Up and down the Kennebec Valley: The Burleigh family

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by Mary Grow

Burleigh family of Palermo, Aroostook County and Augusta

The Burleigh (sometimes spelled Burley) families were among the earliest to settle in the Kennebec Valley. One of Palermo’s early settlers was Moses Burleigh, and there were 19th-century Burleighs in other area towns.

Millard Howard, in his Palermo history, said the Palermo family had been in America since 1648, when a Burley ancestor lived in Ipswich, Massachusetts.

The first generation of these Burleighs: Moses, in Palermo and Linneus

Moses Burleigh (March 25, 1781 – Feb. 13, 1860) was one of seven children (and oldest of four sons) of Benjamin Burleigh and Priscilla (Senter) Burleigh. He and his father were the first Burleighs to come to Pal­ermo, moving from Sand­wich, New Hampshire, in 1800. An on-line source says he married Nancy Spiller (1785 – Jan. 2, 1850) in Palermo “about 1812.”

The same source lists birth dates of the first four of the couple’s “at least 6 sons and 3 daughters” beginning with Elvira Senter Burleigh in 1806 (she died in 1829); followed by Benjamin Burleigh (1809 – 1811); a second Benjamin Burleigh, born in 1811; and on May 16, 1812 (the exact date is from Milton Dowe’s history of Palermo), Parker Prescott Burleigh.

(Your writer questions the marriage date. Children were born out of wedlock in Maine in the early 1800s, and sometimes acknowledged by their fathers; and they were born less than nine months after a wedding. But three children born and one conceived, and then the wedding? – an unusual series of events.)

Dowe called Moses Burleigh “the most prominent man in this section of the state.” He was a militia captain in the War of 1812 and led his troop to Belfast when the British landed at Castine in September, 1814. In 1816 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.

Burleigh chaired the Palermo board of selectmen “for many years” and was a justice of the peace and a deputy sheriff, according to Dowe and Howard. He served in the Massachusetts General Court for three years.

By 1816, the majority of Palermo voters favored statehood for Maine. Two public meetings that year produced pro-statehood votes. At the second one, on Sept. 2, the vote was 78 to 20, according to Howard, and voters chose Burleigh to represent the town at a convention in Brunswick called to write a Maine constitution.

After Maine became a state in 1820, Burleigh was a member of the Maine legislature for three years. He was also a mail carrier between Augusta and Bangor, first on horseback and later by carriage.

In 1830 or 1831 the Burleighs moved to Linneus, an Aroostook County town southwest of Houlton. There, Howard wrote, Moses Burleigh “continued to hold important positions in state, county and the militia.” An on-line Linneus site lists the positions as including census taker, land agent responsible for evicting Canadian trespassers from land claimed by Maine and postmaster at Linneus.

The second generation: Moses Burleigh’s son, Parker Prescott, in Aroostook County

Moses and Nancy Burleigh’s son, Parker Prescott Burleigh (May 16, 1812- Apr. 29, 1899), Dowe described as a “prominent statesman.” On-line sites say he was a surveyor, civil engineer and farmer, well-informed about Maine timberland. They list some of the town and county positions he held, including town clerk, treasurer, tax collector and school board chairman; and county commissioner and treasurer.

Parker Burleigh was North Linneus postmaster for 25 years, and represented the town in the Maine House of Representatives in 1856 and the area in the Maine Senate twice, in 1864 and 1877.

Parker Burleigh’s first wife was Caroline Peabody Chick (Jan. 31, 1815 – Apr. 6, 1861) from Bangor. They had two sons. He remarried in May, 1873, to Charlotte Mehitable Smith, also from Bangor.

The third generation: Moses Burleigh’s grandson (Parker Burleigh’s son), Albert Augustus, in Aroostook County

Parker and Caroline’s older son, Albert Augustus Burleigh (Oct. 12, 1841 – 1916) served in the First Maine Cavalry in the Civil War. He was wounded at least twice and imprisoned in the Confederacy. He and his wife, Lucinda Collins, had five sons and one daughter born between Novem­ber, 1862, and October, 1874.

Albert Burleigh was a state senator early in the 1900s, from the Houlton/Oakfield area. He and his brother Edwin were among those who supported extending Bangor and Aroostook Railroad service into Aroostook County. He died in Houlton about 1918.

The third generation continued: Moses Burleigh’s grandson, Edwin Chick (Parker Burleigh’s son), in Aroostook County and Augusta

Albert’s brother, Edwin Chick Burleigh (Nov. 27, 1843 – June 16, 1916), graduated from Houlton Academy and worked as a teacher, farmer and surveyor. On June 28, 1863, he married Mary Jane Bither (Nov. 9, 1841 – May? 1916) of Linneus; they had two sons and four daughters, born between 1864 and 1877.

(Your writer found no exact date for Mary Jane Burleigh’s death. A May 2, 1916, clipping from the Portland Express-Advertiser, found on line, says Senator Burleigh’s wife “is dangerously ill and is not expected to recover” after a “serious collapse” on May 1.)

A detailed on-line biography from 1909 says Edwin Burleigh would have enlisted for Civil War service with his brother, but was rejected for (unspecified) health issues.

Instead, he spent the war as a clerk in the state adjutant general’s office. Then he returned to surveying and farming until 1870, when he accepted a clerkship in the state land office in Bangor (where, according to Louis Hatch’s history of Maine, his father was the land agent).

In 1876 he was appointed state land agent, and also, according to the on-line biography, assistant clerk in the Maine House of Representatives. These jobs led the family to move to Augusta, either in 1876 or in 1880, when he became a clerk in the state treasurer’s office (sources differ).

From 1884 to 1888, Edwin Burleigh was state treasurer, “an office that he filled with conspicuous ability and success,” according to the on-line biography. He ran successfully for governor in the fall of 1888 and was re-elected two years later, serving as Maine’s 42nd governor from January 1889 to January 1893.

The biography says his administration was “pre-eminently constructive and progressive in character.” A list of accomplishments starts with blocking a proposal to relocate the state capital to Portland and instead overseeing enlargement of the state house, thereby saving taxpayers “at least two million dollars.”

In 1892 Edwin Burleigh ran for the U. S. House from Maine’s Third Congressional District. He lost to incumbent Seth Milliken, of Belfast; but when Milliken died in office in 1897, Burleigh was chosen as his successor. He served from June 21, 1897, until he lost a 1910 re-election bid and was replaced on March 3, 1911; the 1909 on-line biography says his “ability and usefulness have been conspicuous.”

Hatch wrote that “he was very successful in obtaining public buildings for his district.”

Meanwhile, in 1887 he had purchased Augusta’s Kennebec Journal, so in 1911 he turned his attention back to the newspaper and to managing forest land he owned in Aroostook County. The biography adds that his older son, Clarence Blendon Burleigh, was the paper’s managing editor in the early 1900s.

In the fall of 1912 Edwin Burleigh was elected to the U. S. Senate, taking office March 4, 1913. He did not finish his Senate term; he died in Augusta on June 16, 1916. He, his wife and other family members are buried in Augusta’s Forest Grove Cemetery.

The fourth generation: Moses Burleigh’s great-grandson (Edwin Burleigh’s son) Clarence Blendon, in Augusta

Edwin and Mary Jane Burleigh’s older son was Clarence Blendon Burleigh (Nov. 1, 1864 – 1910), born in Linneus. He attended local schools in Linneus and Bangor, and graduated from Hampton Literary Institute in 1883 and from Bowdoin College in 1887.

After a summer as “editor of the Old Orchard Sea Shell, which was published by the Biddeford Times until the close of the beach season,” Clarence Burleigh came back to Augusta and joined his father’s Kennebec Journal venture. His career included 10 years (1896-1906) as state printer.

Clarence Burleigh also served as president of the Maine Press Association (1896); member of the city board of assessors (1897); president of Augusta City Hospital (founded in 1898); and president of the Augusta Board of Trade (1899).

He and his younger brother Lewis were Republicans, active Masons and Congregationalists.

On Nov. 24, 1887, he married Sarah P. Quimby of Sandwich, New Hamp­shire. The on-line site says that had two sons, Edwin C. (born Dec. 9, 1891) and Donald Q. (born June 2, 1894), carrying the Burleigh name into the fifth generation.

The fourth generation continued: Moses Burleigh’s great-grandson Lewis Albert (Edwin Burleigh’s son), Augusta

Clarence Burleigh’s younger brother, Lewis Albert Burleigh (March 24, 1870 – 1929), was born in Linneus; the family moved to Augusta in time for him to graduate from Cony High School in 1887. He followed his brother to Bowdoin, graduating in 1891, and earned his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1894.

He was immediately admitted to the Kennebec Bar and went into practice with his brother-in-law, Joseph Williamson (husband of his older sister, Vallie Mary). The on-line biography says as of 1909, “The firm has taken a leading position among the lawyers of the state, doing a general and corporation business.”

This source says Lewis Burleigh had been Augusta city clerk and was in his second term as one of three United States Commissioners. (Another on-line source explains that United States Commissioners are appointed by district court chief judges to “perform judicial functions for the federal government” similar to those performed by state “magistrates or justices of the peace.”)

In 1909 he was also on Augusta’s board of education and representing the city in the state House of Representatives.

On Oct. 18, 1894, Lewis Burleigh married Caddie Hall Brown (Apr. 22, 1871 – 1955) of Fairfield. The couple had a daughter who was born and died in 1895 and a son, Lewis Albert Burleigh, Jr. (July 20, 1897 – Aug. 11, 1949) – another of Moses Burleigh’s fifth-generation descendants.

The senior Lewis Burleigh got a Nov. 12, 1929, obituary in The New York Times, in which he was identified as an “Attorney and Former Legislator of Augusta, Me.”

And briefly one member of the fifth generation: Moses Burleigh’s great-great-grandson Donald Quimby (Clarence Burleigh’s son)

Donald Quimby Burleigh is identified as a novelist and, with his wife Mary (Johnson) Burleigh, “a New England champion bridge player.” Donald and Mary Burleigh had four daughters and no sons.

One website lists several books written by Clarence Blendon Burleigh. Your writer was surprised to find available on line copies of:

— Bowdoin ’87: A History of Undergraduate Days : Together with Brief Sketches of Members of the Class Since Graduation, published in 1900 by the Kennebec Journal Press;

— The Letter on Camp K, subtitled Two Live Boys in Northern Maine, with author and illustrator L. J. Brigman (Lewis Jesse Brigman, 1857 – 1931) listed as co-author, originally published in 1906;

— Raymond Benson at Krampton, published in 1907 by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard of Boston, with two young men ready for a baseball game on the cover; and

— The Kenton Pines, or Raymond Benson in College, also published in 1907 by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard. The forgottenbooks.com website categorizes its reproduction of the novel as “childrens” and says it is 412 pages long.

Sources

Dowe, Milton E., History Town of Palermo Incorporated 1884 (1954).
Hatch, Louis Clinton, ed., Maine: A History 1919 ((facsimile, 1974).
Howard, Millard, An Introduction to the Early History of Palermo, Maine (second edition, December 2015).

Websites, miscellaneous.

Local residents earn award from WGU

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The following local residents have earned an Award of Excellence at Western Governors University, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The award is given to students who perform at a superior level in their coursework.

Jen Paradis, of Augusta, has earned an Award of Excellence at Western Governors University College of Business.

Abigayle Laverdiere, of Fairfield, has earned an Award of Excellence at Western Governors University School of Education.

Crystal Perry, of South China, has earned an Award of Excellence at Western Governors University Leavitt School of Health.

Olivia Nicks, of Unity, has earned an Award of Excellence at Western Governors University College of Information Technology.

Local residents named to Simmons Univ. dean’s list

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The following local students were named to the 2022 spring semester dean’s list at Simmons University, in Boston, Massachusetts:

Kaili Shorey, of Vassalboro, Abigail Bloom and Amanda Farrington, both of Waterville, and Maddie Beckwith, of Winslow.

SNHU announces summer 2022 dean’s list

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Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), in Manchester, New Hampshire, congratulates the following students on being named to the summer 2022 dean’s list. The summer terms run from May to August.

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.500 to 3.699 for the reporting term are named to the Dean’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

Elizabeth Kearney, of Augusta; Lizsandra Lopez, of Winslow; Patric Moore, of Waterville; and Sasha Hanscom, of Skowhegan.

GROWING YOUR BUSINESS: No better time than now to start a business

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Growing your businessby Dan Beaulieu
Business consultant

There is no better time to start a service business. Yes you read that right, this is a great time to start a small service business. I’ll add to that, if you are a skilled craftsperson there has never been a better time to go into business for yourself.

Let me explain, if you are an electrician, plumber, carpenter, landscaper, stone worker, or any type of skilled laborer, this is the time to hang your shingle.

Why now? Simple, there are not enough of your type to go around. All the bigger companies and yes, of course, even the smaller ones are booked out through next year. They can’t handle the work they have. Some of them are not even answering the phone when it comes to new business.

But the business is there. As people climb out of the pandemic they need things done to their homes. For over two years people have put off doing what has needed to be done in their homes and in their places of business. And now when they need someone to work on their projects from house painting to roofing to carpentry, to plumbing, they just cannot find anyone to do the work…at least right now.

Not being able to get satisfaction from their current services companies, people are not even able to get the companies and people who they once used to even acknowledge their calls. They are being forced to look for alternate sources.

They are looking for anyone who meets their needs, right now, not in a month, not in three months or five months or a year, they need someone right now.

If you have always dreamt of being your own boss, now is the perfect time to make that dream come true. People…customers are looking for you.

All you have to do is make people know that you are in business and you are available.

Here are some of the things you can do to get started:

  • Set up your company. You can even do this on line for a couple of hundred dollars.
  • Develop a business plan. This does not have to be complicated. Just some good strategic thinking, answering a few simple questions like:
  • The name of your company
  • What your company does
  • Who are your customers?
  • What needs do you fill? What services do you provide?
  • Get your name out there. Make it easy for people to find you.
  • Place an ad in a local newspaper like this one (The Town Line)
  • Put your ad on local bulletin boards
  • Put flyers in doors or on car windshields (In some communities you will need a permit to do this).
  • Anything that will let people know you are now in business and will provide them with the services they are looking for…right now!

If you do these things people will find you and get in touch with you (a small basic web site would be great as well)

Then answer your phone and get started.

Right now, it is as simple as that. And if you are skilled and if you are ambitious you can get started immediately. In a matter of days, you can be growing your business.

FINANCIAL FOCUS: What to know about sustainable investing

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submitted by Sasha Fitzpatrick

You may have heard about “sustainable investing.” But if you’re not familiar with it, you may have some questions: What does it involve? Is it right for me? Can I follow a sustainable investing strategy and still get the portfolio performance I need to reach my goals?

Sustainable investing can be defined in different ways, with different terminologies. However, one way to look at a sustainable approach is by thinking of it as investing in a socially conscious way which may involve two broad categories: environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing and values-based investing.

As its name suggests, ESG investing incorporates a broad range of environmental, social and governance risks and opportunities, along with traditional financial measures, when making investment decisions. This approach may have a neutral impact on performance because it maintains a focus on managing risk, traditional fundamental analysis and diversification. Here’s a quick look at the ESG elements:

Environmental – Companies may work to reduce carbon emissions, invest in renewable energy, decrease pollution and conserve water resources.

Social – A business may promote gender and pay equality within its workforce, and maintain positive labor relations and safe working conditions for employees.

Governance – Companies distinguished by good governance may institute strong ethics policies, provide transparent financial reporting and set policies to ensure it has an independent, objective board of directors.

You can pursue an ESG investing approach through individual stocks, mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which hold a variety of investments similar to mutual funds, but are generally passively managed – that is, they do little or no trading. As an ESG investor, you don’t necessarily have to sacrifice performance because ESG investments generally fare about as well as the wider investment universe. Some investments may even gain from the ESG approach. For example, a company that invests in renewable energy may benefit from the move away from fossil fuel sources.

Now, let’s move on to values-based investing. When you follow a values-based approach, you can focus on specific themes where you may choose to include or exclude certain types of investments that align with your personal values.

So, you could refrain from investing in segments of the market, such as tobacco or firearms, or in companies that engage in certain business practices, such as animal testing. On the other hand, you could actively seek out investments that align with your values. For instance, if you’re interested in climate change, you could invest in a mutual fund or ETF that contains companies in the solar or clean energy industries.

One potential limitation of values-based investing is that it may decrease the diversification of your portfolio and lead to materially lower returns due to narrowly focused investments, prioritization of non-financial goals and too many exclusions.

Ultimately, if you choose to include a sustainable investing approach, you will want – as you do in any investing scenario – to choose those investments that are suitable for your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.

If sustainable investing interests you, give it some thought – you may find it rewarding to match your money with your beliefs.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Stories from Fort Hill Cemetery: Joseph Eaton (1800 – 1860)

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Fort Hill Cemetery, in Winslow

by Kit Alexander

As you walk through the entrance of Fort Hill Cemetery and look left, you will see a tall, granite obelisk dated 1886 with the name Eaton inscribed on it. The monument looks a little out of place in this humble, Winslow cemetery, but then, Joseph Eaton died a wealthy man. The simple but dignified memorial sits on the largest lot in Fort Hill, the resting place of Joseph and 15 of his direct and extended family members.

At the age of 17, Joseph came to Winslow from Bowdoin with his father, Solomon. Solomon already owned a store and other businesses in Winslow, and Joseph and he went into business together when Joseph turned 21. They engaged in trade of all types, using the rivers as their route of transportation. Besides running the store, they bought and sold land, traded in lumber, and owned several saw mills in the area.

During the years 1831 and 1834, Joseph was a selectman in the town. Elected to the Maine State Legislature from 1829-1832, he later served two terms in the Senate.

Joseph was one of the founders of the Kennebec & Somerset Railroad which stretched from Augusta to Waterville and then Skowhegan. It later became part of the Central Maine Railroad, and Joseph served as president for both.

As the years passed, Joseph engaged in other enterprises in the Winslow area, including the toll bridge over the Sebasticook River. He served as a trustee for the Waterville Liberal Institute and was president of the Ticonic Bank during the last ten years of his life.

So, we can see that the Honorable Joseph Eaton, as he was known, was a busy man, running lucrative businesses, standing for local and state offices, and lending his energy to the success of education and other community institutions. Joseph died in 1865 after a spell of paralysis, due, most likely, to stroke. His obituary described him as “…one of the most energetic and successful business men of Maine…”

In 1830, Joseph married Mary Ann Loring, of Norridgewock, and together they had nine children. Their first child, Abigail, born the year of their marriage, died at the age of seven, just three and a half years after the twins were born. Oddly enough, Abigail has two stones in Fort Hill, one in the family plot and another far away in the older section. Both stones are marked “Abbie Eaton” with a death date of 1837, so the grave must belong to the same person. Now why would that be?

The first twin, Charles, born in 1834, was initially a grain dealer, in Fairfield. In 1856, he married Mary Lucia Johnson, in Québec, Canada, and they later moved to Boston. He served in the Civil War, having been drafted in 1863. Charles died a single man in Plaistow, New Hampshire, of kidney disease in 1886.

Charles’ twin brother, Roland Leonard, appears to have been supported by his father throughout his life, living in hotels in Waterville over the years. Joseph left him one sixth of his estate in 1865, but appointed his wife and one of his sons as trustees. After five years, Roland could have free access to his inheritance if he had developed “…confirmed habits of sobriety and frugality…” An 1867 article in the Augusta, ME newspaper, Maine Farmer, described an accident in which Roland’s foot was crushed when he jumped onto a moving freight train. He died unmarried three years later.

Next came Joseph Jr., in 1837, who grew up to be a successful farmer in Winslow. He married Ellen Simpson in 1866, fathered two sons, and died three years later of heart disease. He was a Captain in Co. H. of the 19th Maine Infantry during the Civil War.

Mary Ann was born in 1839 and became the wife of Horace Batchelder in 1866. She spent most of her life in Boston and died there of heart disease in 1897.

Abbie Frances came along four years later. She was rewarded by way of a special gift in her father’s will, caring for him in his final days. She moved to Massachusetts to live with her sister after his death and married Lucius Allen in 1873, dying of heart disease in Boston in 1905.

Solomon, named for his grandfather, was born in 1846. He moved to Boston before 1860, lived with Abbie Frances, and worked in sales and bookkeeping. At the age of 59, he married Anna M. Bauer, 24 years his junior. They must have moved back to Winslow around 1832 when Solomon died and where Anna continued to live until her death in 1951.

Francis Loring was born in 1849, followed by Frederick three years later. “Frankie” and “Freddie” died nine days apart in 1857, most likely of infectious disease.

And so, at age 43, Mary Ann’s child bearing years were over. Six children had grown to adulthood in the Eaton household over a period 37 years, three having died in childhood. She passed away three years after Joseph, following what must have been a full life as the wife of a prominent businessman.

While four of the Eaton children moved to other states, they all came back to spend eternity with their family in Fort Hill. The only exception was Abbie Allen who was buried close by in Pine Grove Cemetery, in Waterville, along with her husband’s ancestors.

Besides Joseph’s nine children, Mary’s husband Horace, Joseph, Jr.’s wife, Ellen, their sons Walter and Joseph, and Joseph’s wife, Iva, were buried on the front of the plot. On the back was the resting place of Solomon’s wife, Anna, who lived until 1951.

One could assume that Joseph was the wealthiest man buried at Fort Hill. In 1850, the Winslow census showed him owning $50,000 worth of real estate. Five years before his death, the census recorded $60,000 in real estate and $10,000. in personal property, altogether worth well over $2 million in today’s money. His will contained 57 pages, and while his net worth was not indicated, it must have been significant.

And so, can we say Joseph and Mary Ann’s family was much like other wealthy families living in rural Maine in the middle of the 19th century? The father worked at a furious pace to enrich his town, increase his own wealth, and support his six children, while his wife, along with a few domestic helpers, managed the house and cared for their children. Death took three of their children early on, a common occurrence at the time.

But can we compare the Eaton family to one of today? One son appears to have been a “bad boy,” unable to conduct himself in an appropriate manner. Five children went on to live successful lives, four of them leaving the little town of Winslow for the big city. One son stayed behind, possibly to help his parents, working the land and dying at an early age. The youngest of them lived to be an old man, while the others, including Joseph, were prone to early death from heart disease. Both the Eaton family and the town of Winslow sent two of their sons to military service and brought them home again. Aside from its great wealth and the loss of three little ones, the family could be similar to others that live here today. Did the Eatons talk about the institution of slavery at their dinner table, much the same as equal rights for African Americans are discussed at supper tables today?

The older, southern part of Fort Hill, contains the graves of some of the men and women who were instrumental in carving Winslow out of the wilderness. When Joseph came to town many years later, his drive and determination helped it to continue to grow. He was responsible, in part or in whole, for some of the area’s institutions and businesses we may have heard of or can still see the remnants of today. The next time we drive north over the Sebasticook River bridge, we might think of this man and his family who are still memorialized not too far down the road and up the hill.

OBITUARIES for Thursday, January 5, 2023

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JOAN M. LARSEN

WINSLOW – Joan Marie Larsen, 77, died unexpectedly on Sunday, December 4, 2022, at Maine­General Medical Center, in Augusta. She was born May 31, 1945, in Waterville, the daughter of Henry J. Ber­geron and Vera Elve (Butler) Bergeron.

Joan graduated from Williams High School, in Oakland, class of 1964. She went on to take some college computer courses. In the mid-late 1960s, she worked for C. F. Hathaway Shirt Factory and the former Keyes Fibre (now Huhtamaki), in Waterville.

She married her best friend, Arthur N. Larsen, on September 28, 1968, cementing the phrase ‘Arthur and Joan’ in time. They were married for 50 years. Her life was all about her family. On top of always being there for them, she also worked with them, opening a gift store with her husband, Arthur, before their family business, the former Larsen’s Variety, in Fairfield. There, along with her two children, she welcomed every patron with a smile and friendly conversation, ready to cook them a meal from the store’s kitchen.

Joan cherished her children and grandchildren and loved spending time with them gathering to eat, taking day trips to meet up with them, and spending time on her son’s boat.

In addition to her mother, she was predeceased by her husband, Arthur; sister, Carol Bard, and her husband Emile, brother, Clifford Haynes, Jr.; son-in-law, Michael Stanley, Sr.; brothers-in-law, Dana Nelson, Allen Larsen, and Earl Shaw.

She is survived by her son Arthur B. Larsen and his wife Sheri, of Winslow, daughter, Melissa Stanley, of Fairfield; sisters, Linda Nelson, of Albion, and Evangeline Davidson and her husband Robert, of Waterville, sisters-in-law Shirley (Shaw) Huard, of Fairfield, and Joyce Larsen-Lord, of Waterville; seven grandchildren, Joshua Larsen, Samantha Stanley, Jacob Larsen, Michael Stanley, Jr., Shelby Stanley, Katelynn Larsen, and Caleb Larsen; many nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews.

A service of remembrance was held Thursday, December 29, 2022, at Gallant Funeral Home, on 10 Elm Street, Waterville, Maine. A private graveside service will be held in the spring.

A. ROBERT CASTONGUAY

WINSLOW – A. Robert “Bob” Castonguay, 97, formerly of 5 Lee Street, Winslow, died Thursday, December 8, 2022. in Rich­mond, Virginia. Bob was born April 18, 1925, in Waterville, son of the late Alfred and Bernice (Poulin) Castonguay.

A resident of Winslow for more than 82 years, Bob was an active communicant of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, and was employed by the General Services Administration and the Internal Revenue Service.

Bob cherished his time with family and friends, and was a devoted Grampy to his four grandchildren. Always on the go, Bob loved his “projects”, from building back yard playground sets for his grandchildren to helping out with home repairs and maintenance. Bob’s boundless energy and enthusiasm for projects were rooted in his love for the people in his life, in shared experiences and companionship.

Upon retiring in 1984, Bob became more active in wider community service that included assisting the elderly and the disabled. In March 1992, he was honored as a Local Winner of the Jefferson Awards for Outstanding Public Service, as one of the “Unsung Heroes” for his lifetime example of achievements and contributions through community and public service.

Bob served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a heavy machine gun squad leader in the European theater with the 20th Armored Infantry Battalion, 10th Armored Division. He returned to active duty during the Korean conflict, serving with the 33rd Infantry Regiment. After his discharge, he served with several active Army Reserve Units, and as a Senior Instructor with the 417th Training Group 76th Division. Over his distinguished military career, Bob’s awards and decorations included the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, among others. Always ready to serve, Bob was an active life member of the MacCrillis-Rousseau Post #8835 VFW, in Winslow, and of the Bourque-Lanigan Post #5, American Legion, in Waterville.

In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by his wife Maude (Douglass) Castonguay, whom he married July 4, 1951.

He is survived by his brother, Kenneth Castonguay, of Redondo Beach, California; son David (Kathleen) Castonguay, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. and daughter Linda (Thomas) Nicholson, of Richmond, Virginia; grandchildren Benjamin (Erin) Nicholson, Emily Nicholson, Andrew (Jackie) Castonguay, and Samuel (MaryGrace) Castonguay; great-grandchildren (William, Fiona, James Nicholson); sisters-in-law Sandra Macklin (David), of Hampden, and Sally (Peter) Enman, of Bangor; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

At his request, there will be no public visiting hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 26 Monument St., Winslow, at 10 a.m., on Monday, July 3, 2023, followed by a graveside service at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove Street, Waterville.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com

In lieu of flowers, Bob’s family encourages donations in Bob’s memory in support of the Maine Veterans Home, Augusta, http://www.mainevets.org/donate-to-maine-veterans-homes-2/ to the Veterans Services Foundation http://www.virginiaveteransservicesfoundation.org/donation/ in support of the Sitter and Barfoot Veterans Care Center, Richmond, Va., or to an organization of one’s choice.

BEVERLY A. WHITE

OAKLAND – Beverly Ann White, 92, of Oakland and Edgecomb, passed away on Friday, De­cember 9, 2022. Beverly was born in Hudson, to Mary and Clin­ton Blanchard on June 6, 1930.

Beverly graduated from Williams High School, in Oakland in 1949. It was in Oakland where she met the love of her life Clyde Jack White Sr. They were married in September 1950. They shared a long life together and have two children, Clyde and Linda.

Beverly loved gardening, camping, and traveling around New England with her husband. Most of all she loved her children.

Beverly gave her family many gifts: to her husband her heart and soul; to her children, her love and values; and to those that knew her friendship.

She’s the laughter you hear when you share something silly that happened to you, the one you share your travel adventures, Friday breakfasts, the one that worries about you long after you have left home, the one whose smile brightens a room when you call her to say hello and the hug you feel long after she stops hugging you.

When someone you love becomes a memory the memory becomes a treasure.

Beverly is survived by her son Clyde White Jr, his wife Rachel; her daughter Linda and husband Rick; her sister Mabel and husband Bob Nicholas; her sister-in-law Shirley Kelly and husband Alfred and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Clyde Jack White and several brothers and sisters.

A gravesite memorial at Lewis cemetery will be held at a later date. Memories and condolences may be shared at directcremationofmaine.com.

WAYNE J. LEMIEUX

BENTON – Wayne J. Lemieux, 76, passed away unexpectedly at home on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Born in Waterville on January 4, 1946, he was the son of Cornelius and Fern (Leathers) Lemieux.

He attended local schools and graduated from Winslow High School, class of 1964. After graduation he was employed by Fred’s Coffee, in Waterville, Scott Paper Company, in Winslow, Ron’s Used Parts, Consolidated Auto, RRAS Auto Parts, in North Vassalboro, and finished his working career at Caverly Farms, in Clinton.

He loved fishing with anyone, but especially with his granddaughter, Julia. He was a deer hunter, hunting every year until 2021, and a member of the Vassalboro Snowmobile Club while enjoying snowmobiling and ice fishing. Other pastimes he enjoyed were woodworking, gardening, and building his beautiful stone walls.

Wayne was predeceased by his parents, his father-in-law, Robert Elwell, and his granddaughters, Isabella Lemieux and Katherine White.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Ruth (Elwell); children, Adam Lemieux and his wife Tania, of Illinois, James Lemieux and his partner, Stacey, of Pittsfield, and Sarah Watson and her husband Tyler, of Vassalboro; grandchildren Julia White, of New Jersey, and Nicholas Lemieux, of Winslow; and step-grandsons, Edward and Charlie Cubberly, of Illinois; brothers, Bernard and his wife Pam, of Vassalboro, and Keith and his wife, Karen, of Winslow; sister, Sheila Lemieux, of Vassalboro; his mother-in-law, Erma Elwell, of Benton; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A celebration of life was held at St. Bridget Center, 864 Main St., Vassalboro, on Tuesday, December 20.

Arrangements are in the care of Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield where memories may be shared, and an online register book signed by visiting http://www.lawrybrothers.com.

In lieu of flowers, the Lemieux family respectfully requests contributions in Wayne’s memory be made to the Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb Road, Waterville, Maine 04901.

MARTHA A. BLODGETT

FAIRFIELD – Martha Ann (Hamlin) Blodgett, 69, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at the Sussman House, in Rockport. Martha was born in Waterville and was one of 21 children.

Ronnie Blodgett and Martha were married in 1972 and after having their first son, she primarily focused on staying home and raising her two boys.

Martha was raised in Fairfield where she and Ronnie also lived and raised their two sons, Ronnie Jr. and Toby.

Martha enjoyed going to the coast, crafts and sewing, baking and spending time with her sisters. She looked forward to her breakfast dates with her sisters and her annual weekend Christmas shopping trip to New Hampshire. Because of Martha’s love and desire to help people, she touched the lives of many families in the Central Maine area.
Martha adored her three grandchildren, Madison, Cameron and Olivia and there rarely was a time Martha missed a horse or sporting event of theirs.

Martha is survived by her husband, Ronnie. Her son, Ronnie Jr., his wife Heidi and their daughter, Madison, and her other son, Toby, his wife Shanna, and their two children, Cameron and Olivia.

She was predeceased by her parents, Robert Hamlin, Sr. and Marionette (Desmond) Hamlin, as well as several brothers and sisters.

There will be a celebration of Martha’s life in the Spring.

Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan ME 04976.

ROBERT D. WOODBURY

WINSLOW – Robert D. Woodbury, 84, died unexpectedly on Sunday, De­c­ember 18, 2022, of natural causes. Bob was born Jan­uary 26, 1938, in Brunswick, to Chester D. and Lauria (Peg) Beaulieu Woodbury.

After attending many schools in Maine, he graduated from Lawrence High School, Fairfield, class of 1956. He was in the Naval Reserve, and served two years on destroyers, Forrest Royal and John Paul Jones. The Royal was one of the fleets that opened the Saint Lawrence Seaway through the Great Lakes all the way to Duluth, Minnesota – Superior, Wisconsin, at the point of Lake Superior. There he met Marion Johnson and began a romance which lasted 65 years. They just celebrated their 62nd anniversary. They have a daughter, Linda Louise.

Bob was the radio voice of sports in Central Maine, while working for WTVL radio for about 20 years. He also worked seven years at channel 5 WABI TV, in Bangor, in many positions. The most fun was as Ringmaster Bob on the Bozo the Clown show. He returned to Waterville radio and sportscasting, and later became a writer and statistician for the Waterville Morning Sentinel.

On his third retirement, he worked nine years in customer service at the L.L. Bean Company. Bob also helped with many sportsmen’s groups like Trouts Unlimited and the Sportsmens Alliance of Maine. He was also named Maine’s Sportcaster of the Year, and to the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame and Thomas College Sports Hall of Fame.

His last few years were spent attending Senior College at Univerisy of Maine in Augusta and his special pride was as a volunteer at Travis Mills Found­ation.

At his request there will be no funeral.

Arrangements are in the care of Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield where memories may be shared, and an online register book signed by visiting http://www.lawrybrothers.com.

Gifts may be made to Travis Mills or a local animal shelter if desired.

ROBERT GRENIER

BELGRADE – Robert “Bob” Grenier, 85, passed away peacefully at his lakeside home on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. He was born August 5, 1937, in Win­slow, son of Romeo and Alice (Quirion) Grenier. He attended Winslow schools and graduated in 1956. He was enlisted in the Army from 1957 to 1959 and then spent two years in the Army Reserves. He met his life partner, Muriel Reny in 1959 and they wed on August 1, 1964.

In 1963 he began his career working for the Central Maine Morning Sentinel as a District Manager and in 1974 he became Assistant Circulation Director. In 1982 he was appointed Circulation Manager and took great pride in growing the newspaper working closely with the general manager, and dear friend, Bob Moorehead. In 1994, after 31 dedicated years of service, he retired from the Sentinel and accepted a position with Castine Energy Services as safety director, where he traveled and made lasting memories with wonderful friends until 2008.

Bob was a very active member of St. John the Baptist Parish, in Winslow, and dedicated many hours to teaching CCD classes as well as Pre Cana courses over the years with his wife. He had a passion for local politics and would often campaign and canvas for various friends. He had a great love of sports, especially football and was a devoted New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox fan. He loved gathering with his best friends for Friday lunches, discussing and arguing over sports, politics, and current events.

His lakeside home on Great Pond was his favorite place to be and many wonderful memories such as fishing for white perch, sunset boat cruises, lobster bakes, happy hours with his “Perfect Manhattans” and spending quality time with his family were made here. He was extremely proud of his family and loved it most when all were present sitting on the deck with him, watching the sunset. He loved to tell jokes, sing songs and was the life of every party and gathering.

Robert is survived by his wife of 58 years, Muriel (Reny) Grenier, of Belgrade; his two daughters, Kelly Phinney and her husband Jay Phinney, of North Berwick, and Nicole Duchette and her husband Andre Duchette, of Brunswick; five grandchildren, James Martin and his wife Jordan Martin, Robert Martin, Matthew Martin, Madelyn Duchette and Eleanor Duchette; one great- grandchild, James “Jimmy” Martin V; his three siblings, Lilian Vashon (Winslow), Jean Bolduc (Waterville) and David Grenier and wife Patricia (Winslow); and several nieces and nephews.

Bob had the most wonderful friends and he thought of them as family. Closest friends include the “entire” Jabar family, his Super Bowl/sailing friends and his lunch buddy, John Kiernan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church (Corpus Christi Parish) 26 Monument St., Winslow. The reception to follow directly after the Mass at Notre Dame Catholic Church Hall, 116 Silver St. Waterville.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed, and condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Robert’s Memory to The Maine Children’s Home, 93 Silver St., Waterville, ME 04901 or to MaineGeneral Hospice, PO Box 828, Waterville, ME 04903.

LINDA L. ANDERSON

VASSALBORO – Linda Lee Anderson, 64, of Vassalboro, passed away on Sunday, December 18, 2022. Linda was born on July 20, 1958, and grew up in Hallowell.

She graduated from Hall Dale High School in 1977. Linda was a compassionate, loving, and strong woman that always put others before herself. She spent her entire life taking care of those around her professionally and personally; whether it was taking her daughter to her basketball games after working all day, making homemade cookies, 6 a.m. phone calls, or doing the little things to make those in her life feel special. She was always there.

Linda was predeceased by her mother, Alyce Burns; her father, John G. Burns Jr.; and her brother, Robert G. Burns.

She is survived by her daughter, Sarah Rose Anderson; her fiancé and love of her life for 16 years, Dana Theriault; her sister, Katherine Carll; her sister-in-law, Karen Burns; her brothers, Peter Burns and wife Cheryl, and Richard Burns; and Godfather Gary Burns and wife Carolyn.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held on December 29, 2022, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 41 Western Ave., Augusta.

PAUL R. LYNCH JR.

ROME – Paul “Coach” Richard Lynch Jr., 79, of Rome, passed away on Fri­day Dec­em­ber 23, 2022. Paul was born in Melrose, Massa­chusetts. to parents Grace and Paul Lynch Sr.

Paul lived in Malden, Massachusetts, until 1954 when his family moved to Topsfield, Massachusetts. He graduated from Masconomet High School, in Boxford, Bridgton Academy, in Bridgeton, and Carthage College, in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

After college he married his wife Patty in 1967. Patty and Paul recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.

Paul was a physical education teacher and coached football for over 20 years at Lowell High School, in Massachusetts. In 1987 the Lynch Family moved to Rome, Maine, where Paul continued to teach and coach at Skowhegan Area High School for another 20 years.

Paul was a recognized football coach receiving numerous awards for his efforts. Throughout Paul’s coaching and teaching career he made a consistent positive impact on many students, athletes and others he was involved with. Paul had a special way of connecting, motivating and supporting those he was involved with.

After retiring, Paul was devoted to watching his grandchildren participate in many extracurricular activities. Paul rarely would miss a sporting event or a musical concert. Paul could be seen on the sidelines intently watching each event play by play. In addition, Paul always would have a smile on his face when he received a handmade piece of artwork from his granddaughter Muirean.

While living in Maine Paul had a successful carpentry business building homes and camps in the Belgrade Lakes region. Outside their time in Maine, Patty and Paul spent many winters in Anguilla where he continued to make friendships that would continue for many years. He is considered a local by all on the island.

Paul is survived by his wife Patricia (Taft); daughter Cheryl Winkin (son-in-law David), son Paul Lynch III (wife Dr. Heather MacMillan); daughter Sarah Impey (son-in- law Chad); brother Gary Lynch (wife Chirstie, son Tommy); grandchildren Bethany and Hope Winkin, Muirean and Graham Lynch, Catherine, Claire and Sadie Impey.

The family will be hosting a celebration of life in the spring, these details will be shared at a later date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at http://www.VeilleuxFuneralHome.com for the Lynch family.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Veilleux and Redington Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Travis Mills Foundation, 1002 Watson Pond Road, Rome, ME 04963, (https://travismillsfoundation.org/) or: the charity of your choice.

A scholarship fund in Memory of Paul will be made at Skowhegan High School. Donations may be made in his honor.

PHOTO: Strange encounter

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Charlie Ferris, 12, of Waterville, left, poses with New England Patriots team member Cole Strange on the field, at Gillette Stadium, in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on New Year’s Day, after the New England Patriots defeated the Miami Dolphins, 23-21. Strange was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round (29th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. (photo courtesy of Mark Huard)

SMALL SPACE GARDENING: Boost the health and beauty of your house plants

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by Melinda Myers

Fight the post-holiday blues with a bit of indoor gardening. Keeping your houseplants healthy and looking their best with a bit of grooming this winter is sure to lift your spirits.

Clip off any dead leaves as they appear. Use a sharp snips or bypass pruner to make a clean cut that looks tidy and closes up quickly. An occasional brown leaf is not usually a problem but if browning continues, it might be time to take action. Evaluate the growing conditions and make needed adjustments.

Brown leaves are often caused by low humidity which is common in many homes during winter. Boost the humidity in your home by grouping plants together. As one plant loses moisture through its leaves through transpiration the neighboring plants benefit. Add pebbles or marbles to the saucer or trays beneath the plants. Allow excess water to collect in the pebbles below the pot. As the water evaporates it increases the humidity right around the plant. Move plants that require moist soil and high humidity into a terrarium. They are attractive living decorations and make caring for high-maintenance plants easier.

Over and under-watering can also result in brown leaves, leaf edges, and tips. Water thoroughly when needed. Base frequency on the plants you are growing, room temperature and humidity. Tropical plants need more consistently moist soil while cacti and succulents like it drier. With lower light conditions in many homes, plants grow slower and may need less frequent watering in winter. Pour off any excess water that collects in the saucer which can lead to root rot.

Stop fertilizing indoor plants in winter unless they are actively growing. Applying fertilizer that plants don’t need can cause root damage, leading to leaf discoloration.

Trim off brown tips that are common on spider plants, dracaenas, Ti plants, and prayer plants sensitive to the chlorine and fluoride in water. Avoid the problem by using chemical-free water.

Wipe dust off the leaves with a damp cloth. Use a cosmetic brush to clean the fuzzy leaves of plants like African violets. Keeping your plants clean and well-groomed also helps reduce insect and disease problems.

Further protect plants from pests with Summit Sticky Traps (SummitResponsibleSolutions.com). Just place one or two in the pot with the sticky side exposed. The yellow attracts fungus gnats, aphids, thrips, leaf miners, and other harmful pests feeding on your plants. The sticky surface traps the insects causing them to die without the use of pesticides. Replace the trap once it is covered with insects or every three months.

Boost indoor plant resilience by providing the right amount of light. Move plants to a sunnier window or add artificial lights as needed. Then give plants a quarter turn every time you water. This promotes more balanced growth by exposing all parts of the plant to the light source.

Taking time to tend to your plants improves their health and beauty while elevating your mood and helping fight stress.

Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the recently released Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Summit for her expertise to write this article. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.