Obituaries, Week of August 24, 2017

WILLIAM H. BICKFORD

CHINA – William (Bill) Howard Bickford, 53, passed away peacefully at home on August 19, 2017. He was born December 14, 1963, in Waterville, the son of Arnold E. and Alice H. (Esancy) Bickford.

He was educated in the schools of China and graduated from Erskine Academy in 1982. On April 18, 1998, he married the former Annette M. Curtis at the China Baptist Church. He was employed for 36 years by RSU #18 as a bus driver in the transportation department. He also owned and operated B&P Garage. Bill served on the South China and Weeks Mills Volunteer Fire Department.

Bill had the biggest heart and he always did the impossible. His family was his life. He enjoyed camping, watching cartoons, and loved his kids more than anything in the world.

Bill is survived by his wife of 19 years, Annette M. Bickford, of China; eldest son, Mike F. Davis Jr., eldest daughter, Jasmine K. Bickford, youngest son, Joshua W. Bickford, and his baby girl, Jayda A. Bickford, all of China; and two brothers, Arnold Bickford II, of Waterville, and Donald Bickford, of Albion.

Bill was predeceased by his parents and one sister.

He will be greatly missed by his nephews, Arnie Bickford and Tyler McCray; nieces, Faythe Bickford, Jessica Bickford, Abby Bickford, and Alexis Bickford, as well as, brother and sisters-in-law.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, August 25, 2017, at 11 a.m., at the China Conference Center, Neck Road, China with the Rev. Ronald E. Morrell officiating.

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

Memorial donations may be made to the Bob Smilie Pancreatic Cancer Memorial Fund, 305 Mason Road, Shapleigh, ME 04076.

MARY L. PAGE

BENTON––Mary Lee Page, 82, passed away on Saturday, July 29, 2017, at Mount Saint Joseph, in Waterville. She was born on March 27, 1935, in Fort Fairfield, the daughter of the late Ralph and Eva Seeley.

Mary attended schools in Fort Fairfield and moved to Benton in the sixth grade. She attended Lawrence High School, in Fairfield, later earning her GED after having her three children, and then she attended Thomas College where she made the dean’s list. She then began her career in banking at Fleet Bank (formerly Federal Trust), in Waterville, where she worked for 30 years. She retired in 2001 from Kennebec Savings Bank, in Waterville.

Mary was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, She was always taking care of others and would save every penny she had in order to help those she loved. Nothing made her happier than spending time with her family and supporting any and all of their endeavors. Some of her favorite pastime activities were cooking and baking. In addition, Mary loved to go to lawn sales on the weekends, watch Lawrence High School basketball, attend all of her grandchildren’s sporting events, garden, sew, and cross-country ski.

In the summertime, Mary and her husband, Mac, frequented their cottage in Northport where she enjoyed walking along the shore collecting sea glass, watching boats pass by, and eating lobster. Mary treasured spending time with her grandchildren. They enjoyed having sleepovers at her home, which normally involved playing cards or Chinese checkers, eating ice cream, and waking up to her specialty breakfast of French toast or pancakes with her delicious homemade syrup.

Mary was predeceased by her husband of 44 years, Malcolm Page; her sisters Katherine Seeley and Hilda Seeley Clifford; brother-in-law Alan Page; and sister-in-law Lois Page Stevens.

Mary is survived by son Michael Dickey, of Burnham, daughter Nancy Bickford, of North Anson, son-in-law Glenn Bickford, of Benton, daughter Ellen and husband Steve Blodgett, of Fairfield; eight grandchildren, Courtney Meuth, Ashley Jackson, Rachel Bickford, Amanda Violette, Holly Blodgett, Matthew Blodgett, Mary Ellen Blodgett and Chelsea Sosiak; six great-grandchildren, Elodie and Finley Jackson, Aden and Landon Violette, and Olivia and Savannah Meuth; brother Roland Seeley and wife Hilda; sister-in-law Anita Gagnon and brother-in-law Horace Stevens; and many nieces and nephews.

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

Memorial donations may be made to Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb Rd., Waterville ME 04901 or Benton Falls Congregational Church, 79 Benton Falls Rd., Benton ME 04901,

ERNEST W. MASH JR.

JEFFERSON––Ernest W. Mash Jr., 73, of Jefferson, passed away at his home Saturday, July 29, 2017, following a long illness. He was born December 23, 1943, in Lincoln, Nebraska, the son of Ernest Sr. and Norma (Sizemore) Mash.

Known as “All Tourney Ernie” for his great abilities as a third baseman on the baseball field and for playing pool, he won numerous trophies in both. He was also fondly referred to as”Ernie Cakes” by all the Little League players he coached for many years. He was greatly loved and will be missed by many.

He is survived by wife, Becky Waltz Mash; son, Robert and wife Julie, and their sons, Steven, Dylan and Jason; daughter, Sherrie Kropp, and her son Ryan Mash and wife Jamie; son, Michael and his daughter Nevada; son, Raymond Mash; half-sister, Carla and husband Pete Buss; as well as many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Condolences and messages for the family may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.

MARY M. DYER

FAIRFIELD – Mary Madeline (Deanie) Dyer, 86, of Fairfield, passed away at
her home, Wednesday on August 9, 2017. Deanie was born on February 25, 1931, in Fairfield, daughter of Robert and Mary Tobey. She married Frederick J. Dyer, on July 10, 1948. She worked at Keyes Fibre Co. (now Huhtamaki), in Fairfield, for 35 years, retiring in 1992.

Deanie loved spending time with her family and enjoyed cross country skiing, gardening, reading, restoring furniture, and her cats. Her only vice.. Chocolate. She developed a love for the ocean; while attending schools and living on Peak’s Island and Old Orchard Beach for a short
time in her youth during World War II, then finishing her education at Lawrence High School, in Fairfield.

She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Fred; children, Jane Moffitt and husband Edward, of Stockton Springs, Robert Dyerand wife Suzanne, of Benton, Nancy Simpson and husband Robert, Peter Dyer and Ronald Dyer, all of Fairfield; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two nieces, a grand-nephew and one grand-niece.

She was predeceased by her sister, Evelyn Houghton.

A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, August 20, 2017, at 2 p.m., at the Fairfield Community Center, 61 Water Street, Fairfield.

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

MARK E. PILSBURY

PALERMO––Mark E. Pilsbury, 67, died Sunday, January 15, 2017, at the Gosnell Hospice House, in Scarborough, following a brief, yet courageous, battle with leukemia. Mark was born in Augusta, on September 2, 1949, the son of the late Ralph K. and Frances F. (Farrell) Pilsbury.

He grew up in Palermo and graduated from Erskine Academy, class of 1969. Shortly after graduation, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Turkey, Colorado, and Las Vegas, Nevada, during his four-year service.

In June 1972, Mark married Gail Hathorne, of Gardiner and they had two children.

A lifelong communicant of St. Michael Parish, Augusta, Mark worked for the state of Maine, WalMart in Augusta, and Togus, among other places.

Mark was an avid hunter in his younger years, and had bragging rights as a member of the “Biggest Bucks in Maine” club. He also loved to fish on Branch Pond, Sheepscot Lake, and other secret fishing holes he would never divulge. Mark was very proud to be sober for over 30 years. Despite facing several challenges during his life, Mark always had a positive attitude and a unique way of looking at life, even facing his disease with a practical outlook and a sense of humor during his final days.

Mark was predeceased by his parents; and his daughter, Rebecca Pilsbury, of Humansville, Missouri.

He is survived by his son, Christopher Pilsbury, of Augusta; a sister, Jane Hussey and husband W. Carr Hussey, of Vassalboro; four brothers: Ralph Pilsbury and wife Susan, of Damariscotta, and Land O Lakes, Florida. Peter Pilsbury and wife Natalie, of Turner, Joseph Pilsbury and companion Patsy Glidden, of South China, and Thomas Pilsbury and husband Stan York, of Palermo; two aunts, Sally Pilsbury and Mary Lou Pilsbury, both of Augusta; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mark’s disease required constant blood transfusions, and the family encourages friends and relatives to donate blood if and when they can in order to help others in need.

Arrangements were under the care of Plummer Funeral Home, Windsor Chapel, 983 Ridge Rd., Windsor.

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

JEFFERY A. CARTER

WATERVILLE––Jeffery Alan Carter, 54, of Winslow, passed away on Tuesday, August 1, 2017, following a long illness. He was born in Spokane, Washington, on March 19, 1963, the youngest son of Anna (Berg) and Roland Carter.

He was an experienced drywall installer. He had a love for camping, spending time with his friends and his family. He truly enjoyed life, living it fast and well.

Jeff is survived by his parents of Winslow; two sons: Jerret, of Waterville, and Ryan, of Lebanon; two brothers, Joseph, of Fairfield and John, of Macon, Georgia; and his sister, Jennifer, of Virginia.

Please visit www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com to share condolences, memories and tributes with Jeff’s family.

MARY M. DYER

FAIRFIELD––Mary Madeline (Deanie) Dyer, 86, of Fairfield, passed away at her home on Wednesday, August 9, 2017. Deanie was born on February 25, 1931, in Fairfield, daughter of Robert and Mary Tobey.

She married Frederick J. Dyer, on July 10, 1948. She worked at Keyes Fibre Co., in Fairfield, for 35 years, retiring in 1992.

Deanie loved spending time with her family and enjoyed cross country skiing, gardening, reading, restoring furniture, and her cats.

She developed a loved for the ocean while attending schools and living on Peak’s Island and Old Orchard Beach for a short time in her youth during World War II, then finished her education at Lawrence High School, in Fairfield.

She was predeceased by her sister, Evelyn Houghton.

She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Fred; children: Jane, husband Edward Moffitt, of Stockton Springs, son Robert Dyer and wife Susanne, o f Benton; daughter Nancy Simpson and husband Robert, sons, Peter Dyer and Ronald Dyer, all of Fairfield; 12 grandchildren: 13 great-grandchildren; nieces, grandnephew, and grandnieces.

KENNETH E. TOZIER JR.

UNITY––Kenneth “Babe” E. Tozier, jr., passed away on Wednesday, August 9, 2017, at the VA Togus Springs, in Augusta. Babe was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, on March 1, 1930, to Kenneth and Evelyn (McGrath) Tozier, Sr., but spent the majority of his 87 years living in Unity.

His life was filled with family, friends, hard work and laughter. He attended Unity Grammar School and graduated from Unity High School. He served in the US Army from 1948 to 1949 and was called back in 1950 for the Korean War, where he served in the 2nd Division Combat Engineer Battalion until 1951. He was the owner of Tozier Construction Company and Tozier Real Estate Agency. Babe was a founder of Unity College and built the original dormitories and the gymnasium complex. He served three terms in the Maine State Legislature from 1974 to 1980. He was an avid antique car enthusiast. He loved flying and held a private and commercial pilot license. He had perfected the art of lying in the hammock at the family camp.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Kay Fernald Tozier, of Unity; daughter Deirdre Nash and husband Daniel, of Auburn, New Hampshire; son Joel Tozier and wife Nancy, of Sidney; daughter Susan Tozier, of Raymond, New Hampshire; four grandchildren; sister Marilyn Tozier Owen and long-time companion Kenneth Phelps, of Largo, Florida; brother Frank Tozier, of Augusta; brother-in-law James Fernald and wife Sally, of Troy, brother-in-law Stephen Fernald and wife Barrie, of Troy; nieces, nephews and their families.

Memorial donations may be made to Unity College, 90 Quaker Hill Road, Unity ME 04988, or www.unity.edu where a scholarship fund will be set up in Babe’s honor.

RETA E. DUPLESSIS

VASSALBORO––Reta E. (Weeks) Duplessis passed away on Saturday, August 12, 2017, following a brief illness. She was the daughter of William and Lillian (Hatch) Weeks.

She was raised in Gardiner and graduated from Gardiner High School in 1950.

Her family was most important to her and she was the center of their lives. She was loved by many and loved many, always had a story, was witty and made people laugh. She loved animals, growing plants, knitting, ceramics, feeding the birds and doing for other unconditionally.

She was predeceased by the love of her life, Arnold McKechnie; and son, Bruce McKechnie.

She is survived by daughter Laurie McKechnie-Levesque; son-in-law Michael; granddaughters Heather and Kamden and great-granddaughter Jasmine, son and daughter-in-law Ann McKechnie, grandchildren Jason and Elizabeth and her children.

PEARL E. PARENT

WINSLOW­­Pearl E. Parent, 66, passed away on Monday, August 14, 2017, at her home in Winslow. She was born on September 28, 1950, the daughter of the late Elden and Lela (Cayford) Belmain.

She graduated from Warsaw High School in 1969. She owned and operated a daycare out of her home for 25 years and then began cleaning homes for 17 years.

Pearl loved being surrounded by her family, especially her grandchildren. Family barbecues, along with camp fires, were her all-time favorites. She like going to lawn sales and attending the local fairs. She enjoyed playing cards, cribbage and beano. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Richard Parent; and siblings, Shirley Small, Glennys Reed and Eugene Belmain.

She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Parent and companion Tony Powell, of Oakland; her grandchildren, Ryan Logan and Mackenzie Logan, both of Oakland; siblings, Sheldon Belmain and wife Carolyn, of Rhode Island; Harold Belmain and husband Raymond Laurie, of Florida; Judith Carver and husband Norman, of Lincolnville, and Elizabeth Allen, of Winslow; special nephew, who was like a son, Mark Allen and his companion Tasha Litchfield and their two daughters, Lexie and Kayliana, of Vassalboro; several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

To leave a message of kindness for the family, visit www.shoreynichols.com.

DOROTHY MEANS

WINSLOW––Dorothy Means, 82, died on Thursday, August 17, 2017, at Mount St. Joseph, in Waterville. Dot was born December 3, 1934, in St. George, the daughter of Alfred and Frances (Berry) Rawley.

Dot grew up in St. George and the mid-coast area. She attended Thomaston School and later in life obtained her GED, of which she was very proud.

Dot met Charlie Means, Jr. at a church service in 1951 and they were married on December 15, 1951. Dot and Charlie moved to Waterville that same year.

They later welcomed their daughter Cheryl and son Charlie III into the world. In the spring of 1960, Dot and Charlie moved to Winslow, where they celebrated 65 years of marriage. Throughout the years she worked at Hathaway Shirt Factory, in Waterville, and several department stores.

Dot was an active member of Getchell Street Baptist Church for over 65 years. She enjoyed teaching Sunday School, leading Pioneer Girls, attending several Bible study groups, and attending church on a regular basis. She and Charlie also enjoyed camping and they were able to visit every state and also visited Canada. Dot loved getting her family together and cooking for them, including brothers, sisters, and inlaws.

Dot was predeceased by her parents; her sister Virginia Coffin and her husband Joseph; brothers Alfred Rawley Jr., Raymond Rawley, Ivan Rawley and wife Sharon; sister-in-law Connie Rawley; brother-in-law Richard Ralph; and niece Beverly Moody.

Dot is survived by her husband Charlie Jr.; daughter Cheryl McInnis and husband Dana; Charlie Means III and wife Tina; grandchildren Craig McInnis and wife Jennifer; Christopher McInnis and wife Rachel; CariAnn Means; four great-grandchildren; stepmother Dorothy Sears; sister Florence Ralph; brothers Richard Rawley and David Rawley and his wife Marie; sister-in-law Viola Rawley; and several nieces and nephews.

An online guestbook may be signed and condolences may be expressed at www.gallantfh.com.

Memorial donations may be made to Getchell Street Baptist Church to help the Operation Christmas Child fund.

PARKER W. SMITH

WINSLOW––Parker Wilbur Smith, 91, died unexpectedly on Thursday, August 17, 2017, at his home. He was born in Winslow on February 5, 1926, the son of Jacob B. and Marion Mae (Hersom) Smith.

Parker graduated from Winslow High School, class of 1943.

Parker grew up on the family farm, and worked there his entire life. He was a lifetime member of the Carpenters & Joiners Union and also the Millwright Union.

He was an active member of many civic and agricultural groups. He was a longtime member of the Winslow Congregational Church and a lifetime member of the Masons. Parker was a master gardener and worked in his gardens and orchards up until the time of his death.

Parker was predeceased by his first wife, Ramona Tobey Smith.

Surviving is his wife, Esther Mae (Sanderson) Smith, of Winslow; sons, James Dunbar, of Winslow, and Jed Smith, of Washington, DC; daughters, Margaret ‘Peggy’ Harkness, of Hewitt, New Jersey, Priscilla Toth, of Front Royal, Virginia, and Patti Smith, of Hoboken, New Jersey; stepchildren, Douglas and Robert Young, of Greenville, and Susan Dunlap, of Saranac Lake, New York; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

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

Memorial donations may be made to the Winslow Congregational Church, 12 Lithgow St., Winslow ME 05901.