Obituaries, Week of January 18, 2018

JUDITH WILDE

OAKLAND – Judith Wilde, 75, passed away on Friday, December 22, 2017, following a hard battle with leukemia. She was born April 1, 1942, and lived in Oakland.

Judy attended the Tapley School, in Oakland, and completed three years of Williams High, in Oakland. She later achieved her GED.

Judy’s career included driving buses, and working in real estate. Judy also worked as an assistant dental hygienist.

Judy loved to draw, to puzzles and she was a wonderful cook. Judy loved gardening, especially her greenhouse in Mercer. She enjoyed visits and almost daily walks with several neighbors. She enjoyed riding her scooter to the pond in Oakland and spending time with friends and family.

In no particular order, she is survived by sisters Anne Norman and Virginia Adams, both of Waterville and Oakland; nephews and nieces Leigh Stevens, Coleen Gooldrup, Jennifer Walker, Benjamin Norman, Danny, Wesley, and Kelly Adams, all of Central Maine; grandchildren and a great-grandchild, Eva and Rea Rodrigue, of Gorham, Tobias Baker, Aurora, Emma and Cornelia Wilde, of Moss, Norway; cousins Donna Radcliff, of Florida, Martha Carole, in Brewer, Bobby Byerly, of San Diego, California, Patty Wilde, of Norridgewock, Richard and Dennis Wilde, and Julie Wilde Howard, of Mercer, Grace Smith, Brenda Jagoe, Gladys Buraglia, Joyce Neuberg and Bette Wiseman, all of New Brunswick, Canada, and Don Graham, of Ontario, Canada; former husband Robert Annis, of Rockland; children Sarah Rodrigue, of Gorham, James Baker, of Belgrade and Michael Baker, of Moss, Norway.

All friends and family are invited to join in the celebration of her life on Sunday, January 28 at the Oakland American Legion, from noon to 4 p.m. Bring your stories about Judy and a potluck meal to share.

IRVING E. WRIGHT

OAKLAND – Irving E. Wright, 91, passed away on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at his home following a long illness. He was born January 24, 1926, the son of Warren “Gus” Wright and Lillian Wheeler Wright.

He attended Boylston High School, in Boylston, Massachusetts. He married the former Joyce Bickford, in Westboro, Massachusetts, in 1953.

Irving lived a life of hard work, starting as a boy on the family farm and making a living as a carpenter and owner of his own business. Irving and Joyce lived in North Grafton, Massachusetts, for 15 years before moving to Augusta in 1969.

He was a Mason and Shriner in both states and worked tirelessly for that cause. He loved their cottage on Great Pond, in Belgrade Lakes, and his winter home in Florida, where he could go boating and fishing anytime he wanted. He often said his cottage was the prettiest spot on the lake.

His love for cribbage was unbelievable as he would play for hours at a a time.

Irving is survived by his wife Joyce, of 65 years; son, Barry Wright and his partner Sherry Stevens, of Livermore Falls; one granddaughter, Jessica Mullen and husband Brian; three great-grandsons.

He was predeceased by his son, Bruce Wright; parents Gus and Lillian; and six brothers.

An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.lawrybrothers.com.

Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb Rd., Waterville, ME 04901, or UNA Home Health Hospice, 50 Foden Rd., South Portland, ME 04106.

RODNEY A. McALEER

BENTON – Rodney Allen McAleer, 63, formerly of Benton, passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2018, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta, following a long illness. He was born in Waterville on May 2, 1954, the son of the late Robert A. and Christine B. (Bugold) McAleer.

He was a hockey player, and graduate of Waterville High School. Rodney was an avid sports fan who enjoyed all sports. He also loved fishing, no matter what time of year.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Dawn (Gurney) McAleer, who passed away on August 15, 2014.

Rodney will be missed by his sisters, Bobbi Sagendorf, of Amesbury, Massachusetts, and Randie Ennis, and husband Phillip, of Goldsboro, North Carolina; stepson Justin Leibowitz, of Waterville; stepdaughter Lisa Coleman, of North Carolina; grandchildren Leticia Messier, of Vermont, Alecia Rexford and Savannah Coleman, both of New Hampshire; great-grandson Killian Ronin Messier; and nephews Andrew Cronin and his wife Marianne, of Natick, Massachusetts, and Brian Cronin and family, of Andover, Massachusetts.

An online guest book may be signed and memories shared at www.lawrybrothers.com.

DANIEL J. LAJOIE

BENTON – Daniel J. Lajoie, 71, passed away on Saturday, January 6, 2018, at the Alfond Center for Health, in Augusta, following a brief illness. He was born in Augusta on August 27, 1946, the son of Raymond J. Lajoie and Elizabeth M. (Rousel) Lajoie.

Daniel graduated from Cony High School, in Augusta. He served honorably in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War. Prior to his retirement, he was employed by Digital Equipment Corp., as an engineering tech for 28 years.

Daniel was predeceased by his parents; his wife Donna (Atkinson) Lajoie; son Christopher E. Lajoie.

Surviving are a son, Daniel J. Lajoie Jr.; two brothers Donovan G. Lajoie, of Acton, and Mark A. Lajoie, of Bedford, New Hampshire; a sister Sylvia A. Lajoie, of Portland, and Carole Boudreau and June Powell; several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were under the direction of Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, ME. Condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.plummerfh.com.

BARBARA M. GREENLAW

FAIRFIELD – Barbara M. Greenlaw, 91, passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. She was born on July 25, 1926, to Hugh Allen and Lia Belle (Trimm) Fox Sr., in Blanchard.

Barbara graduated from Guilford High School in 1944. Following high school, she worked in the weave room at the American Woolen Company, in Dover-Foxcroft.

Barbara soon decided to seek employment at the Sisters of Charity Hospital, in Waterville, where she began her nursing studies at the Seton Institute School of Nursing, in Waterville. Her continued educational training took her to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, in Boston, Massachusetts, and masters graduate wortk in psychiatrics at the Seton Institute School of Nursing, in Baltimore, Maryland. Following World War II, Barbara worked at military hospitals in Charleston, South Carolina, Jacksonville, Florida and Key West, Florida.

She returned to Maine and continued her career in nusring at the Sisters Hospital, in Waterville. There she met Dr. William Greenlaw and they married in 1955. They shared 23 years together, raising their family.

Barbara maintained her nusring license as a registered nurse until 2002.

She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Fireside Chapter #103, and volunteered her time as an educator for Waterville’s Adult Education.

Barbara was very talented. She was artistic and could design, paint, or build almost anything. No project was too big or too small.

She enjoyed her cars. She loved to travel and see the countryside from her car. She always remarked, “This is fun.”

She had a terrific sense of humor. She loved to tell stories and hold everyone’s attention; she loved to please a crowd.

She enjoyed talking with her “boys” from Scott Paper Co., in Winslow, and later with her crew at Kennebec River Development Park. She was always part of the crew.

She was the “voice of reason.” Her family loyalty and compassion were her priorities. Barbara will be remembered for her compassion for all creatures, two-legged, four-legged or winged, she was always the caregiver.

She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. William Greenlaw; brothers Hugh Allen Fox Jr., of Newport, Vermont, and Colby George Fox, MIA, Kuni-Ri, North Korea; parents and an aunt Clara Willard Fox.

She is survived by her daughter, Brenda; sons Jason and companion Toni, and Hollis and wife Angela; and grandchildren, Claire, Abigail and Austin William.

An online guest book may be signed at www.lawrybrothers.com.

Memorial donations may be made to the Barbara M. Greenlaw Scholarship for Nursing, Lawrence High School, Fairfield, ME 04937.

NANCY M. GREENE

FAIRFIELD – Nancy M. Greene, 81, passed away at home on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. She was born in Madison on April 19, 1936, to the late William and Phylis (Graf) Morrison.

Nancy had many different jobs. She worked for the Hathaway Shirt Factory, in Waterville, Norwalk Shoes, in Norridgewock, and she also made Christmas wreaths in Skowhegan. Her favorite job of all and the one she will be most remembered was being an amazing mother and companion.

Nancy enjoyed camping, fishing, spending time with family, and cooking. She really enjoyed days at camp catching the fish and cooking them for dinner.

She was predeceased by her parents; sister Mary, brother Reid and step-daughter Jane.

Nancy is survived by her husband of 64 years, Mervin; children Susan and her husband George, Mervin Jr. and wife Dottie, James and wife Debbie, Sharon and husband Eddie, Hawley and wife Debbie, and Trudy and fiancé Ronney; 19 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sister Joan, brother Butch; stepdaughter Jean; many nephews and nieces.

An online guest book may be signed at www.lawrybrothers.com.

JANICE L. LOMBARD

FAIRFIELD – Janice Lee Lombard, 78, passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2018, in Waterville. She was born on March 10, 1939, the daughter of Samuel E. and Thelma F. Jones, in East St. Louis, Illinois.

Jan loved singing and was in chorus in high school in Belleville Township, Illinois. She graduated from Belleville in 1957. In 1959, she met William David Lombard while working at her aunt’s Christian bookstore in Pensacola, Florida. He was a Naval aviator at the time, about to begin seminary college. They exchanged vows on August 7, 1959, and were married for 59 years.

Janice Lee Lombard loved being a part of her husband’s (a pastor) churches as a teacher and Sunday School administrator. A dedicated and talented singer, she also led the choir and participated as a singer late into life. She enjoyed gardening, ceramics and the scenery of coastal Downeast Maine. She was a wonderful cook, and loved feeding her large family.

They pastored several churches throughout the years, beginning at Texas Christian Children Homes, before moving to Maine. Their churches were Kingfield Baptist, South Gorham Baptist, Faith Baptist and Boothbay Harbor Baptist. Jan had a servant’s heart throughout her life and was loved by her family and friends.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Joanne Pike, in 2010.

Jan is survived by her husband William David; five children, William James, Faith, Deborah, Amy and Michael; 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sister Linda Pease.

An online guest book may be signed at www.lawrybrothers.com.

OTHERS DEPARTED

DALE M. HANSON, 81, of Augusta, passed away on Sunday, December 31, 2017, at Augusta Rehabilitation. Locally, he is survived by a son, Dale Hanson Truland, of Vassalboro.

ROBERT W. HUFF, 92, of Dover New Hampshire, passed away on Friday, January 5, 2018, following a short illness. Locally, he is survived by a son, Wayne Huff, of Albion.

JOSEPH A. RICHARD JR., 72, of Clinton, passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2018, at an Augusta hospital. Locally, his survived by two children, Holly Murdock and husband George, of Unity; grandchildren Matthew and Amanga Cowette, and Shelby Murdock, all of Unity; sisters Sherry Prescott and husband Frank, of Clinton, and Nancy Richard, of Waterville.

ROBERT W. MANN, 80, of Dexter, passed away on Wednesday, January 10, 2018, at his home. Locally, he is survived by a son, Paul Mann and wife Francesca, of Waterville; grandchildren Victoria, Paul Jr., and Steven Mann, all of Waterville; great-grandson Mason Mann, of Waterville.

MICHAEL T. ATWATER SR., 61, of Gardiner, passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2017, at Glenridge Nursing Home. Locally, he is survived by a grandson Brady Atwater, of Windsor.

WANDA L. LARRACEY, 51, of Canaan passed away on Monday, December 11, 2017, at her home. Locally, she is survived by a daughter, Nicole Larracey and companion Brett Proctor, of Oakland; and sister Lulu Trial and husband Peter, of Vassalboro.

THOMAS W. O’CONNOR, 54, of Augusta, passed away on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, following a courageous battle with cancer. Locally, he is survived by a brother, Stephen J. O’Connor and wife Rachel, of Vassalboro, and a nephew, Robert J. O’Connor, of Vassalboro.

GERALDINE M. FONTAINE, 93, of Waterville, passed away on Wednesday, December 13, 2017. Locally, she is survived by a daughter, Emelie Ferland and husband Curt, of Vassalboro; and sister Marilyn Michaud and husband Roland, of Waterville.

EVERETT F. HIGGINS, 77, of Augusta, passed away on Saturday, December 23, 2017, at Maine Veterans Home, in Augusta. Locally, he is survived by a sister, Christine Jerolman, of Vassalboro; nieces Terri Blair, of Whitefield and Tina Breton, of Vassalboro; and nephew William Baker, of Belgrade.

NATHANIEL D. SULIM, 33, of Rome, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 25, 2017, in Waterville. Locally, he is survived by sisters, Adriana Killam and husband Paul, of Albion, and Jessica Knight and husband Denny, of Oakland.

FORMER RESIDENTS

MARK L. RAYMOND, 47, of Old Orchard Beach, son of Ronald and Bertha Raymond, of Winslow, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 13, 2017, in Old Orchard Beach. He was born on July 27,1970, in Machias.

Mark graduated from Winslow High School in 1988. He had lived and worked in Old Orchard Beach for many years. Locally, he is survived by his parents Ronald and Bertha Raymond, of Winslow; his brother Ronald Raymond Jr., his sister Beth Ferry and her husband John, and sisters Rose, Wendy, and Desiree Raymond, all of Winslow; brother Jonn and his wife Megan, of Waterville; brother Steven Raymond, of Augusta.