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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