OBITUARIES for Thursday, October 17, 2024

LOUIS J. CAREY

WATERVILLE – Louis J. Carey, 57, of Waterville, passed away on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, in his sleep. He was born at Regional Memorial Hospital, the second of five children, to Daniel Bruce Carey and Mary Lou (Reny) Pascoe on January 9, 1967.

Louis loved music and art, cheap thrills, had excellent penmanship and a poetic soul. He enjoyed the outdoors, and trips to the lake or beach. He kept small circles but would pour into the cups of those close freely and endlessly, never checking his own. Louis spoke his mind and was stubborn but reasonable. He was a very thoughtful, curious person – but never nosey, and he loved to learn new things. He started weekends with a coffee and newspaper and was great at word puzzles.

Louis had excellent coordination and inherited great speed and stamina, a strong athlete in every sense of the word. A runner, like his father before him; most of his colleagues recall how fast he worked, setting records and maxing out many kinds of machines over the years. He especially enjoyed billiards, candlepin bowling, disc golf, and softball. He was a fearless competitor, and an encouraging teammate. He was silent when you needed an earnest ear, and the loudest clap and holler in the room at your concert or recital. Louis had the sharpest funny bone, and he delighted in a good laugh.

Louis was predeceased by his parents Daniel Carey and Mary (Reny) Pascoe; and his sister Eva (Carey) Todd.

He is survived by his wife of four years Lynn (Giles) Carey and her daughter Renā Giles; his son Louis J. Carey II; godmother Margaret (Carey) Soucy and husband Lester, of Waterville; uncle Paul Carey and wife Patty, of Ellsworth; aunts Deb Carey, of Readfield, and Shirley Jolicoeur, of Winslow; sister Michelle (Carey) Alejandro and husband Omar, of Merritt Island, Florida; brother Daniel Carey Jr., of Waterville; sister Tammy Carey, of Waterville; stepdaughter Jaylin Marcoux and her partner Brandon, of Belgrade; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at the Waterville Elks Lodge #905, 76 Industrial St., Waterville, on Sunday October 27, 2024,between noon and 4 p.m.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Somerset Valley Remembrance Center, in Skowhegan. Please visit Louis’ memorial page at https://svremembrancecenter.com/obituaries/louis-carey where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting youth sports by donating in his memory at https://alfondyouthcenterivsrq.formstack.com/forms/donations1.

BRENDA J. STEVENS

BELGRADE – Brenda J. (Wadleigh) Stevens, 72, passed away at Maine­General Medical Center, in Augusta, on Friday, October 4, 2024. Brenda was born August 18, 1952, in Augusta, the daughter of Everett and Muriel (Hutchinson) Wadleigh.

She grew up in Belgrade and graduated from Messalonskee High School in 1969.

Shortly after graduating she met her best friend and love of her life, David. They married October 7, 1972, and soon after had their daughter, Tonia. Their life was spent enjoying time with family and friends.

In 1992, Brenda and David welcomed their granddaughter, Jordan.

Brenda worked for the State of Maine for over 25 years, retired, and went on to work for Colby College, in Waterville. After a few years she retired from Colby and spent the rest of her working years at Messalonskee High School, in Oakland. While at MHS she made many great friends and the students adored her.

Brenda was vibrant, full of life and always had a smile on her face. As a child, she and her two friends, Jayne Deneen and Debbie Thing, were accomplished baton twirlers and participated in several parades. Her true passion was dance, which she started as a young girl and continued until her body wouldn’t allow it anymore. She and her lifelong friend, Jayne, had a dance studio together for a period of time and she then went on to own her own studio for several years. When the time was right, she retired her studio and went to dance at Studio One with her brother-in-law, Scott.

In January of 2022 Brenda was blessed with her great-grandson, Theodore David James. She spent countless hours with him and went everywhere he did. Teddy will forever love and miss his “Ma” and carry on her vibrant spirit and beautiful smile.

Brenda was predeceased by her parents, Everett and Muriel; her brother, Barry and her sister, Betty; her husband, David; and a brother-in-law, Stevie. Both Brenda and David came from large families and there are a multitude of other family members and friends that they lost over the years.

She is survived by her daughter, Tonia and husband Tony; granddaughter Jordan and partner Eric; great-grandson, Theodore and another grandson coming in November; granddaughters Jenna (Chad), Chrissy (Craig); great-grandchildren, Kayden and Bella; her brothers, and Bryce and wife Pam, Bryan and wife Donna; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Judy, Pam, Donna (Steve) Barbara (Rick) Randy (Diana) Jeff (Lisa) Barry, Scott (Michael), Ann Marie and Debbie; several nieces, nephews; great-nieces and nephews.

A service will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., in Augusta, at 1 p.m. A graveside sendoff directly after, for those that would like to attend, and then a celebration of life at the Sunset Grill, in Belgrade Lakes.

Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home and Cremation Care, One Church Street, Augusta.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home website, http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Brenda’s memory to Belgrade Fire and Rescue Association, P.O. Box 404, Belgrade, ME 04917.

LAURA GABRIEL

AUGUSTA – Laura Gabriel, 68, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 4, 2024, following a brief illness. She was born on April 11, 1956, in Mineola, New York, the youngest of three daughters, of the late Harold Gabriel and Betty (Ramirez) Gabriel.

Laura was a graduate of the University of Maine and earned her master’s degree in education. She was a fourth grade teacher at Jefferson Village School for many years and finished her career as an educator at Troy School where she was principal.

Upon retirement, Laura’s love and energy always remained constant with her family and the many friends she had in the community. She enjoyed spending time with her family more than anything, rarely missing a ball game or event that involved her children or grandson. She extended this warmth to the many friends she had far and wide and all the kids she had in her classroom during her career as a teacher. Her presence will be missed beyond measure, but her kind spirit will endure in all that loved her dearly.

Laura is survived by her sons, Brandon Wing and his partner Vanessa O’Neil and their son Braxton Braley, of Augusta, and Justin Wing and his partner Brianne Genschel, of Augusta; and her daughter Melissa Mann, also of Augusta; two sisters, Docthina “Dina” Gabriel, of Brooklyn, New York, and Sophia Gabriel, of Harpswell; and a grandson Arlo Wing, of Augusta, and lastly, her partner Mike Maxim, of Augusta; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

At her request, there will be no public visiting hours or funeral service. A private burial will be held at a later date.

A celebration of life will be held at the Governor Hill Mansion, State St., Augusta, Maine, on Saturday, November 2, 2024, between 3 and 7 p.m..

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant Street, Augusta, Maine.

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

JOHN G. MAYO

CHINA – John Gibson Mayo, 87, passed away Sunday, October 6, 2024, at his home in China. John was born on February 23, 1937, a son of Ogilvie and Eleanor (Napolitano) Mayo.

John grew up in Windsor and was a graduate of Erskine Academy, in South China, in the class of 1954. While still in school, he enlisted in the National Guard and served for nine years. On October 5, 1957, he married Judith Gordon and the two settled in China and raised a family. For 47 years, John was employed as a millwright at Hudson Pulp and Paper, (later known as Statler Tissue), in Augusta, before his retirement in 2001.

John was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and ice fishing, snowmobiling and golfing. He was an avid reader, particularly of western novels, and loved gardening on his property. John was also a master woodworker and crafted many beautiful furniture pieces for his family. In retirement, many winters were enjoyed in Yuma, Arizona, his wife Judy.

He was a member of the Dirigo Masonic Lodge #104 AF & AM.

John will be remembered as a kind hearted and respected man.

He was predeceased by his parents, and his brothers, George and Vincent Mayo.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Judy Mayo; his children, Monte Mayo and his partner Karin Sullivan, Mia-Jo Nguyen and her husband Ninh, and Mira-Su Thurston and her husband Michael; grandchildren, Samantha Hayes, Alexander Thompson, and Koriana Thompson; great-grandchildren, Anastasia Thompson and Aubriella Thompson.

No services are being held at this time.

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

In lieu of flowers, memorial. donation may be made to Weeks Mills Fire Department, 778 DirigoRd., China, ME 04358.

DONALD C. L. MAHEU

WINSLOW – Donald C. L. Maheu, 89, of Winslow, died Sunday, October 6, 2024, at Lakewood Continuing Care, in Waterville. He was born April 27, 1935, in Winslow, the son of Archeles and Mary Jane (LaFlamme) Maheu.

Donald attended Waterville public schools and married Marilyn Thompson, in 1954.

He worked at Hollingsworth & Whitney, (later Scott Paper Co. and Kimberly-Clark) and Waterville Window Company, both in Winslow, and founding Winslow Aluminum Inc., with his brother. Donald was the president.

Donald coached Little League, Babe Ruth Baseball, and youth football. He was an avid sportsman who loved the Boston Celtics, Red Sox, Patriots, and the Bruins. He also loved attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sports games, traveling to both home and away games. Donald was known to enjoy fishing, hunting, and bowling.

He was predeceased by his wife of 54 years; brothers, George, Adolph, George, Napolean, Robert Maheu, and Pete Boutin; sisters, Pearl Ahearn, Florence Pooler, Violet Fecteau, Geraldine Flibbert, and Rose Roy.

He is survived by his daughter Paula Caron, of Waterville; son Marc Maheu and wife Denise, of Fairfield; sister-in-law Nancy Maheu; grandchildren, Jennifer Caron and partner Brian Kelly, Jason Caron and partner Ashley Brooks, and Jack Maheu; great-grandchildren, Gabrielle, Isabelle, and Annabelle Lamoreau; and several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 2, 11 a.m., at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 116 Silver 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, donations may be made in Donald’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or at Online Donations – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).

DR. RODNEY M. REDDING

CLINTON – Dr. Rodney Malcolm Redding, 91, Professor Emeritus of UMA, died peacefully in his home early Sunday morning, October 6, 2024. Born in 1933, Rod was a Korean War Veteran. He was selected for the Honor Flight in 2023 and he proudly went to Washington, D.C., with his best friend and guardian, Bill Lowenstein.

Having dedicated his life to education, he is remembered by many administrators and psychology students from around Maine. He was instrumental in getting Thomas College, in Waterville, and Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC), in Fairfield, accredited, which are legacies to this day. In the late 1970s and early 1980s he was president of National Council on Alcoholism-Maine and along with his surviving wife Judy, was a primary contributor to the legislation that set precedent to funding programs for alcohol and drug treatment, prevention, and education throughout the state. He died a grateful recovering alcoholic with 45 years of sobriety and was a respected and honored member of the recovery community.

Rod was known for his love of Maine, nature, and fishing, and invited everyone (literally everyone) fishing with him and always said, “I know a place where I can guarantee you’ll catch a fish.”

He will be deeply missed by his wife, blended family of five daughters and two sons, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. They will carry on his sense of humor, love of nature, mineral collecting … and of course, fishing.

Please visit Rod’s memorial page at https://svremembrancecenter.com/obituaries/rodney-redding where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.

Donations may be made in his honor to Donations (honorflightmaine.org) or Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs: Instructor Certifications: Educational Programs: Programs & Resources: Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.