OBITUARIES for Thursday, December 15, 2022

CRAIG D. LEIGHTON

CLINTON – Craig D. Leighton, 46, of Clinton, passed away Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at GrayBirch Long Term Care facility, in Augusta, following a long and hard-fought battle with Hunt­ington’s Disease. Craig was born in May 1976, in Augusta. He attended Hall-Dale High School, graduating in 1995 and then completed three years of college at Zion Bible Institute, in Barrington, Rhode Island, where he was studying to be a youth pastor.

He married his wife, Christine (Darling) Leighton, in June 1997, and just celebrated their 25th anniversary this past June.

Craig’s faith was extremely important to him, and he was actively involved in the church he grew up in, Mountaintop Christian Fellowship, in Oakland, where he worked as a youth pastor for several years. Craig also worked as a supervisor at Good-Will Hinckley School , in Hinckley, for over a decade. Craig’s love for working with teens, especially those who were struggling, was known by all who knew him well. One of Craig’s fondest memories was taking a mission trip to Turkey and Bulgaria. He loved the people he met there and hoped to one day go back.

Craig is survived by his wife, Christine (Darling) Leighton, of Clinton; and their two children, Ashley Nichole Leighton, also of Clinton, and Austin Craig Leighton, who is currently stationed in Arizona with the U.S. Army; his parents, Paul and Sandra (Gibbons) Leighton, of Oakland; his brother Derek Nickerson and his wife Michaela (Foster) Nickerson and their two children, Macy and Timmy Nickerson, all of Oakland.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Michael and Troy Leighton.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Centerpoint Community Church, located at 155 West River Road, in Waterville, on Friday, December 23, at 11 am. Following the service, food and beverages will be provided.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville, Maine 04901.

An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America for continued research to find a cure at Huntington’s Disease Society of America, 505 Eighth Ave. Suite 902, New York, NY 10018.

TRACIE E. YOUNG

CLINTON – Tracie E. Young, 55, passed away on Thursday, December 1, 2022. Tracie was born December 12, 1966, in Bangor, the youngest daughter of the late Harold C. Young and Mary V. (Pollard) Young.

Tracie worked for the Red Cross, Unitel, and Colby College, in Waterville. Ultimately, Tracie’s most rewarding “job” was raising her grandchildren, Jordan and Jaiden Roye, as her own at home, in Clinton.

Tracie had a very gracious and generous spirit.

Tracie is survived by her mother, Mary Young; life partner Ernest (Ernie) Tyler; children Melissa Roye and William Tyler; grandchildren, Jordan and Jaiden Roye, Alexis and Noella Tyler; siblings and spouses, Scott Young and wife Bobbi, Michael Young and wife Patty, Kimberly Caswell and husband Kurt, and Bethany Nelson and husband Howard; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A private celebration of Tracie’s life will be held in the spring.

Memories and condolences may be shared at directcremationofmaine.com.

Please consider doing a good deed for a person or persons, known or unknown, in her memory.

HERBERT A. IRISH

FAIRFIELD – Herbert A. Irish, 78, of Fairfield, passed away Friday, December 2, 2022. Herbert was born on August 24, 1944, in Clinton, to the late Glenburn and Seenna Irish.

He graduated from Clinton High School, the class of 1962. Herbert drove a school bus, worked in the woods and volunteered for the Clinton Fire Department and food bank. He worked for Scott Paper Co., in Winslow, for 30 years.

He loved to hunt and fish, and did so for many years with his buddy Lawrence “Hawk” and his granddaughter, Rachel. Herbert, with his dog, Wild Bill at his side, took home the winning coon hunting State line Title, at Lyman.

He was a gruff man whose bark was bigger than his bite as he truly had a heart of gold. Herbert also liked going to concerts, partying, and roller skating.

He was predeceased by his parents; his grandparents; his brothers Eugene Irish, Louis Irish and Sonny Irish and his wife, Bunny Irish.

Surviving are his partner, Rolena Irish; his son, Robert Irish; his grandchildren Ashley Gerry, Rachel Irish (who he raised since she was 2 years old), Tila-Rae Irish, and Seth Irish; his great-grandsons Tex and Owen; and his sisters-in-law Linda, Mary (Hazel), Regina, Cindy and Melissa; and his niece, Glendia Irish-Arrigoni.

A celebration of life and graveside service will be held in the spring. Memories and condolences may be shared at directcremationofmaine.com.

KYVELE G. ST. PETER

WATERVILLE – Kyvele Gregory St. Peter, 97, passed away on Sunday, December 4, 2022, at home. Kyvele was born on February 15, 1925, in Anemotia Mytilene, Greece, to George and Sophia Hadidiacos.

In 1946 Kyvele’s parents, together with her brother and sister, came to the United States. Because Kyvele was over the age of 19 years old, immigration laws prevented her from joining them and she was left behind. Kyvele was left without any family as her other two brothers were serving in Germany. This was a difficult time for all. Deeply missing her family, it was to be five years before they were reunited. This became possible when Kostas I. Gregory, a good friend of Kyvele’s parents, offered to marry her. Going to Bermuda, Kyvele was met by her father who introduced her to her future husband. Kyvele and Kostas married in 1951 and stayed in Bermuda for three months until her visa came through.

Upon their arrival to the United States, Kyvele and Kostas settled in Waterville, and had a Greek Orthodox wedding at St. George Church, in Bangor, in August 1952. Together they raised two sons, Kostas and George, while maintaining a successful apartment rental business, which Kyvele continued to run until the age of 94. Coming to the United States and marrying Kostas Gregory improved Kyvele’s life, but he passed too soon. Kyvele had to start a new life once again. Upon Kostas’ death in 1960, Kyvele assumed full responsibilities. She had a difficult time with the English language, raising two young sons and running a business on her own. Because of her education in Greece, attending English classes for several years wasn’t too difficult. Kyvele went on to get her driver’s license and worked in the rental business as a single parent for four years.

In 1964, Kyvele married Sheldon E. St. Peter and life became easier with his help. In 1966, Kyvele proudly received her American citizenship. Together Kyvele and Sheldon raised the boys and shared responsibilities in the business. Sheldon filled the role of father and the boys never thought of him as a stepfather, only as their dad. Kyvele was always helping her tenants any way possible to improve their lives. She worked hard to ensure her sons would have a better life and education.

Kyvele and Sheldon enjoyed snowmobiling with the International Snowmobile Club. She enjoyed her camp with her grandchildren, fishing, boating and swimming. Visitors were always welcome, enjoying cookouts and Greek food. Kyvele donated many hand-knit articles to the church and the needy; and was passionate about gardening (she was a real green thumb) and cooking. Her family, especially her grandchildren, were her life. Kyvele enjoyed traveling, wintering in Jacksonville, Florida, trips to Bermuda and Greece and traveling with friends.

She enjoyed ballroom dancing with private lessons, never missing a Saturday night with friends. Kyvele joined St. George Orthodox Church, in Bangor, in 1951, contributing to services in good standing and was also a faithful attendant of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, of Waterville. For many years she assisted the priest in organizing Orthodox services in Waterville. Kyvele was honored for her work in 2005, receiving the ministry award from the Metropolis of Boston.

Kyvele was predeceased by her parents, George and Sophia Hadidiacos, her brother, Veron and his wife Cleo, her brother Pericles and his wife Artimus, her first husband, Kostas I. Gregory, her second husband of 48 years, Sheldon St. Peter, her brother-in-law, Peter Lee, her Uncle Peter Pericles, her sister-in-law, Elaine Hadidiacos, and nephew-in-law Carl Snow.

Kyvele is survived by her two sons, Kostas C. Gregory and his wife Erna-Sue, of Waterville, and George K. Gregory, of Rhode Island; five grandchildren, Nike Gregory and her partner John Elwell, of Massachusetts, Konstantinos Gregory and his partner Cecilia Avina Lopez, of California, Yorgos Gregory and his wife Erika, of Massachusetts, Burke Gregory, of Massachusetts, Madison Gregory and partner Joy Olson, of California; and two great-granddaughters Emilia and Olivia Gregory, both of Massachusetts; two great-grandsons Konstantinos and Emiliano Gregory, both of California; her sister, Chris Lee, of Winslow; brother Christos Hadidiacos, of Maryland; nieces Betty Lee, of Bangor, Michelle Belski and her husband Gary and son Jordan, of Maryland, Sophia Kavoulas and husband Demetrios, of Greece; and nephews Lewis Lee, of Winslow, Michael Hadidiacos and wife Kristina, of North Carolina, Yorgos Hadidiacos and Demetrios Hadidiacos, of Chicago, and Godchild, Dora Kalfas and husband Christos, of Greece; stepdaughter, Rosemary Drouin; stepsons, Willis and John St. Peter; and several step-grandchildren; many more nieces and nephews in Greece.

Service was at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 60 Eustis Parkway, in Waterville, on Tuesday, December 13..

An online guestbook may be signed, and condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com.

Donations can be made in Kyvele’s memory to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, at 90 Sanford St., Bangor, ME 04401, or to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 60 Eustis Parkway, Waterville, ME 04901.

CLARENCE E. BICKFORD JR.

WATERVILLE – Clarence E. Bickford Jr., 87, of Waterville, passed away on Sunday, December 4, 2022, at Nothern Light Inland Hos­pital, in Water­ville.

Services for will be held at a later date. Please visit http://www.gallantfh.com to read the full obituary.

CHRISTIE H. POWELL

SIDNEY – Christie Hutchinson Powell, 64, passed away Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at a healthcare facility, in Sidney. She was born June 25, 1958, to Armand and Arlene (Judkins) Hutchinson.

She grew up in Belgrade, and graduated from Messalonskee High School, in Oakland, class of 1976. She attended Northeastern University, in Boston, Massachusett, and received her degree from University of Augusta.

Christie spent most of her adult life working in healthcare. Later she worked at LL Bean until health issues caused her to stop working.

Christie enjoyed time spent at the family camp in Weld, Maine; her favorite place to be with family and friends.

Christie was predeceased by her parents, Armand and Arlene (Judkins) Hutchinson.

She is survived by two grandchildren; an aunt, Barbara York, and many cousins and friends.

A graveside service will be held later in the spring at the family plot in Pine Grove Cemetery in Belgrade.

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.

JOSEPH W. HERARD

WATERVILLE – Joseph W. Herard, 86, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at Oak Grove Nursing Home, in Waterville, following a long illness. Joseph was born on February 26, 1936, in Waterville, the son of Wilfred and Emily Herard.

“Will’’ as his school friends called him, graduated from Waterville High School in 1955. Upon graduation, he served in the U.S. Air Force for four years until being honorably discharged in 1960.

Upon returning to Maine, he began working at Scott Paper Co., in Winslow. Years later, Joe moved over to the Hinckley SAPPI plant where he retired. He met and married the love of his life, Lucy LeClair, in February , 1963. Together, Lucy and “Junior” raised four children.

Joseph enjoyed watching all of the New England sports teams, working on projects around his house and watching his family enjoy his swimming pool. He loved spending time with his family, taking family road trips and spoiling his eight grandchildren, Cody, Nicholas, Matthew, Scott, Michael, Jack, Olivia and Ashleigh, along with his great-grandchildren Ronan, Celia and Ellyanna.

Joseph was predeceased by his parents Wilfred and Emily; his siblings, David, Raymond, and Teresa; and his first grandson, Christopher Kenneth Herard.

Joseph, aka “Will” “Joe” and “Junior”, is survived by his wife Lucy; his sons, Kenneth and his wife, Monique, of Coventry, Rhode Island, Carl and his wife, Terri, of Bowdoinham, David and his wife, Nancy, of New Hampshire and Paul and his wife, Cathy, of Waterville; along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., on Thursday, December 15, at Notre Dame Church, in Waterville, with burial services following the funeral at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, Grove St., in Waterville.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Veilleux and Redington Funeral Home, 8 Elm St., Waterville, ME 04901. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at http://www.VeilleuxFuneralHome.com for the Herard family.

KATHLEEN LAI

WATERVILLE – Kathleen “Kathy” “Kat” (Smith) Lai, 73, passed away on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, following a protracted battle with Multiple Sclerosis. She was born on March 5, 1949, in Boston, Massachusetts,

Kathy is survived by her son, Christopher; grandson, Nicholas Dumont and his wife Sara; great-granddaughters Diana and Camille; brother, Ricky Smith and his wife Mary; sisters Peggy Violette and her husband Lucien, and Darlene Chamberlain; nephews Dale, Joshua and Ming; and nieces Tabitha, Heather and Kitty.

Kathy was predeceased by her husband, Sun Lai; mother, Gloria Smith, father, Montague Smith; brother, Robbie Smith; and best friend, Flo Welch.

A graveside service was held at St. Francis Cemetery, on Grove Street, in Waterville, on Wednesday December 14. Family and friends are invited to attend.

A full obituary is online and a guestbook may be signed, and condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation: http://msfocus.org/Home.aspx.

MADOLYN E. HOSEA

OCALA, Florida – Madolyn Enid (Closson) Hosea, 86, of Ocala, passed away on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at Hospice of Marion County. She was born in Vassalboro, on September 15, 1936, the daughter of Wyman and Lillian (Dolley) Closson.

She was the fourth of six children, was blessed early on with the gift of discernment, and delighted many with her talent for cooking, baking and painting. She attended culinary arts courses as a young woman and became a skilled cake decorator.

Madolyn met the love of her life, Mark Tingley Hosea, at Advent Christian Church, in Waterville. Not long after, they married August 6, 1955, when she was 19 years old. Together they had four children, Rhonda, Marcia, Mary and Joel, whom they raised in their North Vassalboro home, the White Haven, that doubled as a boarding house for seniors.

Throughout her 20s and 30s, Madolyn was not only a devoted wife and mother but simultaneously worked as the sole manager, chef and caretaker for the White Haven residents.

When Mark moved the family to Florida in 1975 to serve at Forest Assembly of God Church, in Silver Springs, Madolyn remained the ever-stable and constant cornerstone for her family. Madolyn worked long bakery shifts at the Kash n’ Karry and Publix, and she made their little house in the forest a home in her spare time.

Madolyn was a deeply faithful, practical, observant, honest, dependable, consistent, hard-working and selfless woman. She had a keen, sharp sense of humor that could make a stony-faced person burst out in deep belly laughs when you’d least expect it. She loved deep maroon and grayish blue, red birds and mallard ducks, oil painting and Chinese checkers.

Madolyn was a faithful woman of God. She enjoyed teaching Sunday school in most of the churches they attended. Throughout the final years of their life, Madolyn and Mark remained dedicated and active members of their church. They would have celebrated 67 years of marriage in August.

Madolyn is survived by her children, Rhonda Drusendahl, Marcia Stevens, Mary Box and Joel Hosea, all of Ocala; her sisters Esther Pierce of Jaffrey, New Hampshire, and Sheila Patten-O’Leary of Boston, Massachusetts; six grandchildren, Robert Cray, Rachael Phelps, Jarrod Stevens, Shane Stevens, Jenna Box Sarkissian, and Mason Box; 15 great-grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces.

A service for Madolyn was held Monday, December 12, 2022, at Good Shepherd Memorial Gardens, 5050 SW 20th St., in Ocala, Florida.

LAWRENCE I. FINLEY

WINDSOR – Lawrence I. Finley, 62, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, December 11, 2022.

Larry was a self employed farmer and co-owner of Windsor Vault Company for 40 years. He was a friend to all who knew him. He loved to ride around and visit friends. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle and mostly spending time with his grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents Frank and Joanne Finley; son Travis Finley; and grandson Liam Finley.

He is survived by his significant other Holly Lasselle; son Justin Finley and wife Jessica; brothers Dan Finley (Karen) and John Finley (Julie), sister Sally Gower (Bud); grandchildren, Kaden, Lukas, Lilianna and Leah Finley.

A graveside service was held on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at the Finley Family cemetery, on the Choate Road, in Windsor.

GAIL I. WASHBURN

CLINTON – Gail Iris (Steeves) Washburn, 75, of Clinton, passed away at home following a long illness with Parkinson’s and Dementia. She was born in Waterville on June 20, 1947, to Willard and June Steeves.

She graduated from Clinton High School and then went on to receive a degree in history and English from Bob Jones University, in Greenville, South Carolina. After college she became a teacher and taught in Boothbay Harbor.

She left teaching to take on a few part time jobs including delivering mail for the post office as well as working at McDonald’s. She ended her career by retiring from the post office after many years of service as a full time carrier in Oakland.

Gail was a funny, lively and intelligent person with a love of adventure, whether that was learning a new skill or craft or taking road trips with family for picnics in old forgotten graveyards or to “just get lost”.

She loved reading and studying. She mapped out her family’s genealogy meticulously by visiting graveyards and town halls across the region. She loved riding to Lobster Lane Book Store to see if she could find her favorite authors.

She had a great passion for children and shared her excitement for life with them through books as well as her love of horses. She spent many years working with children and horses at Camp Fairhaven, in Brooks, where she was able to minister to them through counseling and horseback riding. She was an active member of Clinton Baptist Church where over the years she taught many Sunday School classes as well as coached the volleyball team for the Christian School.

Gail’s love for children was evident in the way she doted on her nieces and loved them like they were her own children. She shared her excitement for life with them by sharing her love of books, movies, horses, and late night swimming adventures in the summer. She was sometimes strict and firm, but she also had a very tender and sensitive side.

Gail is survived by her husband of 31 years, Scott Washburn; son, Joshua Washburn and wife Andrea and their children, Aiden and EveLynn, of Yorkville, Illinois; her daughter, Lacey Kilby and her son, Michael Kilby J.,r of Edmunds TWP; her three sisters, Dale “Tootsie” Morin and husband Steve, of Falmouth, Jill Sprague, of Lincolnville, and Anne Lowe and husband Craig, of Unity; four nieces, June “JJ”, Erin, Ina, and Morgan and their families; including many great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was predeceased by her brother, Woody Steeves; father, Willard Steeves; mother, June Kaska; and son-in-law, Michael Kilby Sr.

A celebration of life will be held at the Clinton Baptist Church, on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 11 a.m., with visiting from 10-11 a.m., including a light lunch and gathering following the service.

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 and Cremation Services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Clinton Baptist Church, PO Box 1, Clinton, ME 04927.