Baylor University, in Waco, Texas, celebrated nearly 1,800 graduates who received their respective degrees during summer and fall commencement ceremonies.
Among the graduates was Sarah Stevens, of South China, who received a master of science in communication sciences and disorders, from the graduate school, in August 2021.
by The Town Line staffThe Windsor select board on August 2 heard from Keith Hall, road supervisor, that all the paving is done. A few driveway repairs will need to be finished, and one on the Weeks Mills Road, which has a steep grade, will need fixing. They planned on beginning to paint lines the following week. Hall also reported the Sampson Road sign was taken and will be replaced.
At the transfer station, Town Manager Theresa Haskell reported, in the absence of Transfer Station Supervisor Sean Teekema, that the compactor area and the area under the large scale have been cleaned up. The painting of the large and small scales has been completed.
The monthly totals at the transfer station indicate revenues are down $1,398.92 from this time last year in July for a monthly total of $6,971.55.
At the Rest Haven Cemetery, Sean and Moira Teekema have painted seven panels. Bob and Liz Harriman continue to spray Wet & Forget on the stones. So far, 1,040 stones have one coat and 390 have two coats. They did 325 stones on July 25 and 26. There are 26 monuments that will need a step ladder to reach.
In other matters, Carol Chavarie and Jerry Nault were present to answer questions on the Draft UtilityScale Solar Energy Facility Ordinance. The question asked was how they came up with a 0.10 M.W. number. Nault responded that it was suggested by KVCOG which came from other town ordinances. There was much discussion on the requirements of permits and land value assessments.
The select board members voted 4-0 to authorized Haskell to vote on the MMA annual election on the board’s behalf. Select board member Ronald Brann was absent.
Haskell reported the time capsule has been ordered and will have the town seal engraved on top. There was discussion on different places to bury the time capsule. Selectman Andrew Ballantyne suggested town officials write a note to the future officials to read when the time capsule is opened in 100 years.
Haskell read a letter from Delta Ambulance regarding a possible yearly transport fee. She said this may be something that needs to be added to next year’s budget with an estimated cost of $15 per capita.
There was discussion about installing a heat pump in the town office and upstairs hall. Estimates will be sought.
Haskell also read a press release from municipal officials that the town of Windsor received a $2,427 dividend check from the Maine Municipal Association for its good performance and loss prevention programs. The press release is available on the town’s website under Municipal Government, The Town Hub.
There was also discussion on creating a new website for the town which would also make it mobile friendly.
The next meeting of the select board was scheduled for August 16.
by Mary GrowChina select board members held a short Aug. 15 meeting, followed by a tour of well-filled storage spaces in the town office building.
During the meeting, board members unanimously approved a larger-than-usual list of expenses to be paid – larger because it included the annual Kennebec County tax, which board chairman Ronald Breton said is over $544,000 for 2022-23.
For comparison, the auditor’s report in the annual town report for 2021 shows that China’s county tax was $472,622 for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2021 (not the most recent fiscal year that ended June 30, 2022), and $433,730 the previous year. The figures indicate an average annual increase over four years of between $35,000 and $40,000.
Deputy Clerk Jennifer Chamberlain led board members on the building tour, pointing out crowded storage areas. Informal discussion focused on how many documents could be digitized, eliminating the need to keep so many paper files.
China’s Municipal Building Committee is considering options for adding a new room to provide more storage space. Select board members have talked with committee chairman Sheldon Goodine at previous meetings, most recently on Aug. 1 (see The Town Line, Aug. 11, p. 2) and expect to hear from him again soon.
The next regular China select board meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, Aug. 29. A special meeting is almost certain to be held Monday, Aug. 22, with the time to be announced; and another special meeting is tentatively on the schedule for Tuesday, Sept. 6, a day later than usual because the town office will be closed Monday, Sept. 5, in observance of Labor Day.
China Cemetery Committee members and guest Kelly Grotton, whose town office duties include acting as semi-official town historian, met the afternoon of Aug. 9 primarily to hear a report from summer intern Savannah Clark.
Clark has been transferring information from China gravestones and town records to a program called Crypt Keeper Cemetery Software. She visited all but two of China’s 33 cemeteries, she said, sometimes in company with committee chairman and town office staffer Julie Finley.
Crypt Keeper records names, dates, relatives and other information for everyone buried in each cemetery. Veterans’ graves are noted, with the war in which the person served listed if known. Obituaries can be added, Clark said, for more details; and records can be updated to reflect new information and new burials.
China’s cemetery records are not yet on line, but Clark and Finley said they will be when the work is finished.
Clark said she did similar work in Vassalboro in the summer of 2021. The Town of Vassalboro website has a site on which researchers can look for people buried in the town.
Cemetery committee members also talked about work that needs to be done in China’s cemeteries. The town is responsible for almost all of them; the Chadwick cemetery on Route 32 South (Windsor Road) is maintained by a private association and two are maintained by the Society of Friends.
Cutting dead trees is an essential part of maintenance, Finley stressed; living trees are an attractive benefit, but dead ones are likely to fall and damage gravestones. Several trees were removed from Lakeview Cemetery, on Lakeview Drive.
Local forester Tim Basham sent a request to authorize removing a tree, or at least part of it, that threatens stones in the Deer Hill Cemetery.
Fences are another maintenance problem, Finley said. She has received several comments about the deteriorated fence along the front of the China Village Extension Cemetery, on Neck Road, and others need work. The Lakeview Drive cemetery fence had to be taken down to do the tree work and is replaced for now by a white rope strung between the posts.
Committee members briefly discussed wooden fences – Finley likes the appearance of white-painted wood – versus vinyl fences versus other types, like chains between posts or chainlink. Finley has had trouble getting cost estimates from fence companies, but she said vinyl appears to be expensive.
In addition to tree removal and fence repairs, which Finley recommended as priorities, Clark had compiled a list of 53 broken gravestones needing repair.
The 2022-23 cemetery budget China voters approved at their June 14 annual town business meeting was $49,500. Much of it goes for mowing, Finley said, with most-visible and most-visited cemeteries kept tidy all summer and isolated small ones mowed once a year.
by Mary GrowChina Planning Board members’ Aug. 9 meeting was only two minutes longer than their Aug. 4 public hearing on proposed amendments to Chapters 4 and 11 of the town Land Use Ordinance (see The Town Line, Aug. 11, p. 3).
They voted unanimously to forward the amendments to the select board in time for that group’s Aug. 15 meeting, with the goal of having them on a Nov. 8 local ballot for voters to approve or reject.
Other planning board members agreed with Walter Bennett’s summary: “The lack of comment [at the Aug. 4 hearing] proves we finally got it right.”
Next on their schedule, chairman Scott Rollins suggested, is a return to the solar ordinance board members have discussed off and on for months, perhaps starting with a review of town attorney Amanda Meader’s comments on the current draft.
“The more we discuss it, the more we realize how complicated it is,” Bennett said. But the final ordinance needs to be clear and simple, so that voters will understand it and, if it passes, solar developers will know what they can and cannot do.
Rollins suggested yet another possible topic, review of other sections of the Land Use Ordinance to see if provisions need to be clarified.
The next planning board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 23. Assistant Codes Officer Nicholas French said one or two pending applications might be ready by then.
by Mary GrowAt their Aug. 11 meeting, Vassalboro select board members set the 2022-23 tax rate at 14.4 mils, or $14.40 for each $1,000 of property valuation, a decrease of eight cents per $1,000 over the 2021-22 rate.
Assessor Ellery Bane offered board members several choices of rate. They considered two possible reductions or leaving the rate at last year’s $14.48 per $1,000, but dismissed any tax rate increase.
Their choice determined how much money they will have in the overlay account, set aside to cover tax abatements granted during the year. Town Manager Mary Sabins said Vassalboro seldom spends as much as $10,000 from that account; any of the proposed rates would have covered it.
Board member Rick Denico pointed out that few taxpayers would even notice a change of a few cents per $1,000 in their bills. He first proposed holding the current rate, but joined the other two board members in approving the slightly lower rate.
Board members appointed two new members of the Trails Committee, Sharon and Stephen Farrington, as recommended by committee chairman John Melrose.
The rest of the hour-and-a-half meeting was spent discussing the transfer station, the proposed solar ordinance, the town website and traffic at the East Vassalboro boat landing. No final decisions were made.
Transfer Station Manager George Hamar, who was not available to attend the meeting, wants a cover over the new trash compactor and two other minor modifications. After a brief discussion of cover options, board members put off further consideration until Hamar can join them.
Board members are considering developing an ordinance that would govern future commercial solar developments in town, because voters in a June 14 straw poll approved the idea by a vote of 239 to 58. Chairman Barbara Redmond and member Chris French have been working on a draft, with assistance from codes officer Ryan Page.
Planning board member Douglas Phillips suggested from the audience that commercial solar standards be added to the existing site review requirements, instead of writing a separate ordinance. He and Redmond agreed the planning board should be involved, and Redmond intends to get in touch with planning board chairman Virginia Brackett.
With agreement that a new ordinance or ordinance amendments cannot be ready for a Nov. 8 local vote, select board members voted unanimously to ask Sabins, in cooperation with the planning board and the town attorney, to draft an ordinance that would impose a moratorium on commercial solar development. They hope a moratorium ordinance can be ready to present to voters Nov. 8.
French would like to see a more comprehensive town presence on line – an expanded website, meetings available for on-line viewing and other changes he sees as promoting residents’ knowledge of and involvement in town government. He proposed seeking cost estimates for an update.
Audience member Dallas Smedberg asked whether people would be confused when they watched select board meetings without background on the issues discussed. Suggested solutions included reading select board minutes on the current website; or, Melissa Olson said, coming to meetings, where questions can be asked and answered.
Sabins told Holly Weidner minutes cannot be posted until more than two weeks after the meeting they document, because they are not official until select board members approve them at the following meeting.
Tom Richards described a chaotic traffic back-up at the East Vassalboro boat landing recently as people tried to park too many vehicles and trailers in the limited parking space at the landing and adjacent historical society grounds. Weidner, who lives nearby, said there are about a dozen parking spaces.
Richards is concerned about the potential for accidents when traffic is backed up and drivers are maneuvering trailers.
When boats arrive early in the morning for the bass tournaments China Lake hosts several times a summer, Weidner said, tournament organizers are there and keep parking orderly and traffic uninterrupted. However, after the bass fishermen fill the lot and local people start arriving, there is apt to be congestion.
Select board members have scheduled their annual goal-setting session for 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 6. This informal discussion of pending issues is open to the public, but not to public comment; the agenda is likely to cover some of the matters left unresolved Aug. 11.
The next regular Vassalboro select board meetings are scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 15, and Thursday, Sept. 29.
Codes officer to step down
Vassalboro Codes Enforcement Officer Ryan Page has emailed planning board members that Friday, Aug. 26, will be his last day in the position. After that date, codes enforcement issues and questions should go to Town Manager Mary Sabins.
On Saturday, August 6, Alan Johnston, U.S. Army veteran and commander for the Maine Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars, led the dedication of a hand-carved wood eagle to Wreaths Across America’s founder Morrill Worcester, as part of the organization’s annual Stem to Stone event in Downeast Maine.
The eagle was carved by 90-year-old Navy veteran George Gunning and painted by his wife of 70 years, Donna, both of Windsor, as a gift of thanks to Worcester and all those who carry out the Wreaths Across America mission to remember the fallen, honor those that serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom.
Over the last 15-plus years, the Gunnings have made more than 4,000 hand-carved and painted wooden, eagle-headed canes to donate to Maine veterans as an extension of the Eagle Cane Project started in Oklahoma. They do it as a labor of love for all those who served our country. The Gunnings were moved to create this larger eagle sculpture after learning more about the Wreaths Across America program and the impact it has had on veterans and their families across the country.
As part of the dedication, Johnston presented George and Donna a $1,000 check from the Maine Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars. A $1,000 donation was also presented by Johnston to Wreaths Across America Volunteer Location Coordinator for Togus National Cemetery, Deborah Couture, to sponsor veterans wreaths to be placed there this December as part of National Wreaths Across America Day – scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022.
Wreaths Across America is the nonprofit organization best known for placing wreaths on veterans’ headstones at Arlington National Cemetery. However, in 2021, the organization placed more than 2.4 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths at over 3,100 participating locations nationwide. Throughout the calendar year you can tune in to Wreaths Across America Internet Radio, 24/7, to learn more about the mission and those who support it across the country, as well as the hundreds of local charitable efforts nationwide that are funded through wreath sponsorships.
You can sponsor a veteran’s wreath anytime for $15 at www.wreathacrossamerica.org. Each sponsorship goes toward a live, balsam wreath that will be placed on the headstone of an American hero as we endeavor to honor all veterans laid to rest, at noon on Saturday, December 18, 2021, as part of National Wreaths across America Day.
14-year-old Parker Redlevske, speaking at the open house. (photo by Tawni Lively, Central Maine Photography staff)
Have you heard about the teenage boy in Maine that started his own electronics repair store? A year ago, Parker Redlevske, of Oakland, was your typical 13-year-old boy playing with friends, going to school, cracking jokes and pulling pranks. His parents say at a young age he has always been very smart, independent and curious of how things worked. He started watching videos on repairing electronics after breaking a few himself and really tested his parent’s patience as he took apart the electronics in their home. His interest in repairing went on to become a business after he spoke to it into existence at a business conference that he went to with his stepfather Jonathan Irwin.
Jonathan is the owner of Wireless Technology Solutions, a partner with Verizon, a company that he and his wife Amy Irwin use to work for. In fact, Parker’s store is in the location where the two of them worked and met. Growing up Parker would get dropped of at their stores while waiting for them to finish work. That is where Amy thinks a lot of Parker’s curiosities came for electronics as well as working with customers. “Parker is amazing with customers, giving them a warm greeting when they walk in, recommending devices and accessories to them, as well as repairing their devices and ringing them out. He is a natural and I really think it is because he grew up around this environment,” said Amy.
In 2020 Jonathan was looking to take his company to the next level and that is when he started being mentored by business mogul Grant Cardone. After spending time weekly with him on webinars, daily calls and at their headquarters, Jonathan decided it was time to share this knowledge. In July he brought his wife to a 10X Business Bootcamp and then she started her own business called No Negatives Photography.
The next event in September, he was looking to bring his staff, and when one member couldn’t attend, that is when Parker asked to go. He went and networked with business owners, got to meet Cardone and on day three, went up on stage and he asked Cardone, “What advice he had to give to someone young like him and what he could start doing now?”
Cardone praised him for going to the conference and gave him advice on leveraging his age and setting a target. Cardone gave Parker a $10,000 goal and asked how he was going to raise that money. That is when Parker told Cardone he had been learning to fix phones online. Cardone had Parker ask the audience to repair their phones and give him $100 for future payment. Parker then crowd-funded $1,800 from the audience and was given a new challenge. Cardone guaranteed to double Parker’s money if he could show it to him by the end of the year. Parker thought how he could protect that money and, on stage, told Cardone he could invest it to keep it safe. He then told Cardone, a real estate investor with a $5 billlion real estate portfolio, that he could invest it with him. The video from that day then went viral on the internet.
Co-owner and founder of Techy, Tim Phelps, saw the video and said he wanted to help Parker launch his business. Tim and the family did a webinar where he discussed wanting Parker to have skin in the game by raising the money for the franchise fee and Techy would help with the build out, additional training and support. Parker’s next task was to raise the capital for the franchise fee which he did in the matter of four months, and exceeded Cardone’s goal for him. In total, between what Parker had raised and Techy had invested had totaled to over $100,000 which exceeded the goal by ten times, that 10X founder/author Grant Cardone had set for him.
Parker asked his parents to homeschool him, and he went down to Techy HQ for training and then opened his store in May which quickly became a hit with the community. Parker then realized he needed more help, and that is when they reached out to Nick Rancourt, who comes with 30 years of IT/repair experience and was the missing piece they needed for Techy Waterville. Rancourt says he enjoys being able to help support and teach Parker with his years of experience but is amazed at how much Parker teaches him as well with his youthful knowledge and perspective.
Parker is carving a path for other youth and hopes to help kids realize age doesn’t matter if there is something they want to do in life, they just need to create a plan, how to get there, and take action. For more information, go to https://techycompany.com/waterville-me.
The China Lake Association (CLA) annual meeting was held Saturday morning on July, 30, 2022, in the China Middle School, on Lakeview Drive, in China, Maine. The meeting was both a celebration of the alewives return to China Lake and a tribute to the 50-year anniversary of the Clean Water Act… by Jeanne Marquis
Jack Sylvester, 83, was loved by many and affectionately known as “the Mayor of China.” Every person he met was a friend to be made. He passed away Saturday, July 30, at his China Village home, surrounded by family and certain as ever in his annual conviction that “the Red Sox won’t amount to anything this year”…
CHINA – China select board members spent a long Aug. 1 meeting going over a long agenda, with board member Janet Preston presiding in the absence of Chairman Ronald Breton. Ongoing issues included the proposed local fireworks ordinance; broadband expansion; the planned town office addition; using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money to help residents pay fuel bills; and town office hours…
CHINA – China Planning Board members held an Aug. 4 public hearing to explain changes in the town’s land use ordinance that are expected to be on the Nov. 8 local ballot…
CHINA – China select board members had two main items on the agenda for their Aug. 8 special meeting: China Broadband Committee (CBC) members asked them to put on the Nov. 8 local ballot a memorandum of understanding leading toward expanded broadband service in town…
AUGUSTA – Recycled Shakespeare Company (RSC) is bringing fun and romance to the end of summer with their free performances of William Shakespeare’s much-loved comedy, Much Ado About Nothing…
WINSLOW – One of Maine’s all-time most popular, beloved, and downright yummy summer events—Winslow’s annual Blueberry Festival—is coming this year on Saturday, August 13, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., to Winslow Congregational Church, 12 Lithgow Street, Winslow. Admission to the festival grounds is free…
CHINA – To submit an order for window inserts, or to volunteer, please call the China Town Office at 445-2014, send an email to chinaforalifetime@gmail.com, or visit the Window Dressers website and fill out the request form…
WINSLOW – David M. Carew, author of the new murder mystery/love story Lucy’s in the Neighborhood — set in contemporary Waterville — has launched the “Read a Story, Feed a Child” effort to benefit Winslow Community Cupboard food pantry…
CENTRAL ME – The Central Maine Football Senior Camp for ages 10-13 was directed by Lawrence H.S. head football coach John Hersom, with the help of Lawrence players, on July 25-27, at the Fairfield PAL field…
WATERVILLE – New Dimensions Federal Credit Union recently hosted its 8th Annual Cruisin’ for a Cure Car Show at the Lafleur Airport. On the morning of June 4, staff and volunteers arrived early to begin setting up for the biggest event they do all year…
Identify the film in which this famous line originated and qualify to win FREE passes to Railroad Square Cinema in Waterville: “Medulla oblongata.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is September 8, 2022…
CHINA/PALERMO – Endicott College, in Beverly, Massachusetts, has announced its Spring 2022 dean’s list students. Hunter Scholz, of Augusta, a history major, is the son of Kimberly Scholz and Stephen Scholz. Hailey Hobart, of China Village, studies/education major, is the daughter of Deborah Hobart and Daniel Hobart. Alana York, of Palermo, a business management major, is the daughter of Cheryl York and Andrew York…
VASSALBORO – Named to the dean’s list at Saint Michael’s College, in Colchester, Vermont, for the Spring 2022 semester was Cambelle Nutting, a junior business administration / gender studies major, from Vassalboro, and a graduate of Maranacook Community School…
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — This article is for people who enjoy an occasional glimpse into someone else’s life – nothing scandalous or earth-shaking, just odds and ends about the ordinary lives of people in another time. The main source is Henry D. Kingsbury’s Kennebec County history… by Mary Grow [2006 words]
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — Gold is unusual in Maine but not completely lacking. The Maine Geological Survey has on its website a list of streams, all but one in Franklin, Oxford or Somerset county, worth panning for gold. (The outlier is the St. Croix River, separating the United States and Canada; gold has been found in Baileyville, in Washington County)… by Mary Grow [1845 words]
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — “Augusta has been abundantly supplied…with the best of granite, easily quarried, and of convenient access,” Augusta historian James North wrote. He expressed surprise that the resource was not developed earlier; not only did the workers on the 1797 Kennebec bridge and the 1808 jail use boulders instead, but, he wrote, three gentlemen who built houses in the first decade of the 1800s brought granite for the foundations from the Boston area, “at great expense”… by Mary Grow [1858 words]
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — Attentive readers will have noted that the previous discussions of brickyards and brick-making have omitted the two cities in the central Kennebec Valley, Augusta and Waterville. Your writer deliberately saved them for last, because they have so many buildings of brick and granite as to deserve extra space… by Mary Grow [1929 words]
SOUTH CHINA — The South China Community Church, 246 Village St., South China, will hold a rummage sale, chicken BBQ and cookie walk, on Sat., Aug. 13, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.; chicken BBQ 11 a.m. until sold out. The sale will run again on Sat., Aug. 20, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m…. and many other local events!
BENTON – Bonnie Laprise, 66, of Benton, passed away peacefully, at The Androscoggin Hospice House, on Friday, July 29, 2022… and remembering 11 others.
SCORES & OUTDOORSby Roland D. Hallee | You catch a fast-moving, swooping bird navigate through the thick forest of trees. It looks more like a shadow. What was that? It lands on the trunk of a nearby tree, and begins a slow, rolling whacking sound against the bark of that dead tree. You look closer, it’s a pileated woodpecker…
REVIEW POTPOURRIby Peter Cates | I have vivid 1950s memories of some very engaging shows that were syndicated to the five channels that came in on the television sets in East Vassalboro (I should add that we were the last family in the village to get a TV set – a bulky used Philco which my grandmother Annabelle Ingraham Cates purchased for $30 from our local repairman, Richard Dowe, who was based in South China, and it arrived in early November 1959. For myself, it was the equivalent of the Second Coming, heaven on earth)…
LIFE ON THE PLAINSby Roland D. Hallee | A pictorial look at oldtime Waterville…
(NAPSI) | Every step of the way, women, especially mothers, have a lot to juggle. While trying to conceive, being pregnant, raising children and going through menopause, their to-do lists are long. One important task which may not be the first to come to mind is maintaining good oral health…
CLINTON – Albert B. Parent, 87, passed away on Thursday, July 21, 2022, in Clinton. He was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, on January 3, 1935, to Adelbert and Bellva (Brunelle) Parent.
He joined the army on January 21, 1955. He served in New Ulm, Germany, for 21 months. He was a radio instructor teaching Morse Code to eight different stations and received a good conduct medal. He was discharged in January 1958.
In 1958 he moved to Santa Monica, California, where he met Olive (Farwell) Kincaid and her four children. They had a child named Gene A. Parent on August 3, 1963, and were married in July 1960. He worked in retail for over 40 years. Last being at TJ Maxx, in Augusta, retiring in December 2011.
He was predeceased by both parents, wife Olive and sons, Larry Kincaid, and Gene Parent. Also, his brothers, Leo Aldebert and Robert and sisters, Theresa and Yolande.
He is survived by daughters, Alberta, and Roberta and son Daniel and their families; his brothers, Normand Raymond and their families; many nieces and nephews; as well as grandchildren. He had great-grandchildren.
The celebration of life will be held at Holy Cannoli, on August 14, 2022, at 11 a.m., on Main Street, in Waterville.
Memorial services are at Mt. Vernon Veteran’s Cemetery, in Augusta, on Monday, August 15, at 2 p.m.
Arrangements are by Dan and Scott Cremation & Funeral Services.
In place of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude’s hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
WATERVILLE – Patricia M. Knight, 84, of Waterville, passed away on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at MaineGeneral Medical Center. Patricia was born, in Winslow, on April 30, 1938, the youngest daughter of the late Joseph Bolduc and Martha (Violette) Bolduc.
Patricia attended Winslow schools and earned an accounting degree at the University of Maine Augusta.
Patricia retired from Inland Hospital, inWaterville, in 2000 after 33 years in the accounting department. Patricia then worked for H&R Block for 14 years where she retired in 2014. Patricia worked during her retirement part time for Belgrade Auto.
Patricia was a member of Corpus Christi Parish where she served as a lector, CCD teacher and was on the Pre-Cana committee as part of the speaker couples.
Patricia was a past member of HFMA serving on the board, also serving on the Board of Delta. Patricia was a life member of the MacCrillis-Rousseau VFW Post #8835, in Winslow.
Patricia’s favorite place was Great Moose Lake where she enjoyed spending time with her family, boating, swimming, fishing, and tending her flower garden.
She was predeceased by her son Gregg, grandson Tobey Hockridge, two sisters, Doris Reid and Gloria, six brothers, Armond, Hector, Lucien, Richard, Ray and Norris.
Patricia is survived by her husband of 67 years, James W. Knight; her daughters, Cindy Hockridge and husband Stu, of South China, Tricia Maheu and husband David, of Belgrade; her daughter-in-law Patricia Knight, of Arizona; her sister Lillian Lovett, of York; three grandchildren, Kim Knight, of Arizona, her three children, Alex, Aiden and Maddie, Danny Knight, all of Arizona, Erik Maheu and his wife Robyn, from Winslow; two sons, Maddox and Julien, Tobey’s daughters, Payton and Paige from Colorado Springs Colorado; several nieces and nephews.
A memorial Mass was held on Wednesday, August 10, at 9 a.m., at Notre Dame Catholic Church, in Waterville.
The family requests no flowers.
OAKLAND – Claude Louis Castonguay, 73, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, following a year-long battle with cancer. Claude was born December 29, 1948. He is the son of Alcide and Marguerite (Noel) Castonguay.
Claude attended schools in Frenchville, and was drafted into the military shortly after. Claude was a lifelong service member of the Army Reserve, having completed tours in Vietnam and Iraq until his retirement in 2008. Claude also worked for the Maine Department of Transportation for over 25 years.
Claude is survived by his wife Linda (Michaud) of 51 years; his daughter Cheryl, of Waterville; daughter Sharon and her fiancé Anthony, of Oakland; and son Eric and his girlfriend Nicole, of Feeding Hills, Massachusetts; his grandchildren, Colby, Jordan, Dylan, Brianna, Jeremih, and Julian.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 a.m., on Monday August 8, 2022, at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 116 Silver Street, Waterville, and then transported to Maine Veterans Cemetery, in Augusta.
Arrangement are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memory shared at http://www.gallantfh.com
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fisher House (fisherhouse.org) who provide temporary housing for family members of sick veterans.
WINSLOW – Richard J. Glover, 82, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Androscoggin Hospice, in Auburn. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on January 16, 1940, the son of Frederick and Eleanor Glover.
Dick grew up in Connecticut where he attended and graduated from Devry Tech Institute. He also attended the University of Connecticut, where he excelled in track and field.
During his summer visits to Maine to help at his grandparents’ farm, Dick met the love of his life, Nancy. They were married at Notre Dame de Lourdes church, in Skowhegan, on May 28, 1960, and thereafter moved to Norwalk, Connecticut, where Dick worked for Nash Engineering. He began his longtime position with Sherwin Williams in 1962, once returning to Maine, until retirement in 1996.
The couple settled in Auburn, where they raised their family.
The drums were Dick’s passion. He had played with a jazz band in Connecticut, and then played with several Country Bands here, in Maine. Dick also taught drum lessons at a Lewiston studio.
Dick was a member of the Kiwanis Club, in Madison, where he was president for two years. He was also a member of the Skowhegan-Madison Elks, and his genuinely caring heart led him to volunteer for many organizations. Dick and Nancy loved their homes, on Lake Wesserunsett.
Following retirement, Dick enjoyed his home workshop, where he cleverly designed and built several pieces of furniture. Among his many joys, was sitting down with a good book – often chosen from his extensive collection.
Together, they enjoyed wintering in Florida for nine years, where they golfed and traveled. He knew how to make everyone around him laugh. He also had a more serious side, and he was always willing to impart wisdom, whenever asked.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy; their three children: Richard Glover, Jr. and wife Celeste, of Old Orchard Beach, Kelly Seegmiller and husband Robert, of Marana, Arizona, and Madison, Debbie Vickers and husband David, of Azle, Texas; five granddaughters, Michelle Love and fiancé Nick Allen, Nicole O’Brien and husband Michael, Savanah Behan and husband Brian, Alyssa Larson and husband Blake, and Brianna Santos & husband Julian; five great-grandchildren, Liam Love, Fin Love, Bryson Carter, Charlie Wilder, and Norah Jo Santos; his brother, Robert Glover and wife Jodi; sister-in-law Kathy LaGasse and husband Edward; three nephews; and several cousins.
Dick was predeceased by his parents, and a cousin, Shirley Hodgdon.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home in Skowhegan.
There was a memorial service held at the funeral home on Thursday, August 11, at 1 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at 2 p.m., at The Heritage House, in Skowhegan.
Condolences may be offered at http://www.smartandedwardsFH.com
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of Dick Glover to the Dementia Society of America at http://www.dementiasociety.org/donate.
OAKLAND – Crystal Lynn Gallant, 51, unexpectedly passed away on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at her home, in Oakland. She was born on September 27, 1970, in Waterville, to David “Dick” R. Thebarge, Sr. and Marlene M. (Marcoux) Howard.
Crystal married Donald H. Gallant in 1990 and had two daughters, Angelena Gallant (age 31) and Courtney Gallant (age 27). Crystal loved seeing her daughter’s accomplishments and listening about their adventures. It always brought a smile to her face.
Later in life, after Crystal and Donald separated, Crystal found love with Ronnie McBreairty and his two sons, Lowell, and Ryan McBreairty.
Crystal loved listening to some country music and gathering with family members. Crystal sought out the good in everyone and made many friends along the way.
Crystal’s occupation was a food service worker at Dana Dining Hall, at Colby College, in Waterville. She worked closely with many beloved coworkers since October 1, 2008.
She is survived by her daughters, Angelena, and Courtney; siblings, Lisa Thebarge, and Joshua Thebarge; nieces, Amber Oakes, and Hannah Moody; alongside many other family members and friends.
Crystal was predeceased by her parents, Marlene, and David; stepfather, Lewis “Picky” Howard; brother, David R. Thebarge Jr.; grandparents, Andrienne (Roderick) Marcoux and Donald Marcoux; and her fiancé of 15 years, Ronnie McBreairty.
A graveside burial ceremony for Crystal will be held at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery; 78 Grove St., Waterville, on Thursday, August 18, at 11:30 a.m.
Arrangements are in the care of Wheeler Funeral Home, 26 Church Street, Oakland, where condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at http://www.lawrybrothers.com.
Flowers or donations to the family can be sent c/o Wheeler Funeral Home.
FAIRFIELD – Jeffrey Oliver Bickford, 74, passed away at home on Thursday July 28, 2022. He bravely endured pulmonary fibrosis for three years. Jeffrey was born in Waterville, on April 10, 1948, the son of Frederick Hartson Bickford and Maxine Louis (Mushero) Bickford, both of Fairfield.
He was raised in Fairfield, attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary School and Lawrence High School as a member of the class of 1966.
He was an original founder of PHB with his brother Jim Bickford, and Larry Warren, and was later joined by his brother Jon. In his capacity as a builder and carpenter Jeffrey built hundreds of homes in the greater Fairfield area. He later trained as a millwright and worked his way up to superintendent. In that capacity he worked for Cianbro Corp., Pizzagalli Construction, Abbington Constructors and Rust Construction, to name a few. During those years, he traveled across the Northeast and Michigan to service and rebuild essential equipment in the paper mill and other industries. He was well respected and in high demand in his field.
In his youth Jeffrey enjoyed basketball and was a varsity player for Lawrence High School. His athleticism and enthusiasm for the outdoors and engines provided endless hours of enjoyment, including competing in small tractor pulling, stock car racing at Unity Motor Speedway, motorcycle enduro racing (a sport where aged 29 was considered “over-the-hill”). He was considered a “ringer” in golf tournaments dressed in his denim overalls and work boots. His sense of humor and story telling were widely known and admired as two of his best qualities.
Jeff built many houses in his long life, but the home he enjoyed the most was the “down-back” home surrounded by trees, ponds, and wildlife. As a boy he even camped out there and dreamed of a life on this special spot. He particularly enjoyed sitting on the porch watching the ducks and geese in the pond, turtles meandering, the deer raising their young and the garden bearing the gifts from his land. The pond he had built brought hours of enjoyment; even as his health was declining he watched his great-grandchildren Benjamin, MacKinzy, Ry-Ry, Serenity and Sage swim and play. The whole family gathered and picnicked together on the land that meant so much to him.
He was predeceased by his parents, Fred and Maxine, his sister-in-law Gail Bickford, his brother-in-law David Weigel, and his brother-in-law Dana J. Slye. The most impactful and tragic was his infant son who lays resting in St. Francis Cemetery, in Waterville.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Deborah Slye-Bickford; his children Holly Marie Demo, Crystal Lee Ann Pressey and her husband Bo, Paula Anne Criss and her partner Nathaniel Cobb; and a daughter from whom he is estranged; his grandchildren, Nicholas “Nick” J. Casey and his wife Deni, Ryan P. Casey and his wife Becky, Kristen Smiley and her husband Brian, Lindsay Batchelder and her husband Evan, Codey Casey, Dylan Huff, Devin Huff, his youngest Katelynn Pressey, and her sister Kelly; his great-grandchildren, Benjamin Smiley, MacKinzy Booker, Ryan Casey, Marlon and Lorelei Batchelder, and Cadence and Graysen Murray; his siblings, Dr. Joseph “Jerry” Bickford, Phyllis Dubois and her husband Stanley, James Bickford and his wife Giselle, Jonathan Bickford, and Theresa Weigel; his sisters in-law, Deanne Slye, Darby Slye and Nancy Hudnall; and brother in-law Dean J. Slye; many nieces and nephews; a cousin Allen Foster and niece Laura Slye and her partner David Erickson; his first wife and mother of his children Marilyn Bickford.
Per his wishes, there will be no formal services. An out-door celebration of life will be held on the grounds of his “down-back” home on Saturday, August 20, 2022, starting at 1 p.m. More details will be posted by Crystal Pressey via social media. His burial will take place at the newly-constructed family plot on the property.
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.
For those who wish to honor his memory, please make donations to the Humane Society Waterville Area (www.hswa.org), 100 Webb Rd., Waterville, ME 04901, for all the special pets he held dear in his lifetime.
WHITEFIELD – Andrew Bunker Berry, 82, of Whitefield, passed peacefully on Friday, July 29, 2022. Andrew was born in Malden, Massachusetts, on September 4, 1939, the son of Katherine Pew and Richard Berry.
He grew up in Cape Elizabeth, graduated from Hebron Academy and went on to earn his bachelor’s in economics at Cornell University.
Andrew was most known throughout Maine and the local community as the long-time owner of Maine Helicopters, Inc., where he worked on many agricultural, tower and construction projects throughout the state. He served on the Board of Pesticides, and locally, the Whitefield Appeals Board. He was also a member of The Whitefield Historical Society.
“Andy” had friends in every corner of Maine. Doors were always open to him for a cup of coffee, a meal, or libation. His quick wit, smile and charm won him many lifelong friends.
It was no secret that Andrew’s greatest passion was pleasure boating on the Maine coast. This passion for being on the water coupled with his love for traditional Maine working boats landed him right in the middle of the lobster community. He not only enjoyed using a lobster boat design for his own boat, but he and his boat of the moment were well known at the Maine Lobster Boat Races. He served on the Lobster Boat Race committee and often was the acting “committee boat”. When his duties as committee boat captain were done, he could be found right in the middle of a raft of race boats and other fans celebrating the weekend’s events.
Once retired, he and his girlfriend Jenn enjoyed a flotilla of other passionate boaters, where they would cross the Bay of Fundy and ultimately rendezvous in St. John, New Brunswick/ Nova Scotia. In later years, Andrew did not sail as far as he used to, but the couple enjoyed quieter times at Long Cove, in Vinalhaven, with other boaters and friends on the island.
Though boating was his main passion, he had many hobbies and favorite places. He enjoyed time spent at the family camp on Eustis Ridge, wintered at Tybee Island and Belize. As for hobbies, he made his own maple syrup, took wood-turning classes, sketched, cooked and liked to throw a good party.
Most memorable were his gatherings with family and a few lucky friends. He loved a good potluck and always enjoyed a glass of homemade liqueur made by his youngest brother Tom. At a certain hour, you could be sure that the furniture would be pushed aside and there would be dancing to his favorite band, “The Chambers Brothers”.
Andrew was predeceased by his parents, and grandson, Connor McLean.
He is survived by his children Jon Berry and wife Jessica Moreau-Berry; Elizabeth Berry MacKenney and husband Scott MacKenney; granddaughter Madeline McLean; siblings Ted Berry and Thomas Berry; and girlfriend Jennifer Paul.
There will be a gathering and celebration of his life this fall in Whitefield, date to be announced soon.
BENTON – Bonnie Laprise, 66, of Benton, passed away peacefully, at The Androscoggin Hospice House, on Friday, July 29, 2022.
She was an outdoor person who loved to hunt, fish, snowmobile and garden. One of her great joys was cooking for her loved ones. She loved socializing with friends and family around the campfire. She touched many lives and will be missed by many. She had a close and lifelong connection with her mother and brother.
She is survived by her husband, of 33 years, Bob Laprise, and his daughter Dawn Smith and her spouse Brian Dolloff, and their three children, Philip, his daughter Merida, Chris, Dave and daughter Charlotte; her daughter Dodi Olsen and her children, Mason and Kyle Touchette, Jay Anderson his children, Nick and spouse Mary Anderson and Kaylee and Devin L. and child Kylie; three sisters, Sandy and her spouse Rodney Knox, Linda and her spouse Bill Bowe, and Laurie Aldrich; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Albie and Theresa Laprise; several great-grandchildren including one on the way; and a niece.
She was predeceased by her parents, Peggy and Mose Aldrich, brother Ricky Aldrich and a granddaughter Brittany Brown.
There will be no services.
If you desire, in lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Androscoggin Hospice House or Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation.
WINSLOW – Darrick John Delile, 43, passed away Friday, July 29, 2022, at the Alfond Center for Health, in Augusta. He was born January 6, 1979, in Waterville, the son of Robert J. and Cynthia J. (Tardiff) Delile.
He attended Winslow High School. He was employed at U-Haul and was an attendant with K-Mart. He was an avid basketball fan.
Darrick is survived by his son, Dominic Clifford, of Smithfield; parents, Robert and Cynthia Delile, of Winslow; uncles, John Delile, of Winslow, and Roger Bouchard, of Bend, Oregon; aunts, Karen Delile, of Winslow, Nancy Boulette and Brenda Hawkins,, both of Waterville, and Jackie Grenier, of Winslow; his son’s mother, Jessica Clifford, of Smithfield; godmother, Janet Pellitier.
He was predeceased by his older brother, Shane Delile.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held Tuesday, August 23, 2022, at 10 a.m., at St. John Church, Monument Street, Winslow.
Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan, ME 04976.
In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations to the Skowhegan High School Tennis and/or Basketball Program, 61 Academy Circle, Skowhegan, ME 04976.
WATERVILLE – Eugene “Gene” E. Couture, 91, passed away, in Waterville, on August 1, 2022. He was born October 4, 1930, the son of William and Elizabeth (Dostie)Taylor. Gene graduated from Waterville Senior High School, class of 1949, then graduated class of 1957 from Thomas Business College, in Waterville, with a degree in business administration and higher accounting, receiving the Thomas College Higher Accounting Award. He went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force from 1950-1954.
Gene worked for his father at the family business, W.A. Taylor, in Waterville, (established in 1928), from the age of 12. After coming home from service, he returned to his father’s business. In 1970, he became general manager until semi-retirement in 1994. During this time, he met the love of his life Judith Traynor Couture. They were married on May 14, 1966, and spent 56 years together. Gene had been employed 49 years at W.A. Taylor, finally selling the building in May 2003, retiring at the age of 72.
In addition to his work, Gene was also a member of the Bourque-Lanigan American Legion, Post #5, in Waterville, for many years, as well as a member of the Parish of the Holy Spirit as a collector, did the Sunday morning soup kitchen for St. Francis de Sales parish, was the director of Keso Federal Credit Union for 15 years. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, Senior League Bowling, and family outings and trips.
He was predeceased by his parents William and Elizabeth, sister Agnes Pomerleau and husband Frank, Cecile Dugas and husband Larry, brothers Kenneth and wife Marie, Reginald and wife Orita, and Bernard.
He is survived by his wife Judy and daughter Michelle; his brothers Jimmy and wife Enola, and Harvey and wife Renette; and sisters Jenny, Norma, Rita, and Betty.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 116 Silver St., Waterville, Maine 04901.
An online guestbook may be signed, and condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com.
UNITY – Martha A. Perkins, 90, died peacefully on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, in Waterville. She was born on February 18, 1932, in Unity, one of 10 children born to the late Melvin and Hazel (Dodge) Hubbard.
She retired from Ethan Allen Furniture, in Burnham.
Martha loved and lived for her family. She helped to raise one of her granddaughters, was kind and generous, and was a very loving mother and grandmother. She liked diamond painting, making ceramics, and watching Westerns on TV. She really enjoyed going to the casinos to play the slot machines.
She is survived by her children, Starr Davidson, of California, Pamela Robinson and her husband, Horace, of Albion, Melvin “George” Perkins, of Thorndike, and Timothy Perkins and companion Angela Kennedy, of Knox; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; two sisters: Ruth Smith and Jayne Hutton, both of Thorndike; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Dennis Perkins Sr., son Dennis Perkins Jr.; and seven siblings, John, Melvin, Lawrence, Ernest, Hazel “Snooky”, Raymond, and Gertrude.
A celebration of life will be held from 1-5 p.m., Sunday, August 14, 2022, at the Snow Duster’s Club House, Fischer Road, Unity, Maine.
To leave a message of kindness or to share a memory, please visit http://www.shoreynichols.com.
Care has been provided by Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home, Pittsfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital Research, 510 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, or http://www.stjude.org.
WATERVILLE – Nelson J. McIntire, 95, a longtime resident of Readfield, Monmouth and Lakeville, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully Wednesday, August 3, 2022, at Inland Hospital, in Waterville. He was born on November 22, 1926, the son of Merrill McIntire and Pearl (Gregory) McIntire, in Acushnet, Massachusetts.
Nelson attended schools in Massachusetts and Maine. He married Lila Horn on February 24, 1947, and were married for 52 years, before her passing in February 1999. He had worked at Albany Felt and Tex Tech Industries. Nelson enjoyed hunting, fishing and dabbling in real estate. He also enjoyed spending time with family and friends.
He is survived by one son Michael McIntire, of Canaan; three daughters, Deborah Stufflebeam, of Monmouth, Sherrie McIntire, of Pittston, and Charline Horsford, of Wareham, Massachusetts; his companion Shirley Tibbets, of Benton; 17 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Lila McIntire, a son, Merle McIntire; a daughter, Elizabeth Smith, two grandsons; Jason and Chad Bumpus, a brother, Merle McIntire and a sister, June Greene.
Messages of condolence may be sent to: http://www.finleyfuneralhome.com
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at a later date. Interment will be at Central Cemetery, Center Street, Middleborough, Massachusetts.
Arrangements by Bragdon-Finley Funeral Home, 707 Main Street, Monmouth, Maine.