 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at the chapel of Independent Death Care, Portland, Maine. Interment will be in the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
Priscilla A. McFarland, 82
Enjoyed camping, traveling, fishing
Priscilla A. McFarland passed away peacefully, Sept. 6, 2006, at her home in Gorham under hospice care, after a long illness. She was surrounded by family and friends.
Priscilla was born in Westbrook, Sept. 20, 1923, the daughter of Elmer and Flora Currier. She graduated from Westbrook High School, and went to work in the payroll department at the South Portland Shipyard.
On June 5, 1944, Priscilla married Harold (John) A. McFarland. Later, she went to work in the office at the S.D. Warren Co.
Priscilla belonged to the Westbrook Women’s Club, the Daughters of Isabella, and the Westbrook Extension Club. She enjoyed many years of camping, fishing, traveling, and playing cards with her friends. Her favorite times were spent with her family.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Harold, of Gorham; her daughter, Gaye Lapomarda and her husband Pasquale of Portland; her son, Terry McFarland and his wife Carol of Westbrook; her grandchildren, Pasquale III and his wife
ShawnElise, Julie and her husband Matt, Sara, Kristy and her husband John, and Kevin; and her great-grandchildren, Pasquale IV, Maddalena and Anthony.
The family would like to express our thanks for the wonderful care given by Hospice of Southern Maine, especially our nurse, Meg and our Hospice heath care worker, Kris.
A memorial service was held at Blais & Hay Funeral Home in Westbrook.
If desired, a donation may be made in Priscilla’s memory to Hospice of Southern Maine, 901 Washington Ave., Portland, Maine 04103.
Molly J. Mellen, 46
Molly J. Mellen, 46, Portland, passed away Sept. 11, 2006 at Maine Medical Center after courageous battle with cancer.
She was born in Vernon, Conn. in 1959 and attended schools n South Portlnd.
She moved to Texas and then returned to Maine, where she resided in the Portland area. She especially loved living on Peaks Islnd where she was self-employed.
Molly most recently lived in Portland with her fiance, James McCellen for the past 16 years.
She is survived by her sisters Linda Pendexter of South Waterford, Kelly Cook of South China and Rosa Woodbury of Gorham; brothers Frank Marr of Rumford, Robert Frankl , Jr. of South Portland and John Frankl of Limington; and many
nieces and nephews.
She will be sadly missed by family and friends.
If desired, a donation may be made in Molly’s memory to The Cancer Center for Detection & Prevention, Box 9715, Portland, Maine 04104.
A. Raymond Morin, 86
World War II veteran, retired from Postal service
A. Raymond Morin, 86, formerly of Westbrook, died Sept. 9, 2006 at the Maine Veterans Center, with his wife and children by his side.
He was born in Westbrook, a son of Arthur and Adeline Morin. He was raised and educated in Westbrook, graduating from Westbrook High School in 1937. He attended Portland Junior College.
From there he went on to complete a four year apprenticeship at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. One year later he enlisted in the Marine Corps and spent the proudest four years of his life with them. He was in the first wave to hit the beach at Bourgainville in the South Pacific. After duty on Guadalcanal, he returned to the States, where he was in charge of a small outpost on Long
Island; after the war he returned to finish his apprenticeship at the Navy Yard.
Ray was later employed by the Postal Service in Westbrook, he retired as Foreman of mails in 1976. While in the Postal Service, he worked as local President and State V.P. of the Postal Clerks Union, traveling the entire state in that capacity.
In his teens, he was a charter member of the Crusaders Club, a Catholic youth organization and was instrumental in making it possible for them to buy their own private clubhouse. In the 60s and 70s he served as Assistant Scoutmaster and then Scoutmaster of Troop 87 of St. Hyacinth Church.
In 1975, he married June Caron and celebrated 61 years of a happy marriage this year.
He was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, a member of the D.A.V., the American Legion, past member of the Westbrook Lions club.
He leaves his wife June; a daughter, Ann Morin of Winthrop; his son, Richard and wife Marie (whom Ray loved as a second daughter) Morin of Kennebunk; two granddaughters, Leslie B. and husband Jeff Nelson, Lynne Bourassa and companion
Peter Deuel; three grandsons, Jason, Dan and Andrew Morin; two
great-grandchildren, Cooper and Avery Nelson; and a sister, Jeannette Emanuelle of Hallendale, Fla.
A memorial Mass was held at St. Hyacinth Church, followed by interment in St. Hyacinth Cemetery. Arrangements were under the care of Blais & Hay Funeral Home, Westbrook.
The family wishes to thank the care givers at the Maine Veterans Home for the loving care they gave Ray and all of us. They are truly Angels of Mercy.
Memorial donations may be made to The Ronald McDonald House, 250 Brackett St., Portland, Maine 04102.
Francis (Frank) H. Sleeper, 79
Over 50 years as reporter, author, editor
Francis Frank H. Sleeper, 79, of Portland passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 8, 2006, after a long struggle with prostate cancer.
Prior to moving to Portland, Frank lived and raised his family in Cape Elizabeth.
Frank was a lifelong resident of New England. He was born on Aug. 4, 1927, in Worcester, Mass., the son of Dr. Francis H. Sleeper and Ruth Putnam Sleeper, both born in Houlton, who themselves had longstanding ties to New England, and
especially Maine. His father was Superintendent of the Augusta Mental Health Institute for more than 17 years from 1945 through 1962.
In 1945, Frank graduated as co-valedictorian of his high school class in Winchester, Mass. He then earned a bachelor of arts degree from Harvard University in 1949, and went on to receive master of arts degrees in international relations from American University in 1950, and Princeton University in 1952. He
was awarded a Fulbright fellowship which he pursued in Egypt in 1952-1953. He always maintained a keen interest in the Middle East writing a four-part series on the Middle East for the Portland Press Herald in 1956, as well as subsequent articles.
In 1983, Frank returned to that region and wrote several more articles about his new adventures in then worn-torn Lebanon (including his brief seizure by Syrian soldiers). He was later contacted by the U.S. State Department about the knowledge he had gained during his visit.
After returning from Egypt in 1953, Frank was hired as a reporter for the Portland Press Herald, the Portland Evening Express and what was then the Portland Sunday Telegram. He remained a reporter to the newspaper, and its affiliates, for almost four decades and became the newspaper’s Business Editor in 1961. Over the next several decades, Frank extensively covered all aspects of Maine’s economy for the newspaper. For his reporting, he received several awards and other recognition, including, in 1981, the first ever economic and industrial
development award given by the Industrial Council of Maine for outstanding individual contributions to promote, strengthen and further the economic growth of Maine. He was also able to combine his knowledge of international relations and Maine business through endeavors such as being the only New England
journalist to be invited on extensive tours of West Germany in 1965 and 1975, with particular focus on developments of interest to Maine industry.
Beginning in 1958 and lasting until last November, Frank was also the Maine correspondent for Time, Life, Sports Illustrated and Fortune magazines. In May, 1965, he was fortunate to be asked to cover the heavyweight title fight between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston held in Lewiston. Before this famous fight,
Frank interviewed Ali during a short jog they took together along the Maine Turnpike. Frank was ringside on the evening of May 25, 1965 when Liston was knocked out in the first round with what became known as the controversial phantom punch thrown by Ali. He went on to maintain his interest in boxing for many
years to follow, including attendance at bouts regularly held at the Portland Exposition Building.
Over the years, Frank also wrote for various other publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Down East magazine, the Maine Journal, the New Englander, and the Nation. After his retirement from the Portland newspapers, he wrote and compiled several pictorial histories for Arcadia Publishing, the leading
local history publisher in the U.S. These included volumes on, among others, Portland, Margaret Chase Smith’s Skowhegan, Houlton, Baxter State Park and the Allagash River, Augusta, the Upper St. John Valley, the Farmington and Sugarloaf region, the Buxton, Hollis and Limington area, and Winchester, Mass.
Frank was also involved in a number of charitable and community activities. He was a former member and vestryman at St. Albans Episcopal Church in Cape Elizabeth. Following in the footsteps of his father, he was also a 50-year member of the Masons (32nd degree).
Frank had lived in Maine for more than half a century and was particularly fond of the State, the Portland area, and New England in general and had many acquaintances and friends throughout the region. He was also a lifetime fan of the Boston Red Sox, having thankfully been able to see them win the World
Series finally in 2004. He continued to follow them through this current season.
He was predeceased by his parents; as well as his son, Keith Garland Sleeper, in 1981.
He is survived by his son, Bruce Sleeper and his wife Jody, of Portland; as well as his son, Eric Sleeper and his wife Andrea of Princeton, N.J. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Manya, Adam, Noah, Danielle and Ryan Sleeper.
Frank’s family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Hospice of Southern Maine, the local Meals-on-Wheels program of the Salvation Army, Able to Stay Home Care, and Frank’s caring friends, Aline Jones and Annie Soda, for their care and comfort of him during this past year and more. We will miss you dad!
It was Frank’s wish that if desired, memorial donations be made to: The Keith Sleeper Memorial Scholarship Fund, Cape Elizabeth High School, 345 Ocean House Road, Cape Elizabeth, Maine 04107.
William P. Tarbox, 39
Enjoyed fishing, hunting
William Paul Tarbox, age 39, of Buxton, died unexpectedly on Sept. 11, 2006 in Portland.
He was born in Saco on Nov. 17, 1966, a son of William E, Tarbox and Jennifer (Short) Gaynor. He attended Thornton Academy in Saco.
Throughout his life, William has been known as a skilled craftsman, especially with welding. Recently, William had been working as a welder at Coastal Equipment.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting, ice fishing, snowboarding and most important, spending time with his children.
He was predeceased by his brother Jeffrey T. Tarbox; and paternal grandparents, William w. Tarbox and Rose Roell.
He is survived by three children: Shayne-Lynne Varney, Waterboro; Amber Marie Tarbox, Newfield; and William Jeffrey Tarbox of Newfield. He is also survived by his parents, William E. Tarbox and his wife Patricia of Saco and Jennifer A. Gaynor and husband, Ronald, of Buxton; two sisters, Deborah A. Popham,
Buxton and Christine Jury of Saco; his maternal grandparents, Alfred Short and Alice Pease; and many other family members and friends.
His funeral service was held at Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Home, Buxton.
William M. Trask, 51
Loved the Red Sox
William (Billy) Mason Trask, 51, died unexpectedly at his home in Old Orchard Beach on Sept. 1, 2006.
He was born in Caribou in 1955, and was the beloved child of the late Rev. Joseph Mason Trask and Elizabeth MacDonald Trask of Southwest Harbor. He attended Lenox School, winning the G. Gardner Monks Award, and graduated from Vermont Academy, winning the Shanaham Cup. He graduated from Nasson College with a B.A. in Political Science in 1978, earning the Senior Cup for outstanding leadership and scholarship.
He worked for Honeywell, Inc., and later for the Department of Defense on the Star Wars Project, doing security work in Kwajalien, Marshall Islands. Bill was also employed as Human Resources manager for James River Corporation in Old
Town, and for General Signal Corporation in Pittsfield. During the middle to late 1980s, he was employed at Liberty Mutual and Gallagher-Bassett Services, both in Portland. Bill was very interested and active in politics, working on several political campaigns. He also tirelessly fought for equal rights for the mentally ill in Federal Court and in the Maine Legislature, which made him a pioneer for the mentally ill.
His twins, Robert and Elizabeth, were the lights of his life. He was very proud of them and loved them dearly. He was a very caring and involved dad, and was always there to cheer on his kids. He never missed a game or school event, and also coached basketball, baseball, and volunteered with his son’s Boy
Scout troop. Bill always loved to entertain, and his barbecues were not to be missed. He enjoyed his summer and times in the beautiful nature of Mt. Desert Island. Some of his favorite activities included hiking, fishing, golfing, and being with friends and family.
Bill passionately loved the Boston Red Sox from the age of five until the day he died. He could always be seen proudly wearing a Red Sox hat or jacket. Trips to a Red Sox game with Bill were adventures not to be forgotten. While traveling on the turnpike, many times he would pay the toll for the car behind him
as an act of kindness that he enjoyed. On trips to Boston, a stop at the Hilltop Steak House was a must, and a stop at Kowloon’s was essential on the way home. He insisted on arriving at Fenway Park at least three hours before game start in order to mingle with the crowds. He was always an enthusiastic fan,
and to be sitting near Bill in the stands was a hoot for all.
He was a trivia buff of sports and American history. His heroes were John Wayne and Red Sox legend Tony Conigliaro, whose life and times were admired by Bill for his tenacity and resilience. Bill lived his life to the fullest and his strong faith in God helped him through many dark times.
Bill is survived by his twin children, Robert Joseph and Elizabeth Mary, and his former wife and friend, Suzanne Lord Trask, all of Westbrook. He also leaves several aunts, uncles, and cousins on Mt. Desert Island and in Massachusetts.
Services were held in Southwest Harbor and a Celebration of Life was planned to be held in Portland.
At the request of William, those who wish may make gifts and donations in William’s memory to a college trust fund for his children, Robert and Elizabeth: Ocean Communities FCU, Box 304, 2 Cascade Road, Old Orchard Beach, Maine 04064.
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