Obituaries, Week of May 31, 2018

RONALD T. GILBERT

OAKLAND––Ronald Terrence “Terry” Gilbert, 77, of Oakland, passed away on Sunday, May 13, 2018, following a short illness. He was born in Waterville, April 20, 1941, son of Ronald W. and Thena Sullivan Gilbert.

In his formative years Terry studied music with the renowned Lila (Ma) Atherton. Upon graduating from Williams High School, in Oakland, he studied and was certified as an airline steward. With the love of music still in his heart he entered the Northern Conservatory of Music and graduated with a degree in music education. He also did graduate study in England.

He taught public school music for many years in Hudson, New York, where he had a renowned boys choir. Returning home, he taught music in Fairfield, along with maintaining Musical Trends, where he offered private music lessons in piano, voice, woodwind and brass instruments. His private students presented outstanding recitals each spring at many different venues.

He also worked for a number of years in the mental health field. His loving companions at different times throughout his life were his Chihuahuas.

He was predeceased by his parents; one sister, Catherine Bacon and husband, Otis; and two brothers-in-law.

He is survived by three sisters, Beverly Baird Cauley, of Ocala, Florida, Natalie Vogler, of Ocala, Florida, and Sherry Gilbert, of Oakland; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

An online guestbook may be signed and condolences expressed at www.gallantfh.com.

JOHN POPLASKI III

OAKLAND––John Poplaski III, 52, of Oakland, passed away at his home following a short but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. John, the son of John Poplaski Jr. and Eugenie “Jean” (Quint) Poplaski, was born February 25, 1966, in Waterville.

John grew up in Fairfield and attended Fairfield schools from 1972–1984. John worked from a very early age in the restaurant industry doing whatever he could to learn about cooking and was a self-taught chef. He was employed by area restaurants over the years such as Chinatown, Governor’s, Steve’s, The Lobster Trap, and most recently, the former John Martin’s Manor Restaurant, Waterville, where he was executive chef. He left The Manor in 2006 after injuries he sustained in a motorcycle accident, which prevented him from continuing his career.

He had a great love of many things, cooking, fast cars (he loved his GT Mustangs), his favorite NFL team the Denver Broncos and the Boston Celtics, golfing, rock and roll music, spending time with his family and close friends, barbecuing, his animals and the simple things in life.

John was a very kind, compassionate man. John had quite the sense of humor and knew exactly how to make people laugh. His sense of humor was infectious and will be missed by everyone who knew him.

John was married to Annmarie Cole in August 2002, and even though the marriage ended in divorce in 2009, they remained close friends. For John, his pets were his children.

John was predeceased by his parents, John Poplaski, Jr. and Eugenie “Jean” (Quint) Poplaski.

John is survived by his five siblings: his brother Stephen Poplaski and wife Judy, of Winterport, his sisters Pamela Barker, of Waterville, Bonnie Poplaski and Bruce Harmon, of Benton, Anne Corey and husband David, of China, and Kelley Poplaski and partner Dick Ware, of Oakland; 17 nieces and nephews; 18 great-nieces and nephews; aunt, Estelle Verzoni-Barnes and husband Lou, of Waterville, Ann Theriault, of Liberty, and an uncle Gene Quint and wife Teri, of Hawaii.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, June 4, at 6 p.m. at the Fairfield Church of the Nazarene, 81 Main St., Fairfield, with the Rev. Eric. M. Larsen officiating. There will be a time of fellowship at the church directly following.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.lawrybrothers.com.

Donations may be made in John’s name to the following organizations: Bob Smilie Pancreatic Cancer Memorial Fund, c/o Linda Smilie, 305 Nason Rd., Shapleigh ME 04076 or Waterville Humane Society, 100 Webb Rd., Waterville ME 04901.

FRANCES G. WILSON

SOUTH CHINA — Frances Gelo Wilson, 85, passed away Tuesday, May 22, 2018, at Glenridge Comfort Care Unit, in Augusta. Born and raised in Searsmont, the daughter of Clarence and Alice (White) Gelo, she was a 1949 graduate from Appleton High School.

She was first married to Frank Wilson September 12, 1953. Together they raised two children and later in life they legally adopted two more children. While married to Frank, she was an active member of Kora Karts Women’s Auxillary. She worked for a short period of time waitressing at the Worster House, in Hallowell. Following that she began working for Wadleighs Oil Co. and after 40 years of service, she retired in 2004. She got re-married to Edwin Geschwendt on July 6, 1991, and together they ran a trucking business. In her early years, she enjoyed riding a motorcycle, snowmobiling and camping up in Moosehead. She had a passion for cooking and looked forward to holiday gatherings and summer cookouts with her family.

She is survived by her partner of 27 years, Edwin Geschwendt; daughters Diane Trueworthy and husband David, of Lewiston, and Sheila (Taul) Ballantyne and husband David Ballantyne, of China, son John Taul, of Augusta; a granddaughter Andrea Dwelle and husband Chris, of Augusta; grandsons, Abram Ashby, and Justin Ashby, both of Winslow, Ian Ashby and wife Joanna, of Hallowell, Shane Wilson and wife Meagan, of Clinton; as well as several great grandchildren; a brother Bruce Gelo and wife Dawn, of Kenduskeag; a sister Carol Robbins and husband Jenness, of Searsmont; nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by a son David Wilson, two brothers Carl Gelo and Raymond Gelo; sisters Elaine Perkins, Nancy Drinkwater, Phyllis Perkins and Priscilla Place.

Per her request there will be no funeral or burial services. There will be a gathering in her remembrance at a later date.

OTHERS DEPARTED

GORDON W. STROUT II, 70, of Bradenton, Florida, on Friday, March 30, 2018. Locally, he is survived siblings, Evelyn Cairnie and husband David, of Clinton, and Dennis West, of Benton Falls; nephew David Cairnie and wife Pamela, of Fairfield, and niece, Peg Paradis and husband Rick, of Fairfield.

CATHERINE M. McKAY, 78, of Chelsea passed away on Thursday, May 24, 2018. Locally, she is survived by a granddaughter Stacy Jeannotte, of Windsor; two great-grandchildren, Cali Austin and Parker Maxim, both of Windsor.