OBITUARIES for Thursday, November 23, 2023

ALLEN R. HIGGINS

ALBION – Allen R. Higgins, 89, of Albion, passed away on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. He was born December 9, 1933, the son of Muriel and Roland Higgins.

He grew up on a farm in Albion and raised chickens and daughters in his younger days. When he gave up chickens (but not daughters), he worked at Yeaton’s Sales and Service, in Albion. He eventually moved on and retired from the railroad after 30 years where he was known as The Jolly Green Giant (but mostly as Jolly).

He loved gardening, hunting, fishing, tinkering, traveling and people in general. His deep laughter was always present. His sense of humor was legendary to the end. Allen was well loved by all he touched.

He was predeceased by his wife Mary, brother and sister-in-law Milton and Patricia Higgins, parents Muriel and Roland Higgins.

He is survived by daughters Kathy Tobey, Elizabeth Grant, Deborah Ames; grandchildren Jennifer Verville and family, Matthew Moen and family, Shilo Coleman and family, Jeff Rogers and family, Amy Rhoda and family; great-grandchildren Joseph, Cooper, Sophia, Sean, Elliott; nieces, nephew; and many extended cousins and family.

A Celebration of life will be at the Besse Building, in Albion, Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 1 – 3 p.m.

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, donations can be made to Albion Public Library or Albion Historical Society.

BEVERLY J. DIXON

NORRIDGEWOCK – Beverly J. (Fish) Dixon, 80, passed away on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at Redington-Fairview General Hospital, in Skowhegan. Beverly was born in Waterville on August 22, 1943. She was raised in Albion where she met and married the love of her life Alphonso Dixon.

Beverly was a very hard worker, devoted mother, and as many of you know, she was always in charge. For many years Beverly and her husband owned and operated Estes Market,in Madison, worked for Solon Manufacturing, and completed her working career at Fonzo’s, in Norridgewock, as “the boss” before she finally retired. She loved playing cribbage and many other card games as well as her computer games.

She was predeceased by her husband of 60 Years Alphonso (Buster) Dixon Sr., her son James R. Dixon, her daughter Karen J. Reay, and grandson Joshua Reay.

Beverly is survived by her sons Aaron Dixon with wife Shannon, of Waterville, and Alphonso Dixon Jr. with fiancée Zelma, of Norridgewock; grandchildren, Melissa, Aaron II, Valerie, Zachariah, Sadie, Jay, Troy, AJ, Savannah, and Shawna; as well as many great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at the Best Western Plus, in Waterville, on Sunday, December 10, 2023, from 1 – 4 p.m.

Please visit Beverly’s memorial page at https://dsfuneral.com/obituaries/beverly-dixon-2023 to share condolences, photos, and special memories.

JAMES E. KNIGHT II

PALERMO – James E. Knight, II, 69, of Palermo, passed away peacefully at the Gray Birch Long Term Care facility, in Augusta, on Monday, November 13, 2023.

Jim grew up in Bath and went to the local schools, graduating from Morse High School in 1972.

He worked in the printing industry, before computers, working his way up from printing assistant to his most recent position with The University of Maine at Augusta as a senior graphic designer. He also taught several semesters of graphic design at UMA which he really enjoyed.

Jim took some college classes but was mostly self-taught, being an artist and having a great eye for all design types.

He also enjoyed music, playing several instruments himself and listening to many hours of music discs and vinyl records. He made music discs for friends as well as background sound for several videos that people produced.

He loved spending time at home with his six cats whether sitting watching them play or playing with them. He enjoyed taking drives up roads he hadn’t been on to find out where they went to and going to his mother-in-law’s camp on Prince Edward Island when he could.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, James E. Knight and Ethel P. Knight of Richmond, Maine.

Jim is survived by his wife, Lori; his sister Lynne and her husband Jim of Palatka, Florida; brothers Jonathan and his wife Susannah, of Orr’s Island, and Jason and his wife Pat, of Bingham; several nephews and a niece.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family at http://www.stetsonsfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local animal shelter.

LILLIAN G. QUIMBY

WINSLOW – Lillian Grace Quimby, 91, passed away on Sunday, November 12, 2023. Lillian was born to Maurice and Grace Prentiss on June 4, 1932.

She was the ninth of their 10 children. She graduated from Winslow High School, class of 1950.

She married Erving “Duke” Quimby Jr. on February 14 1951. In 1959 they moved into their home on the Abbott Road, in Winslow, where they raised their nine children. It was her desire to remain on the farm until God called her home. Mission accomplished!

She did not have much during her life; her family was her life. She provided for her family by growing large gardens, picking potatoes, cleaning out hen houses, picking berries and fruits, cooking and canning to get through the winters. In addition to raising nine children, she worked alongside her husband in the woods and in the barn. She was a demonstrator of Friendly Home Toys, hosting parties for years to make ends meet. She worked for Murdoch’s Chicken Farm, in Unity, packing eggs. Later, she worked ten years as a final inspector at the C. F. Hathaway Shirt Company, in Waterville. She retired, at the age of 77, from her last job as a personal support specialist with Home Care for Maine.

She was a faithful member of the Church of the Nazarene, in Fairfield, where she was a Sunday school teacher for 22 years. In addition to her own children, she transported many kids to church. At times making two trips, to be sure any kid who wanted to go to church, got there. She had many friends in the church throughout the years and many pastors, including John Evans Sr. His son, John Evans Jr., will be officiating her funeral service.

She was predeceased by all nine of her siblings and her husband of 61 years who died on June 29, 2012.

She leaves behind all nine of her children Kay Penney, of Winslow, David (Debbie) Quimby, of Troy, Erving Quimby III, of Clinton, Linda Ramsdell, of St. Albans, Wanda (James Dufour) McDonald, of Jay, Debra (Gene) Thomas, of Baldwin, Dawn Lorom, of Winslow, Tammy (Shawn Casey) Morneau, of Clinton, and Robin (David) Folsom, of Winslow; 30 grandchildren; 89 great-grandchildren; and 46 great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

Near and dear to her heart are Skip Prentiss and John Bickford who stopped by often, an amazing friend Linda Anderson, her sister-in-law Shirley Tibbetts and her niece Sally Pooler who called daily to check on how she was doing.

A service will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday November 25, at the Church of the Nazarene, on Main Street, in Fairfield, to celebrate her life. She, along with her husband will be laid to rest at the McClintock Cemetery, on the Nowell Road, in Winslow, where honorary family member Duchess (their last dog) will keep watch.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in her name to the Fairfield Church of the Nazarene, 81 Main Street, PO Box 146, Fairfield ME 04937.

VELORUS GILMAN

WINDSOR – Velorus Gilman, 70, of Windsor, died on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, following a year of declining health. He was born August 15, 1953.

Sonny attended schools in Readfield and Winthrop as a child and was a self-employed farmer and woodcutter throughout his adult life. He enjoyed a simple and quiet life raising his children alongside his wife. They also raised golden retrievers and golden doodles together.

Sonny’s hobbies included reading the Uncle Henry’s weekly, watching all the old western TV shows, all things related to old trucks and tractors. He will be remembered for his great smile and for how his eyes lit up when around his family.

Sonny is survived by his wife of 50 years, Becky; his daughter, Jessica Fike and husband Brandon; his son, Joshua Gilman and wife Samantha; his three grandchildren, Samantha, Spencer, and Allyson; his mother, Kay Gilman; and sisters Norma Gilman, Josie Gilman, and Barbara Rich and their respective families; and a large extended family.

He was predeceased by his father Pete Gilman.

At Sonny’s request, a private burial and celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 983 Ridge Rd., Windsor, ME 04363. Condolences, stories or photos may be shared by visiting http://www.plummerfh.com.

MILLARD E. NICKERSON III

WINDSOR – Millard E. “Nicky” Nickerson III, 74, died unexpectedly Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at his hunting camp, in Waldo. He was born in Portland on June 15, 1949, a son of the late Millard E. Nickerson, Jr. and Claire E. (Strout) Nickerson.

Mr. Nickerson was a graduate of Hall-Dale High School, in Farmingdale, and earned his associate degree in business from University of Maine in Augusta.

He was an entrepreneur, having owned and operated many businesses throughout the years including: Nickerson Construction & Foundations, Building Movers, and Nickerson Transport.

Mr. Nickerson was a veteran who served two tours in the Vietnam War in the United States Army. He had many life-long friendships originating from his time in the service, including his dear friend, “Doc”. He was a member of Bethlehem Masonic Lodge and the American Legion, Post #2, in Augusta.

He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Linda L. (Beane) Nickerson, and a brother, Michael E. Nickerson.

Mr. Nickerson is survived by a son, Richard A. Nickerson and his wife Gretchen, of Augusta; two daughters: Lori N. Tungseth and her husband Nathan, of Katy, Texas, and Lisa N. Taylor and her husband John, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; a brother, Mark E. Nickerson and his partner Debra Violette, of Unity; nine grandchildren, Austin, Owen, Myla, Knox, Addison, Emily, Zachary, Abby and Brooke; two great-grandchildren, Mary Frances and Chip; as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Relatives and friends may visit on Tuesday, November 21, from 10 a.m. – noon, at Plummer Funeral Home, Windsor Chapel, 983 Ridge Rd., Rt. 32, Windsor. Burial will be at a later date in the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

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

The family requests that donations in Nicky’s memory be made to Travis Mills Foundation, 647 Castle Island Rd., Mt. Vernon, ME, 04352.

GILBERT J. MASON SR.

WEEKS MILLS – Gilbert James Mason Sr., 87, died on Friday, October 27, 2023, in Silver Springs, Florida. He was born son of Harvey Mason, Sr. and Harriet Ketchum Mason, in Gardiner.

Gilbert was a longtime resident of Weeks Mills,and was a Maine National Guard in the early ‘60s. He was a truck driver for Lipman Poultry, in Augusta, and then he went to Oyes Steel Company, in Augusta, where he worked for nearly 40 years helping build the company from the ground up.

He was very proud of his Native American heritage. He was a member of the Penobscot Nation of Old Town. He was an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing and golf. Moose hunting was one of his favorite things to do at his camp on Tribal Land, Alder Stream.

Gilbert was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Elizabeth A. Mason (Baker), in 2018, his brothers Brian, Dewayne and Howard, his sisters Phyllis, Beulah, Joan, Rose, and Doris.

Gilbert is survived by sons, Gilbert James Mason Jr., of Arkansas, James Anthony Mason and partner Deidra Hoague, of Weeks Mills, and Jay Darren Mason and wife Kyong Mason, of North Carolina; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one brother Harvey Mason Jr., of Silver Springs, Florida; sisters, Brenda Bonsant, of Windsor, and Nancy Godbout, of Farmingdale;

A celebration of life will be held in the spring of 2024.