Madeline B. Greenwood Sylvia, 95

Nicknamed Tillie as a longtime waitress

Madeline B. (Greenwood) Sylvia, 95, passed away Thursday, July 27, 2006, at Ledgewood Manor where she had been a resident since October 2005.

She was born on Munjoy Hill in Portland, and grew up in Libbytown, the daughter of Walter H. and Grace E. (Martell) Greenwood.

Nicknamed Tillie, she was a waitress in the Portland area for many years.

Her first husband, Thomas J. Maley died in 1949. Her second husband, Albert Sylvia, died in 1984. They had made their home in Massachusetts for many years, but returned to Maine to be closer to her family. She was also predeceased by her parents; a brother, Richard Greenwood and two sisters, Caroline and Viola.

Surviving her are a sister, Betty Grover of Cherryfield; two sons, Thomas J. Maley Jr. of Westbrook, and George W. Maley; a daughter, Caroline Curtis and her husband Ronald of Standish; nine grandchildren; three special grandchildren who gave her much love and care: Steven A. Curtis, Bernice Landry and Ronda (Curtis) Kenney; 14 great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and cousins.

Private graveside service will be held at Forest City Cemetery, South Portland. Rev. Normand Carpentier will officiate. The family would like to express its thanks to those special hearts at Ledgewood whose care and devotion have meant so much.

Melville Earle Bradbury, 75

Retired from S.D. Warren after 33 years

Melville Earle Bradbury, 75, of River Road, died on July 26, 2006, at the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough.

He was born in Hollis on Jan. 17, 1931, a son of Ivory Joseph Bradbury Sr. and Ethel Elizabeth (Knight) Bradbury.

As a boy, he attended Hollis schools and graduated from Hollis High School in 1950.

Melville served his country by enlisting in the National Guard for three years and enlisting in the U.S. Air Force for four years.

In January 1955, he married his beloved wife Barbara while stationed in England.

He worked at the Sebago Moc for five years, and retired from S.D. Warren in 1993 after 33 years of employment.

Mr. Bradbury served his community by being a Hollis fireman for 20 years.

He loved his family and his pets, Lucky and Kitty Cat, and was very proud of his large vegetable garden. Melville was known for giving away a lot of the vegetables that he grew to friends and family.

He is predeceased by his parents; three brothers and two sisters.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Barbara Bradbury; four sons, Mike Bradbury and his wife Anita of Waterboro, Brian Bradbury and his wife Rita of Hollis, Glenn Bradbury and his wife Pam of Hollis, and Gary Bradbury of Hollis; nine grandchildren, Chris, Michelle, Danny, Amanda, Jen, Kelly, Aimee, Joey, and Chase; a brother, Douglas Bradbury and his wife Alice; sister-in-law, Edna Bradbury; a sister, Beverly MacDonald and her husband Paul; brother-in-law, Lucene Bill Owen; sister-in-law, Kathleen Sutton and her husband Vic of Christchurch, New Zealand and many nieces and nephews.

Michael Joseph Greeley Jr., 79

Once spent 18 months at sea

Michael Joseph Greeley Jr., 79, died Wednesday, July 26, 2006, at Sedgewood Commons after a long illness.

He was born in Portland on Nov. 15, 1926, a son of Michael J. Sr. and Barbara Foley Greeley. He attended Cathedral Grammar School and Cheverus High School.

Mr. Greeley served in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the U.S.S. Alaska. During his service in the Navy, he once spent 18 months at sea, where he did not see land during this time. Mr. Greeley was involved in the recovery efforts of the U.S.S. Franklin.

Mr. Greeley retired from the Portland Fire Department after over 20 years of service.

He was involved in the ILA Union and Amvets. He was a member of the Harold T. Loring VFW Lodge, and participated in the Holy Name Society at St. Pius X Church.

He is predeceased by his parents; and his former wife, Georgia Mullins Greeley who passed away 13 years ago; his brothers, Martin Greeley and John Greeley; his sisters, Anne Vickerson and Mary Kelley.

He is survived by his daughter, Charlotte Hallworth and her husband Richard of Boxford, Mass.; his son, Michael J. Greeley of Chicago, Ill.; sister-in-laws, Barbara Greeley of Scarborough, Joan Greeley of Westbrook; and Stephanie Dakin and her husband John of Gray; his brother-in-law, Donald Parsons of Hampden; his grandchildren, who were the lights of his life, Lauren and Eric Hallworth; his nieces and nephews, Mary, David, and Marcia Parons, Carol and Harry Vickerson, Theresa, Marty, Danny, Cathy, Michael, and Joe Greeley, Tony and Todd Donnelley, Barbie, John, and Andy Greeley, Mary Margaret and Patricia Kelley and his Sedgewood Commons Family in Falmouth.

Peter H. Snow, 57

Devoted fan of stock car racing

Peter H. Snow, 57, of Scarborough, passed away on July 29, 2006, after a long battle with multiple sclerosis at the Hospice House.

He was born Sept. 27, 1948. He worked for the South Portland Fire Department until his diagnosis and then went on to be an Operating Engineer with Local 4 until he was unable to work.

Gardening was his passion and he was a devoted fan of stock car racing. He also loved spending time with his family and friends.

Peter was predeceased by his father, John H. Snow of Florida. He is survived by his mother Yvonne McKenzie and step-father Bob McKenzie of Yuma, Ariz.; brother Tom H. Snow and niece Erica L. Snow of Scarborough; nephew James H. Snow and great-niece Grace C. Snow of Westbrook and close companion Kelly Colbath of Naples.

William F. McKinnon, 92

Married the love of his life

William F. McKinnon, 92, of Limington, died July 24, 2006 at the Maine Medical Center after a brief illness. Bill was born in Everett, Mass., the oldest of four sons of William F. McKinnon Sr. and Isabel Grace Davis.

Bill left school in the eighth grade to help his father make it through the Great Depression. He first worked as a butcher in his father’s market and later established his own businesses, McKinnon’s Market, in Everett and Wakefield, Mass.

He met and married the love of his life, Dot, eloping with her in 1933 at age 20, with $20 for a honeymoon. Bill described her as a beautiful blonde he first saw decorating cakes in the window of Kreskee’s five and ten cent store. They spent the next 73 years together.

In 1949, Bill left the management of his markets to his brothers and fulfilled a lifelong dream to be a farmer. He bought a 100-acre farm on the Saco River in Limington and learned how to raise chickens and manage a dairy herd. Over the next 50 years, he engaged in a number of entrepreneurial activities, including operating a school bus, representing Snap-On Tools, and establishing an antique business in his barn on the farm. He was well known for his auctions at his auction hall at Limington corner, where he facilitated auctions for the benefit of the Limington Fire Department. He served as a town selectman, and in his later years, ran a silk flower and lawn ornament business. Bill’s final job, as he described it, was lovingly caring for Dot.

Bill spent many winters in Florida where he learned to play tennis at age 70. He was an avid fly fisherman, bridge player, and Mason for most of his life, and had an abiding interest in the stock market until the end. He was also known in the neighborhood for his raspberry patch that grew and grew, providing the berries for his raspberry pies.

Bill was predeceased by his three brothers and son, William F. McKinnon III. He is survived by his wife, Gladys Dorothea Gramstorff; and two daughters, Marilyn Kimball of Los Angeles, Calif. and Limington, and Jane Libby of Falmouth. He leaves six grandchildren, Christina Brown of Gorham, Corinne Blake-Vallet of Bala Cynwyd, Pa., Diana Corbo of Mission Viejo, Calif.; David Libby Jr. and Marc Libby of Falmouth and Laurie Winslow of Falmouth. He also leaves 13 grandchildren and a nephew, George Gramstorff of Bartlett, N.H.

Victoria Mary Martin, 81

Operated a floral, craft business

Victoria Mary Martin, 81, of School Street, passed away Sunday, July 23, 2006, at a Portland hospital after a brief illness.

She was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., the daughter of Valentine and Mary Bogumil Kumor. She worked at Sebago Moc Shoe Co., for many years before retiring. After her retirement, she operated a floral and craft business with her daughter Martha Butler.

Victoria enjoyed crafts and traveling, especially to Foxwoods and Las Vegas. She loved animals and bird watching, and she especially loved spending time and playing with her great-grandchildren. She was very young at heart, and was not afraid to get down on the floor to play with them.

She was pre deceased by her husband Robert F. Martin in 1990.

She is survived by her children Martha Butler of Buxton, Robert Martin of Goosecreek, S.C., and Roberta Claflin of Brush, Colo.; grandchildren Tony Claflin of Akron, Colo., and Cherie Butler of Standish; great-grandchildren Devin Butler of Standish, and Courtney Claflin of Akron, Colo.; and sisters, Mrs. Veronica Kovalaski of Warren, Miss., Mrs. Mary Petyo of Nuangola, Pa., Mrs. Genevieve Przyt, Mrs. Bernandine Boler and Mrs. Loretta Grochowski, all of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Margery W. Eliscu, 81

Award-winning columnist

Margery W. Eliscu, 81, a national award-winning columnist, died peacefully on July 27, 2006, at Piper Shores in Scarborough, following weeks of visits and tender loving care from her family and other loved ones, and after a long and valiant fight with cancer.

Born on April 9, 1925, in New York, N.Y., she was the daughter of Richard A. and Estelle Wolff and the sister of Baseball Hall Of Fame sportscaster Bob Wolff.

Marge grew up in Woodmere, Long Island, N.Y., and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1942. She studied music (voice) at Penn State.

In 1943, she married her high school sweetheart, Larry, while he was on active duty in the Army Air Force stationed in Montgomery, Ala. Following WWII, she and Larry moved back to the New York suburbs with their infant son.

In early adulthood, she wrote for a weekly newspaper and magazines, including Babytalk. Later, as her four children grew older, she enjoyed a professional career as a singer in Westchester County, performing in churches and for community groups.

Wonderful memories of attending Camp Waziyatah in the Harrison area brought Marge and family to Vacationland every summer starting in 1958. By 1970, they made a permanent move to Maine.

Marge resurrected her writing career with a humor column for regional newspapers in Maine and New Hampshire, including the Advertiser-Democrat in Norway. For the past 23 years, her Coffee Break column has been in the Portland Sunday Telegram. She produced a column for nearly every week until July 2006.

She loved to write, loved her readers and was always thrilled to hear from or meet them. She was an active member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. In 1995, she won third prize in the humor category. Her writing is also included in the Maine Women Writer’s display at Westbrook College.

Other accomplishments include a book entitled “Russell Baker, Erma Bombeck & Me”; a piece in the anthology “In Stitches”; sample writing used in the No Child Left Behind program; and a full-length screenplay, coauthored with her daughter Kathy-the-nurse, (a family comedy yet to be produced.) She was a frequent public speaker for community groups, with an affinity for addressing cancer survivors.

The home Marge and Larry provided was filled with music, and all four children made music and theatre a part, of their lives; including professional performing.

She loved Broadway musicals, and took a special pleasure and pride in seeing her grandchildren perform so often and so well. She did not let her illness keep her from thoroughly enjoying life, and even while recuperating from a setback in May, she went to every performance of Godspell at Deering High to watch her grandson Will portray Jesus. True to her characteristic exuberance for life, she arose from her wheelchair to give the young performers a standing ovation. Her love of life enabled her to enjoy each day and those who knew her will remember many outings, lunches-out, celebrations, holidays, and the enormous volumes of funny stories accumulated over the years and repeated frequently. She enjoyed playing bridge with the girls and participated in more than one Red Hat Club!

Marge is predeceased by a son, Robert of Zaandam, Holland. She cherished and is survived by Laurence, her husband of 63 years; daughter Laurie of Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.; daughter Kathy of Westbrook; son Steve of Dover, N.H.; 13 grandchildren: Lili, Kathy, Christie, Tommy, Cassie, Sally, William, K.T., Aria, Steven, Lula, Misha, and David; and two great-grandchildren: Emma and David; her grandsons-in-law Paul and Jeremy; and Kathy’s fiance Ted; as well as dear and close family friends whom Marge truly considered family. They know who they are and how much pleasure Marge took in each and every one of them.

In her last days, her daughter Kathy asked if she had any wishes. Yes, she said, that everyone should be happy and well.

In Marge’s memory, it is requested that everyone who reads this hug their loved ones and laugh together!

Our deepest thanks to the incredible staff at Maine Medical Center, the wonderful, warm nurses and staff at Piper Shores, Dr. Peter Emery, Dr. Hector Tarraza, Arlyn O’Rourke, Dr. Susanna Campos, Hospice of Southern Maine, and the American Cancer Society. Every person who helped take care of Marge in the last part of her life made a huge difference, and her family is truly grateful.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later this week by Independent Death Care, 471 Deering Ave., Portland. For more information, call 878-3246.

In lieu of flowers, anyone who wishes may make a donation to: Robert Eliscu Music Scholarship Fund, Norway Savings Bank.

Or, in Marge-style, take a friend out to lunch!

Laurent Labbe, 87

Laurent Labbe, 87, of Westbrook died Aug. 3, 2006 at Springbrook Nursing Care Center after a long illness.

He was born to Ludovic and Rose Anna Labbe, and lived his entire life in Westbrook. He attended St. Hyacinth’s and Westbrook High Schools.

He served during WWII, enlisting pre-Pearl Harbor and was discharged on VJ day. He was awarded the Bronze Star. Labbe was a member of the Manchester Post American Legion. He worked at S.D. Warren for 35 years. He enjoyed Saturday night dances at the Cross Roads and taking cruises.

He married Fernande Hache of Waltham, Mass. in 1946.

Laurent was predeceased by his father; mother; and sister Bernadette.

Besides his wife, he leaves four sons: Robert and wife Jean; Donald; Brian and wife Donna; Scott and wife Melissa; seven grandchildren: Pamela; James; Michelle; Jonathan; Nicole; Brandon; and Tyler; three sisters- in-law, a sister Mary Leonard; Catherine and Jeanne Hache and 14 nieces and nephews.

The family would like to give special thanks to Springbrook Nursing Care Center for the tender and loving care during the three months he was there. Also, appreciation to Beacon Hospice who were there in the last days to ease his transition.

A Memorial mass was held at St. Hyacinth Church, followed by interment at St. Hyacinch Cemetery.

Arrangements were by Blais & Hay Funeral Home, Westbrook.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimers Association, Maine Chapter, Box 10497, Portland, Maine 04104.

Norma J. Lucey, 76

Norma J. Lucey, 76, was born on Sept. 21, 1929, in Bath, to Joseph T. Smith and Pauline A. Nickerson.

She passed away peacefully on July 31, 2006, in Mesa, Ariz. with her family by her side.

Norma grew up in Bath in her early years, then moved to South Portland with her family and graduated from South Portland High School in 1947. She worked for Shaw’s Supermarket and that is where she met her husband, the love of her life of 36 years, Francis X. Lucey. She worked for several years at Maine Bonding and Casualty.

After that, she began her 27-year career at Longfellow School where she held the position of teacher assistant. She thoroughly enjoyed her time working with all the students and especially the wonderful relationships she developed over the years with the staff.

Norma lived most of her life in various places within the greater Portland area until her last eight months, which she spent with her daughter and daughter’s fiance in Mesa, Ariz. During her retired years from education and up to her final days, she traveled, relaxed and enjoyed life to the fullest.

She was predeceased by her husband, Francis X. Lucey.

She is survived by a sister, Mabelle (Mickey) Spear of Enfield, Conn.; a son, Timothy Lucey from Westbrook; and two daughters, Diane Joyal of West Tremont, and Connie Kervin of Mesa, Ariz. and a very dear friend, who was like a daughter to Norma, Tracey Mezzanotte of Gorham.

Norma was a very caring woman and made friends instantly through her personality and humor. She will be sadly missed by everyone whose heart she touched. Memorial services will be held at a later date. If desired, memorial donations can be made to your local Hospice organization.

Donald R. Peterson, 61

Donald R. Peterson, 61, of Gorham, died Aug. 1, 2006, at a Portland hospital after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Quincy, Mass., he was a son of Herbert and Elizabeth Snow Peterson, and was a graduate of Huntington Prep School in Boston.

For 30 years, Peterson had worked for Sappi (S.D. Warren) in Westbrook and retired in 2000. He had also worked for six years at Sherwin Williams in Westbrook. He was a member of First Parish Congregational Church here. He enjoyed fishing and traveling, especially to Aruba and the family cottage in Cape Cod. He also enjoyed history, politics, being at home and doing projects around the house. He was an avid skier and scuba diver. His family was always his first priority.

He was predeceased by his parents; and a brother, Carl.

Surviving him are his wife of 37 years, Roberta A. Stillman Peterson of Gorham; one son, Eric C. Peterson and his wife Tracey of Foxboro, Mass.; one daughter, Dawn M. Peterson of Gorham; one brother, Herbert Peterson of Stoughton, Mass. and three grandchildren; Abigail, Cole and Drew.

Funeral services were held at First Parish Congregational Church in Gorham with private burial at Eastern Cemetery. Dolby & Dorr Funeral Chapel, Gorham, was in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Gibson Pavilion at Maine Medical Center Development Office, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland, Maine 04101.

Gerald Howard Steeves, 82

Gerald H. Steeves, of New Brunswick, formerly of Westbrook, died on July 24, 2006, after a lengthy illness.

Gerald was born in Albert Mines, New Brunswick, on May 30, 1924, the son of the late Willis and Vera (Douthwright) Steeves.

He was a carpenter and enjoyed doing woodwork. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, gardening, and driving through the countryside. He greatly appreciated the simplicity and beauty of country life. He was a tenderhearted man who will never be forgotten.

Gerald will be deeply missed by Shirley, his loving wife of 54 years; his three daughters, Marolyn Bissonnette (Gerry) of Saco, Gail Morabito (Brian) of Westbrook, and Beverly Richmond (Roger) of South Freeport; by his sister, Mavis Estabrook (Earl) of Cumberland and by his five grandchildren, Daniel, Emily, Peter, Molly and Abby.

The funeral service was held at the Albert County Funeral Home in New Brunswick on Wednesday, July 26.

Beryl O. Varney, 92

Beryl O. Varney, 92, of Sanford and formerly a longtime resident of Windham, died Aug. 3, 2006, at her home in Sanford surrounded by loving members of her family.

Born in Bowdoinham, she was a daughter of John J. and Edna M. Tibbetts Mailer, and she attended Coombs School there.

During World War II, she was employed at the South Portland Shipyard, and later at Southworth Machine. In 1953, Mrs. Varney began work at S.D. Warren Co. in Westbrook as a paper sorter. She retired from there as an inspector in the finishing department after 25 years of service.

She had attended Windham Plains Church and was a member for 29 years of the American Legion Auxiliary in Westbrook. Mrs. Varney enjoyed music, dancing, word search puzzles, crocheting and sewing. She made many of her children’s clothes during their childhood. She loved to travel or simply go for a ride to see the ocean, mountains, flowers or foliage.

At age 90, she cruised in the Caribbean with 15 members of her family. Everyone who met her fell in love with her and her zest for life. Even strangers remarked about her infectious smile. She also enjoyed watching golf, playing the piano, singing and yodeling. She always hosted holiday meals at her home for her family, and everything was made from scratch. After her family visited her, she insisted they call upon arrival at home so she would know they had arrived safely. She enjoyed many activities with her beloved grandchildren and always maintained that the greatest joy in life was her three girls. She was a caregiver to family and friends, and was especially known for her soft molasses cookies and homemade peanut butter fudge. Varney taught herself to drive and never took a driving test, but continued to drive until she was 86.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband of nearly 40 years, Harold W. Varney of Windham; two brothers, J. Albion Malier of Casco; and Esric S. Malier of Rossville, Ga.; and one sister, E. Jenice Malier Cash of Casco.

Surviving her are her three daughters: Lucy M. McCabe of Ellsworth; Jennie A. MacDonald of Casco; and Julia F. Cheney and her husband Albert R. Cheney of Lyman; one sister, Frances M. Atwood of Windham; and sister-in-law, Shirley H. Malier of Rossville, Ga.; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was a devoted grandmother to 14 grandchildren, 31 great- grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Her funeral was held at Dolby Funeral Chapel, Windham, with interment in the family lot at Smith Cemetery.

In her memory, please consider donations to The Windham Rescue Association, Box 330, Windham, Maine 04062.

Irene Harriman, 88

Irene Harriman, 88, of Turtle Lane, Naples, died August 4, 2006, at a Windham nursing home.

She was born in Westbrook, the daughter of Adrien and Delia Lachance Buteau. She was raised and educated in Westbrook, and worked at the Dana Warp Mill for many years. After the mill closed, she worked at the mill in Biddeford into her 80s.

She enjoyed knitting and working around the house.

Her husband Lawrence Harriman died in 1976.

She is survived by a son Robert of Poland; a daughter Sandra Hartman of Naples; a brother Roland Buteau of Westbrook; two sisters, Eleanor Chase of Gorham; and Dorothy Caron of Westbrook; five grandchildren, Taunya and Robert Harriman; Kelly Kevin; and Susan Hartman; four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

A memorial mass was held at St. Hyacinth Church in Westbrook. Interment will be in Brooklawn Memorial Park. Arrangements are by Blais & Hay Funeral Home, Westbrook.

Lillian May Fogg, 99

Lillian May Fogg, 99, formerly of the Bonny Eagle Pond Road, Standish died on July 31, 2006, at the Gorham House.

She was born in Avon, Mass. on Sept. 9, 1906, a daughter of Ernest and Phoebe (Look) Peck.

She attended schools in Buxton and graduated from Buxton High School in 1925.

Mrs. Fogg worked at a cloth mill in West Buxton, the Saco Lowell Shops, Dr. Bowers medical office for 10 years, Cook’s Store in Gorham for 10 years, and Deer Pond Variety for four years.

Lillian was known for her dedicated service to the community. She was the president of the Sunday School Corporation for 25 years, a volunteer at St. Anne’s Church in Gorham, and served nine years as the first president of the Bar Mills Fire Department Auxiliary.

She was a member of the Saco River Grange and served as the master for several terms, a member of the Rebekahs Lodge No. 107, and was a member of the Dorcas Society for 60 years.

Lillian had been a member of the Tory Hill Church since 1932 and had been devoutly involved with the church her whole life. She was known for cooking abilities and baked biscuits and pies for the church for various activities and fundraisers. Lillian served as a deaconess at the church for years. For around 30 years, Mrs. Fogg was also an active participant in the church’s annual play, The Peabody Pew.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Norman Fogg; two sisters and one brother.

She is survived by a son, Hartley Fogg and his wife Arvena of Auburn; three daughters, Norma Peters and her husband Robert of Standish, Rosalind Johnson and her husband Frank of Zephyrhills Fla., and Gloria Fox of Buxton; a sister, Eleanor Durant of Waterboro; 15 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and many great-great-grandchildren.

Services were held at Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Home, Buxton.

The family strongly suggests that if memorial donations are desired, they be made to The First Congregational Church of Buxton, Box 37, Bar Mills, Maine 04004.

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