Obituaries for Thursday, May 30, 2019

DONALD B. CLARK

WINSLOW – Donald B. Clark, 58, of Winslow, died Saturday,  March 30, 2019, at his home in Winslow. He was born in Key West, Florida, on December 9, 1960, the son of Beatrice and Alfred Clark.

He attended and graduated from Southern Aroostook High School before attending the University of Maine at Fort Kent.

After a couple of years, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served as a military policeman. Upon discharge, he attended the University of Vermont where he obtained his nursing degree and worked at Maine Medical Center, in Portland, and later at Civista Medical Center, in Maryland.

Don was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling. He also enjoyed vegetable gardening and had a love of animals, especially dogs. He always had a special place in his heart for his long-term companions Heidi, the St. Bernard and Hutch, the hound dog. By far, Don’s greatest pleasure and the light and love of his life was always his daughter, Michelle. Although adversity with his mental health robbed of much of the joy life had to offer, Don will be remembered for his generosity, empathy, and his readiness to help anyone in need.

Don is survived by his daughter, Michelle Roy, of Caribou.

A committal service will be held at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 32, at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery Committal Shelter, 289 Civic Center Drive, Augusta ME 04330. Please visit www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com to share condolences, memories and tributes with his family.

For those who wish, memorial donations can be made to the University of Maine at Fort Kent, a place near to Don’s heart.

THERESE M. ROSSIGNOL

WINSLOW – Therese Rossignol, 89, a long-time resident of Winslow, died Wednesday, May 1, 2019, at Oak Grove Center, in Waterville. She was born to the late Edward and Feleine Roy on November 19, 1929, in Winslow.

On her journey she joined a sister, Jeanne Labonte, and a brother, Laurier.

Therese graduated from Winslow High School. She worked at Lockwood Cotton Mill, in Waterville, which later became C.F. Hathaway Shirt Factory, was a seamstress and a cake baker and decorator.

She was a homemaker, enjoyed cooking, having a camp, gardening, and carpentry. She camped over 28 years at Happy Horse Shoe, organized the senior cards on Wednesday nights and day trips and mostly enjoyed planning family gatherings.

Therese was married to Raymond over 70 years. On October 2, 1948, they were married at Saint John the Baptist Church, in Winslow.

She is survived by her husband Raymond; six children, Elaine Ron and husband Romiro, of Spain, Christine Nihtegale, of New Mexico, Claudette Nithsdale, of Winslow, Arthur and wife Deborah, of Skowhegan, George and wife Barbara, of Cornville, Anthony and wife Donna, of Winslow; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Estelle Duquette, of New Jersey and Jacqueline Bourque, of Jefferson; and many nieces and nephews.

The celebration of life for Therese will be Saturday, June 1, 9 a.m. at Saint John’s Church, Winslow. Her burial will be at Togus.

Any donations may be made to: Veterans and families, Travis Mills Foundations, 89 Water St., Hallowell ME 04347.

GEORGE LEIGHTON

OAKLAND – George “Podgie” Leighton, 84, passed away unexpectedly at EMMC in Bangor on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. He was born in Waterville, on February 21, 1935, to George “Barney” and Gladys (Rushton) Leighton.

Podgie graduated from Williams High School, in Oakland, and served in the Naval Reserves and later enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in Germany.

He worked as an iron worker for Local #496 for 33 years. He was a mail carrier and a local bus driver for a short time following his retirement.

Podgie had a lifelong love of airplanes and flying and was a licensed pilot for many years. In 1960, he married the former Ann Collier, they were together for 56 years.

He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, and his sister, Barbara.

He is survived by his children, Jody and husband Steve Knox, Todd and wife Dodie Leighton, Kathy LaPlante, and Toby and wife Melissa Leighton; grandchildren, Steve, Ashley and Cale Knox, Tara Roderigue and husband Jon, Dusty Leighton, Colby and Halee LaPlante, and Emily and Allison Leighton; great-grandchildren, Jocelyn and Cameron Roderigue; his brother, David and wife Jeannette Leighton; and many nieces and nephews.

An online guestbook may be signed, and memories shared at www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 26 Church St., Oakland.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the: Oakland Food Pantry, 20 W. School St, Oakland ME 04963.

PATRICIA SMITH

FAIRFIELD – Patricia (Ryan-Alkas) Smith, 83, of Fairfield and formerly of Bristol, Connecticut, passed away Monday, May 13, 2019, at Mount Saint Joseph, in Waterville following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born August 31, 1935, in Bristol, Connecticut, the daughter of the late Edward and Victoria (Lozefski) Ryan.

She graduated from Terryville High School and then became a telephone switchboard operator. She also worked at Humason Manufacturing, Industrial Comp., Stanley Works, and eventually the Credit Union. Patricia then moved to Maine where she worked at Taconnet Federal Credit Union, in Winslow, and met and married Roger Smith. In her spare time, she enjoyed bird watching, traveling, baking and cooking, and especially fishing. She loved shopping for clothes, jewelry and shoes and wore her outfits with dignity and regality.

Patricia is survived by her husband Roger, of Fairfield; daughter Victoria Alkas and husband Henry Kozuch, of Enfield, Connecticut; sons Sam Alkas III, of Hudson, Florida, and Daniel Alkas and wife Debbie, of Granby, Connecticut; stepdaughter Valerie Elsworth and husband William, of Brewer; stepson, Timothy Smith and wife Sarah, of Bangor; grandchildren, Sabrina Badal, Samantha Hemmerich, Nate Elsworth, George Elsworth, Emma Smith, and Tana Smith; two great-grandchildren, James and Alex Hemmerich; brother, Donald Ryan and wife Geraldine; several nieces, and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; two brothers, Edward Ryan Jr. and James Ryan.

Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan, ME 05976.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Patricia’s memory to a charity of choice.

ROGELIO PUENTE

WINSLOW – Rogelio Puente, 93, passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2019.

He served proudly in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a talented craftsman and home builder in central New Jersey. He served diligently as the president of the Spanish Club, in Carteret, New Jersey, for many years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Josephine.

He was the father of Valentina Dorgai and Roger Puente; grandfather of Jessica Dorgai and , Stephanie Minnich, Meredith Puente; and the great-grandfather of Joshua Paulo Minnich.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville.

An online guestbook may be signed and condolences and memories shared at gallantfh.com.

JOHN T. FISH

WINDSOR – John Turner Fish passed away at home, in Windsor on Friday, May 17, 2019. John had a long four-year battle with small cell cancer. He was born on June 25, 1948, in Damariscotta, the first born of twins. John was the son of Miles Amos Fish Jr. and Melissa (Turner) Fish.

He was raised in Jefferson and graduated from Lincoln Academy in 1966.

John joined the Air Force shortly after graduation and did two tours in Vietnam. After discharge, he worked for the Maine Department of Education, John began working for the U.S. Postal Service in 1987, first in Winthrop and then in Gardiner. He delivered mail in Gardiner, Randolph and Farmingdale for 27 years, until retiring in 2014.

John loved friendly competition, particularly when playing cribbage. He was still playing until a week before his death. John also enjoyed rummy, bridge, and golf.

He loved the yearly golf trip south with the guys, playing 36 holes daily. He was an avid music lover, especially Bob Dylan. John was also very proud to have more than 33 years of sobriety.

He was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Robert Fish; and his son, Brandon Fish.

John is survived by his wife, Nancy (Walker) Fish and their children, Jason Walker, of Portland, Troy Fish, of Portland and Heather Wasik and her husband, Paul, of Washington, D.C.; four sisters, Catherine Walker, of Jefferson, Marjorie Baldwin and husband Bob, of Nobleboro; his twin, Joan Jackson, of Jefferson, and Nancy Pierce and husband Lynn, of Jefferson; and many nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Fred Jackson, of Brooks.

Condolences, photos and stories may be shared at www.plummerfh.com.

In liew of flowers, the family asks you make a donation to the charity of your choice.