Obituaries for Thursday, October 24, 2019

JONN M. RAYMOND

WATERVILLE – Jonn M. Raymond, 32, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 5, 2019. Jonn was a retired Army veteran with two tours in Iraq, including Opertion Iraqui Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He served as a Blackhawk UH-60 and 4H-60 L mechanic, crew chief, door gunner and standardization flight instructor, earning the rank or sergeant.

He received multiple awards, including the Army Commendation Medal and the Air Medal for actions during numerous aerial flights during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Jonn was predeceased by his grandparents Romeo and Rose Raymond, Thurman and Leona Berry, and his brother Mark.

He is survived by his parents Ronald and Bertha Raymond; his daughters, Alexandria, 11, and Emmaley, 7; brothers Ronald Jr. and Steven; sisters Beth Ferry and husband John, Lynn Cromley and husband Stephen, Wendy Raymond, Brandy Raymond, Rose Raymond, Desiree Raymond, Denise Whiteman and Kimberlyn Whiteman; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

RICHARD A. RANCOURT

OAKLAND – Richard Alfred Rancourt, 89 of Oakland, passed away, following a long illness, on Wednesday, October 9, 2019. He was born in Waterville on January 28, 1930, the son of Norbert A. and Marie Belle (Bolduc) Rancourt.

In May 1947, he married the former Patricia Roderick, of Waterville, spending the next 72 years together. Richard was an accomplished building contractor and woodworker and built and remodeled many homes in Waterville and surrounding towns. He crafted many pieces of furniture, including a beautiful hutch for his daughter.

Richard was an avid outdoorsman. He and Pat spent countless hours fishing Moosehead Lake, Wilson Pond and ponds in the Allagash. In the winter, they rode their snowmobiles over hundreds of miles of trails, enjoying the company of good friends. In his spare time, Richard loved to make jigsaw puzzles; some he framed and hang on the walls of his home today. He was also a long-suffering, die-hard Red Sox fan.

Richard was predeceased by his parents, Norbert A. and Marie Belle Rancourt; sisters, Justine Fisher, Jeannette Harding, Dorothy Fisher, Gloria Floyd; brothers, Francis, Wilbur, John and Frederick Rancourt; and step-mother, Grace Ames Rancourt.

He is survived by his wife Patricia Rancourt, of Oakland; daughter Barbara Radziewicz and husband Richard, of Winslow; grandson Richard Oliver and wife Tracey, of New Jersey; granddaughter Rebecca Veinote and companion Rick, of Florida; great-grandchildren, Amanda Burbee, of Virginia, Justin Burbee and wife Danielle, of Orono, Brian and Mathew Oliver, of Pennsylvania; sister Madeline Pooler, of Oakland; brothers, Raymond Rancourt and companion Evelyn, of Fairfield, and Eugene Rancourt, of Fairfield; and many nieces and nephews.

At Richards request there will be no visitation hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at Sacred Heart Church, 70 Pleasant Street, Waterville, ME.

A committal service will follow at St. Francis Cemetery, Grove Street, Waterville.

In lieu of flowers, friends and family may make donations in Richard’s memory to the American Lung Association, 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601, or a charity of their choice.

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

MAXWELL MARRINER

WATERVILLE – Maxwell “Mickey” Marriner, passed away Thursday, October 10, 2019, at Northern Light Inland Hospital, in Waterville. He was born August 28, 1946, in Richmond, the son of Maxwell and Evelyn Marriner.

He is survived by his wife, Julie (Littlefield) Marriner; daughters, Lisa Debock and husband Dennis, Rebecca Marriner, Diane Olson, Tricia White, Tiffany Higgins, Tasha Burnham and husband Paul; grandchildren Salvatore, Kimberly, Ziane, Mattison, Isabella, Stella, Aaliyah, Allie, Mackenzie, Colby, Braedyn and Arayana; great granddaughter, Madelyn.

He was predeceased by his parents; brother, Douglas; sister, Donna; and his only son, Matthew.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.

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

RICHARD PIERCE

OAKLAND – Richard “Dick” Pierce, 89, passed away at home on Sunday, October 13, 2019. Richard was born in Vaughnville on May 14, 1930, the son of John Hobart and Katherine (McGrath) Pierce.

He lived his early life in Lewiston and Waterville. In 1943, his parents bought the brick farmhouse on Rice Rips Road, in Oakland. Richard was educated in the Oakland schools, graduating from Williams High School, in Oakland, in 1948. In high school, he played basketball all four years, and was a tight end on Williams’s first football team in the fall of 1947. Following high school, Dick attended the University of Maine for two years. On December 24, 1950, he married his high school sweetheart, literally the girl next door, Carolyn Smith. Dick and Carolyn had three children – Richard, Laurie, and Daniel.

Dick worked for Lipman Poultry Company, in Augusta, starting as a farm supervisor and working his way up to become the broiler production manager for the company. When Lipman Poultry went out of business in 1982, Dick purchased a rubbish hauling business which he ran for 10 years. That brought him in contact with the Oakland Transfer Station, where he worked part-time, primarily in recycling, until he retired at age 87.

Richard was always interested in farming as a hobby. When the kids were at home, he kept a small flock of Hampshire sheep, which all started with an abandoned lamb he brought home from one of his poultry growers. He also always had a big vegetable garden where he spent many hours every spring and summer.

Dick was active in town affairs, serving on both the Oakland Town Council and the Oakland Planning Board. His other big interest was the Lions Club. He joined the Oakland Lions Club in 1962, and was active for decades until his health prevented him from attending meetings. He always said his priorities were his family, his job, and the Lions Club, in that order.

When his children were young, he was very involved in youth activities in town. He served as a scoutmaster for the Oakland Boy Scout troop. While involved in Boy Scouts, he was honored with selection to the Order of the Arrow. In addition, Dick coached Little League baseball and basketball.

He was also an avid deer hunter, proudly wearing a “Biggest Bucks in Maine” patch on his coat. Going to hunting camp in St. Albans was a highlight of his year.

Dick enjoyed watching the Red Sox and Patriots. His idol was always Ted Williams. It was fortunate that he was able to watch two Patriots games his last week.

Dick enjoyed being around people. His intelligence, wit, and character caused him to have many good friends throughout his life.

Richard was predeceased by his parents, Hobart and Katherine; his sister, Diane; his brother, John Hobart, Jr.; and his son-in-law, Paul Thomas.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Carolyn; his children, Richard Pierce and wife Sherry, of Oakland; Laurie Thomas, of Oakland; and Daniel Pierce and wife Roxanne, of Scarborough; six grandchildren, Derek Stevens (who he called his third son) and wife Tonya, of Las Vegas, Nevada; Jennie Charleston and husband Russell, of Vassalboro; Nathan Pierce and wife Jody, of Hallowell; Benjamin Pierce and wife Julia, of Camden; Sarah Bureau and husband Edmond, of Cape Elizabeth; and Daniel Pierce and wife Maria, of Benton; 14 great-grandchildren; his sister, Janet Coughlin Buzzell, of Waterville; brother Thomas Pierce and his wife Jenny, of Fernandina Beach, Florida; and his sister Judith Balbo, of Waterville.

It was Richard’s wish that there be no visiting hours or funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Dick’s memory to the Oakland Lions Club or Oakland Fire Department.

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

RAYMOND J. BENSON JR.

FAIRFIELD – Raymond “Benny” J. Benson Jr., 76, passed away on Monday, October 14, 2019, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut, on October 5, 1943, the son of the late Raymond J. Benson Sr. and Grace (Applegate) Benson.

He attended Wilbur Cross High School, in New Haven, Connecticut. From there, he joined the Air Force which brought him to Bangor. This is where he met the love of his life, Donna Marie Lee. They were married in Waterville and had two daughters. He was a cook for many years at various locations. He greatly enjoyed his time as a cook at Natanis Golf Course, in Vassalboro. During his time there, he could always be found on the golf course. He was an excellent golfer with many accomplishments, including five holes in one on golf courses in both Maine and Florida.

He retired back to Maine after some years in Florida. Once back, he enjoyed spending quality time with his children and grandchildren.

Benny is survived by his daughters, Candy LaChance and husband Glenn, and Sandra Wentworth and husband, Kevin, all of Fairfield; grandchildren, Natashia LaChance and fiancé Nick Rice, of China, Brittany McDaniel, of Fairfield, Erickia Gallup and husband A.J., of Fairfield, and Derek LaChance and girlfriend Jessica Vaillancourt, of Norridgewock; great grandchildren, Braxton, Bellamy and Noah; sister, Ellen Guddee; sister-in-law, Sandra Gordon, of Waterville, and her children Bryan, Kim and Scott; brothers-in-law, Sherwood Lee and Donna, of Fairfield, and Barry Lee and wife Jane, of Fairfield; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; brothers Jack and William Benson; and his wife of 30 wonderful years, Donna Benson.

In lieu of flowers, donations by be made in Raymond’s memory to the American Diabetes Association, 10 Speen Street, 2nd Floor, Framingham, MA 01701.

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

GARY S. HATHAWAY SR.

SCARBOROUGH – Gary S. Hathaway, 66, passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2019, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, in Scarborough. Gary was born August 1, 1953, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, to Lewis and Anna Hathaway.

He was the youngest of four brothers. Growing up on Sengekontacket Pond, he quickly learned to appreciate the water and family run shellfish business. Chances are he was shucking scallops before he could ride a bike!

Gary graduated from M.V.R.H.S. in 1971. Shortly thereafter he joined the US Navy as a submariner aboard the U.S.S. Cavalla. He told many stories of his time in the service, his time on the sub, and his worldly travels.

Known by many as “HAT,” Gary was a man of many talents and a Jack of all trades. Though he tried his hand at many things, the sea was his home; what he loved.

After living most of his life on the Vineyard, Gary spent the last 18 years living in the Unity and Albion area of Maine, trading the sea for the mountains and a less hectic lifestyle.

Though Gary had dealt with numerous health issues over the years, he never tired of telling jokes or stories, with a smile to anyone willing to listen and continued smiling right up to the end.

He is survived by his children, LuAnna, of Townsend, Massachusetts, Gary Jr., Brian and Kevin, all currently living on Martha’s Vineyard; his grandsons, Desmond and Silas Pinkham, both now living in South Carolina; and great-grandson Kaiden Blaine Pinkham. Gary is also survived by many nieces and a nephew.

Gary was predeceased by his sons Timothy J. and Joshua N. Hathaway, and his three older brothers.

There will be a small family celebration of life in the future.

Donations in Gary’s name can be made to the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, in Scarborough, the Veterans Administration or a charity of your choice.