Obituaries, Week of August 2, 2018

SUSAN A. ALLEIN

FAIRFIELD – Susan Allein died on Tuesday, July 3, 2018.

She had been ill in several ways for some time, but death came unexpectedly. Susan was born in Los Angeles, California, and attended schools in Alhambra, becoming a Top Twenty national champion debater before entering Occidental College. She came to New England and earned a master’s degree in literature at Brandeis University.

She taught in several venues, including the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, where she originated the Women’s Studies program. Returning to Boston, she continued to teach, including a period at Open Road School, a private school in Waltham serving young people uncomfortable in the public school system. She further honed her skills as a social activist, including the organization of a Boston contingent that went to New York City to join the million- person March Against Nuclear War in 1982.

In 1986, Susan and her husband moved to Fairfield, searching for and finding an idyllic home in the country. In a short time, Susan became a volunteer in the Displaced Homemakers program, later named Women, Work, and Community. She was hired as co-ordinator for the Waterville chapter and then became regional director of the program for several counties in central Maine where she continued for 15 years until her retirement in 2007.

Bright and articulate and generous in all ways, Susan Allein acted out her highest ideals, notably a passion for peace and for justice in the world.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Flanagan, brother Lewis, and sister Karen and Patrick and wife Bryn; brother-in-law Doug; sisters-in-law Valerie and Susan; and niece Catherine; and richard’s three children, Clancy, Jay, and Michael and their spouses and children.

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

DELORES M. FIELD

VASSALBORO – Delores Marie Field, 70, passed away on Monday, July 9, 2018, following a long illness. She was born on October 10, 1947, in Waterville, the daughter of Carolyn Knowles and Thomas Elliott.

She grew up in Fairfield, spending her summers at her family camp on China Lake, along with her cousin and friend Stevie Elliott. She attended Fairfield schools and graduated from Lawrence High School, in Fairfield, in 1965. On November 10, 1966, she married Rene Field, the day before he deployed to Vietnam for two years. Upon his return, they started and raised their family in Waterville, and later Vassalboro. For nearly 30 years, she worked as a papermaker for Scott Paper Company, in Winslow, and later S. D. Warren, in Hinckley.

Always kind, and never an ill word for anyone, she was always the first person to be there for her family and friends, both in times of joy and in times of sadness.

The life of the party with her infectious laugh and boisterous storytelling, her pool parties were must-attend events. And despite the sometimes grueling demands of her work schedule, she was always there for her children, from Little League to high school basketball, from music recitals to class plays, even if she had to sacrifice sleep following a long shift at work.

Delores is survived by her husband Rene Field; her father Thomas Elliott; her daughter Michele White and husband Bill; son Eric Field and wife Samira; grandchildren Dustin, Joshua, Hayden, Kiernan and Delany; great-grandchildren Karson, Avery and Harper; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; aunts, nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her mother Carolyn; sister Esther Ellis and brother-in-law David Ellis, her brother Roger; in-laws Paul and Yvette Field; many aunts, uncles and cousins.

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

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org or at 225 N. Michigan Ave., FL 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601 or any other worthy cause.

GERALD M. POTTLE

PALERMO – Gerald M. Pottle, 80, passed away on Sunday, July 15, 2018. He was born July 18, 1937, in Palermo, the son of Robert G. and Esther L. (Reed) Pottle.

Gerald was an over the road trucker, wood cutter––taking pulp to the mill every night. He also did earthwork, including airstrips a golf course,and many ponds––the last one being a work of art as a legacy to his family. His passion was flying his airplane.

He was married to Shirley (Barton) Pottle for 34 years. In 2005, he married Yvonne (Temple) Pottle.

He was predeceased by his first wife Shirley; his son David; his brother Norman; and his parents.

He is survived by his wife Yvonne; his brothers Robert (Bobby) Pottle, Neal and wife Theresa Pottle; children Sandra Gould and husband Steve, of Sherman, Lindy Bausch and husband Jarry, of Jewett City, Connecticut, Cindy Pottle, of Palermo, Donna Beaulieu and husband Steve, of Clinton; stepchildren Lisa Chambers and husband Donnie, of Burnham, Stan Garnett, of Vassalboro, Todd Garnett and wife Tina, of Knox; several grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

MARY ELLEN WENTZEL

VASSALBORO – Mary Ellen Wentzel, 86, died at her Vassalboro home on Sunday, June 24, 2018. She was born in Waterville on February 21, 1932, the last of six children of Eunice Myrtle (Pollard) French and Thomas Cowan French, who founded French’s Market Gardens, of South China, in 1937.

Mary attended elementary school in South China and graduated from South China’s Erskine Academy with the class of 1950, while also working on the family farm. In 1947, she met her future husband, Philip Martin Wentzel, of Augusta, at a dance at South China’s Lakeview Pavillion, prior to his tour of duty in Allied-occupied Japan with the Army of the United States. From 1950-1952, she studied at the School of Practical Art (Art Institute of Boston) and was employed by Liberty Mutual Insurance.

On September 13, 1952, Mary married Philip Wentzel. They remained married for over 65 years until his death on February 6, 2018. They resided first in Augusta, then Weeks Mills and South China, and lastly in Vassalboro. Together they had three sons.

Mary’s many interests included showing and riding horses, sewing, home renovation and decorating-converting old houses into cherished family homes-and always supporting family and friends. Throughout her life she spent many hours volunteering at soup kitchens and churches, tending to the needy and creating a sense of community. In later years, she followed her spiritual calling to study the scriptures and lead Bible study groups both at home and at a variety of venues in central Maine. One of the highlights of Mary’s life was a month-long around-the-world tour in 1970, on which she visited numerous religious shrines.

With the great stamina and dedication instilled by her farm upbringing, Mary grew a large vegetable garden every year, froze or preserved the harvest, and provided her family with countless delicious home-cooked meals.

Mary was predeceased by her husband, Philip;both of her parents; and her siblings, Thomas J. “Buster” French, Edward W. “Jim” French, Eunice E. Bernier and husband, Odilon A. “Pete” Bernier, Francis F. French and wife, Iona (Stein) (French) Weinstein, and Charlotte L. Page, and also by Peter O. Bernier, son of Eunice and Odilon.

She is survived by her three sons: Robert F. Wentzel and wife, Valerie Hunter, of Portland, Oregon, Thomas M. Wentzel and wife, Cynthia Meler, of Tucson, Arizona, and John P. Wentzel, of Vassalboro; former daughter-in-law, Nancy (Favor) (Wentzel) Phinney, of Santa Barbara, California; three grandsons: Robert and Nancy’s Lt. Col. (USAF) Jonathan F. and wife, Claire Wentzel, Maj. (USAF) James B. and wife, Kimberly Wentzel, and Robert and Valerie’s Joshua H. Wentzel; and four great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law, Anna Beth (Packard) (French) Rynders, of Waterville, Paul H. Page, of South China, Lola (Wentzel) (Houston) Harris, of Berkeley, California, Arthur Clark, of Belgrade; and by many nieces and nephews and their families.

A joint memorial service for Mary and Philip will be held at their Vassalboro home on Saturday, August 18 at 11 a.m. A reception will follow. Email jpwentzel@twc.com for more information. You are invited to share a memory or leave an online condolence to the family at www.Obituaries.CentralMaine.com or www.DirectCremationofMaine.com.

Contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to a charity of choice.

LEROY BLOOD

WINSLOW – Leroy “Roy” Blood, 85, passed away on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at Glenridge Long Term Care, in Augusta.

For the past couple of years Leroy suffered from Alzheimer’s and resided at the Woodlands, in Hallowell, before moving to Glenridge. Prior to moving to the Woodlands Assisted Living Facility, Roy required care at his residence in Winslow.

Roy was born on March 18, 1933, in Belmont. He was the son of Mary and Milo Blood.

He graduated from Unity High School and was drafted in the U.S. Army during the time of the Korean War and became a member of the American Legion. AT the age of 19, he married the former Margaret Giggey.

After being discharged from the army, Leroy and Margaret returned to Maine where he attended college at the University of Maine in Orono. He graduated with a B.S. degree in education followed by a master’s degree in education. His first teaching assignment was at Bucksport High School teaching agriculture. Roy returned to the University of Maine and earned his C.A.S. in Administration. His first job as a principal was at Newport High School. He decided to leave Newport High School and he took a position as principal of Winslow High School. Leroy worked in this position for 26 years. During this time, he once again returned to the University of Maine and earned his superintendent degree. After serving as principal, Leroy decided to retire but he just couldn’t keep away from what he loved to do. After retiring for one week, he accepted another position at Kennebec Valley Technical College developing a technical program for kids called Tech Prep. He worked there for seventeen years

Roy was secretary for Kennebec Valley Conference Athletic Directors. He was a member of the Maine Principal’s Association. A highlight of his educational career was when he was chosen Principal of the Year.

In his spare time, Leroy enjoyed watching and betting on harness racing. He and his son, Steven, owned race horses for years. Roy was a member of the United States Trotting Association. He also served on the Maine Breeders Stakes Committee.

Leroy was an avid sports fan of the Boston Red Sox, the Celtics, and the New England Patriots. He especially enjoyed playing golf. Roy also loved to deer hunt.
He enjoyed hunting with his father Milo and his brothers Clayton, Stanley and Maurice. He and Margaret also loved to travel.

For years, Leroy was a member of St. John Catholic Church, in Winslow, where he and his family attended Mass on Sundays.

Leroy is survived by his son, Steven Blood and his wife, Lara, of Winslow; his daughter Elaine Knowlen and husband, Scott, and his granddaughter, Katie, of Winslow; his brother, Clayton Blood and wife, Barbara, of Searsport; his brother, Stanley Blood, of Belfast; his brother-in-law, Clayton Giggey and wife, Mildred, of Waterville; his sister-in-law, Ruth Blood, of Skowhegan; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife of 52 years, Margaret, he was predeceased by his brother Maurice, his sister Carol, his parents, Mary and Milo, mother-in-law Mildred Pottle and father-in-law Maurice Pottle.

Please visit www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of Roy’s life and to share condolences, memories and tributes with his family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Roy’s name to: Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 383 US Route One, Suite 2C, Scarborough ME 04074.

OTHERS DEPARTED

DORIS R. LAUSIER, 87, of South Windsor, Connecticut, passed away on Friday, June 8, 2018. Locally, she is survived by a brother, Douglas Vashon and wife Linda, of Winslow.

LOCAL TIES

DANA L. JONES, of Fairfield, passed away recently. Dana was noted as part of a tandem with the late Rodney Fernald, as the Zamboni drivers at Colby’s Alfond Ice Arena. He was told he had the best ice in the northeast.

AREA NOTABLE

JOHN “SWISHER” MITCHELL, 91, of Waterville, passed away on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. A larger than life figure, John became one of the most famous and accomplished athletes in Maine while attending Waterville High School, leading the 1944 team to an undefeated season and the New England high school basketball championship. He later became assistant to legendary head coach Dick Whitmore at Colby College, in Waterville, for 40 years.