Calais Academy

Class of 1940

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Deceased Classmates

Dorothy Bartlett Campbell Obituary [Provided by Thelma Eye Brooks.] 022811

Gerry Beckett Obituary [Provided by Thelma Eye Brooks]

Lois Brown McNamara, 87, a lifelong Calais resident, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010, at Atlantic Nursing Home, Calais. She was born Nov. 28, 1922, in Calais, the daughter of Ralph and Annie (Maguire) Brown. She attended schools in Calais and graduated from Calais Academy and Holy Rosary Business School, St. Stephen, New Brunswick. After graduation she worked for a year in Boston before returning to Calais, where she married William J. McNamara, Nov. 24, 1943. They had celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary, November 2006, just prior to Bill's death. Lois worked for the state of Maine's Employment Office for 26 years. Mrs. McNamara was a communicant at Immaculate Conception Church, Calais, a member of Daughters of Isabella, Sodality and was a participant in all church activities. She was an avid golfer and was for many years a member of St. Croix Country Club, where she served on numerous committees. She and Billy were regulars at the club, playing every possible day after retirement. She was active in her children's activities, serving as a Cub Scout den mother and a Brownie and Girl Scout troop leader. She had many talents, but particularly enjoyed creating with her hands through sewing, crewel and needlework, and antique chair caning and refinishing. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Billy; two infant children, Mark and Roxanne; her parents; her sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth and Earl Gaddis of Woodland; and her brother, Daniel Brown of Bradenton, Fla. She is survived by two children, Michael McNamara and his wife, Patricia, of Naples, Fla., and Sue Ellen Clark and her husband, Arnold, of Calais; four grandchildren, Michele McNamara of Portland, William McNamara and his wife, Alane, of Burlington, Vt., Arnold S. Clark and his wife, Tamara, of Durham and Derek Clark and his fianc?e, Jaime Hiltz, of Scarborough; four great-grandchildren, Sarah and Amy McNamara, and Sofia and Oliver Clark; sisters-in-law, Grace Brown of Bradenton, Fla., and Joyce Beecher of Cape Elizabeth; numerous nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to visit with the family 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, at Mays Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Calais. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at Immaculate Conception Church, Calais Avenue, Calais, by Father James Plourde. Interment will be in the family plot at Calais Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Lois' memory may be made to Immaculate Conception Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 898, Calais, ME 04910 or Calais Regional Hospital, 22 Hospital Lane, Calais, ME 04619. Condolences may be expressed at www.maysfuneralhome.com.  [Provided by Sharon Howland & John Adams]

Blaine Campbell Obituary [Provided by Thelma Eye Brooks] 

Lois K. Connolly St. Clair, 88, passed away Thursday March 3, 2011. She was born in Portland on Sept. 21, 1922 the daughter of Edward and Ida (Foley) Connolly. Lois was a graduate of Calais Academy class of 1940. She was a lifelong resident of the Portland - Westbrook area. On Sept. 21, 1942 she married James St. Clair in Portland. Lois was a devoted homemaker, wife, mother , grandmother, and great-grandmother to her loving family. Lois was extremely proud of her Irish heritage and at the age of 78 took it upon herself to visit the homeland of her ancestors. Until the day she passed, that trip was one of her proudest and fondest memories. She was also an active member of Deering Chapter 59 Order of the Eastern Star where she had served as Past Matron. Besides her parents she is predeceased by her husband, James St. Clair who passed away Oct. 25, 1996. Lois is survived by her daughter Judith and her husband Floyd Smeltzer, her son John and his wife Wendy St. Clair; her grandchildren; Kevin and Tracy Sullivan, Joshua, Jamie and Andrew St. Clair; her great-grandchildren, Ryan and Dillon Sullivan, Dimitri Skinsacos, Parker Sewall; and her future great-grandchild, Levi Johnson. Relatives and friends are invited to a time of visitation on Tuesday March 8, 2010 from 5-7 p.m. at the Jones, Rich and Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. where Eastern Star Services will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. by Members of Deering Chapter 59 O.E.S Graveside committal services and interment will take place at the Maine Veterans Cemetery, Augusta, at a later date. For those who desire, contributions in her memory may be made to: Deering-Iona Eastern Star Scholarship Fund C/O Robert Brown, 65 Alden Circle, Portland, ME 04102, Lois K. St. Clair, Jones, Rich & Hutchins, Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 775-3763. [Published in Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram on March 6, 2011. Provided by Sharon Howland.] 030611

Dorothy Carlow Warden Obituary [Provided by Thelma Eye Brooks] 120909

Dr. Paul George Corrigan, Sr. - Millinocket, died unexpectedly Dec. 18, 2004, at a Bangor hospital, after suffering a heart attack. He was born Feb. 18, 1923, in Calais, the second son of Edward J. and Edith (Aiken) Corrigan. He was predeceased by his brother, Philip Aiken Corrigan. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth Gerry Corrigan; their two sons, Paul Jr. and his wife, Jan, of Greenville, Bill and his wife, Mary Ellen, of New Gloucester; and three daughters, Mary Edith Springuel and her husband, Ren‚, of Glen Echo, Md., Patt Morrison and her husband, Bill, of Miami, Fla., and Mickey Carr and her husband, John, of Yarmouth. He also had 16  grandchildren. Dr. Corrigan was a graduate of Calais Academy and Holy Rosary Business School in St. Stephen, New Brunswick. He received Degrees in Optometry from Pennsylvania State College and Massachusetts College of Optometry, and for many years practiced his profession in Millinocket, Maine, until his retirement in 1987. He was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran. Dr. Corrigan was an avid outdoorsman. He helped develop and maintain the Millinocket x-country ski trails at the Katahdin Timber Cruisers snowmobile club. He loved to fly fish, hunt and x-country ski. He and his sons spent many days each year together in pursuit of Brook Trout and Whitetail Deer. He taught all his daughters how to bait a hook. In 1956, he and his wife, Betty purchased a camp on Millinocket Lake where they spent summers with their children, coming to town only for church, work, and little league games. After retirement, Paul and Betty went to camp when the snow melted and stayed till the pipes froze. Dr. Corrigan was a communicant of St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. He was very proud of his long affiliation with the Democratic party. Though reticent to reveal his political views to strangers, his family and friends knew that his political values were anchored firmly in the New Deal of Post-Depression America. The things he valued most were the family he and Betty raised and the strong ties both of them had to the community of Millinocket. Friends may call 5-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, at R.L. Bouchard Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 1132, Fairfax, VA. Or to the Katahdin Area Support Group. For online register book, please visit www.bouchardfh.com [Bangor Daily News] 

Jacqueline Dinsmore Ellsmore  -- SEARSPORT - Jacqueline D. Ellsmore, 84, died peacefully, Nov. 30, 2007, at her home, with her daughter. She was born May 12, 1923, in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, the daughter of Willard A. and Marion G. (Rawding) Dinsmore. She graduated from Calais Academy, Calais, Class of 1940. Mrs. Ellsmore was a member of the W.S.C.S. at Searsport United Methodist Church, Searsport Historical Society and the "Happy Hookers," a rug hooking group. She helped do ear and eye testing for Searsport schools for many years and was a Brownie Scout leader in Brewer. Jacqueline was an avid Boston Celtics and Red Sox fan, loved John Wayne movies, Nat King Cole music, enjoyed reading, dancing, doing crossword puzzles, watching her soap operas, knitting and made Afghans for all the babies in the family. She loved to go out to dinner, her favorite places were Jordan's, Angler's, Just Barb's, Dockside and celebrated all her birthdays at Chez Michel's Restaurant, Lincolnville. She is survived by her three daughters, Judith Ellsmore of Chelsea, Patricia Damborg and her husband, Kirk, of Augusta and Rebecca Ellsmore of Searsport; one special daughter-in-law, Diane Curtis of Searsport; eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, one great- great-grandchild, several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 46 years, Norman C. Ellsmore in 1989; her son Norman "Chuck" Ellsmore Jr. in 1996; and one sister, Natalie C. Ellis in 2001. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, at Young Funeral Home, 31 West Main St., Searsport, with Pastor Chris Johnson officiating. Interment will be at Elmwood Cemetery, Searsport. Donations in her memory may be made to Town Line Animal Shelter, 46 Baker Road, Belfast, ME 04915 or Searsport Historical Society, P.O. Box 28, Searsport, ME 04974. [BDN 120307 provided by Sharon Howland & John Adams] 

EDWARD DOWNING, 66, 35417 Orange Grove Lane, Lake Eustis Village, Leesburg, died Sunday. Born in Calais, Maine, he moved to Leesburg from Machiasport, Maine, in 1982. He was a retired civil engineer and was a Protestant. He was a World War II and Korean War Navy veteran. He was a Mason and a member of the USS California Reunion Association. Survivors: wife, Louise; father, Harold, Calais; son, William, Maine; daughters, Mrs. Mary Hammond, East Machias, Maine, Elaine Graviett, Bowdoinham, Maine, Mrs. Laurie Perseille, Standish, Maine, Mrs. Susan Wilson, California; brother, Fred, Freeport, Maine; sister, Mrs. Freda Polk, Calais; seven grandchildren. [Orlando Sentinel 3/7/88] 

Fletcher Richard Frost, 87, passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 15, 2009, at a Bangor hospital with his family by his side. Richard was born May 21, 1922, in Calais, son of the late Floyd and Vira (Leahan) Frost. He attended grade school in Alexander and Milltown schools and was a graduate of Calais Academy, Class of 1940, where he served as class president for all four years. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army. After the war, Richard moved to Hartford, Conn., and worked at Pratt-Whitney defense plant. Shortly after, Richard returned to Calais where he owned and operated Frost Financial Services, Frost Real Estate, and H&R Block in Calais for many years. He was a communicant of Immaculate Conception R.C. Church, Calais. Richard was also a member of St. Croix Council No. 149, Knights of Columbus and Sherman Brothers Post No. 3, American Legion. He enjoyed traveling, computers, gardening and attending family gatherings. In addition to his parents, Richard was predeceased by his first and second wives, Mary (Casey) Frost and Eileen (Wildman) Frost; two sons, Richard Eugene "Gene" Frost and Daniel Joseph Frost; two brothers, Wilfred and Norris Frost; and a sister, Alice Farnsworth. Surviving are his loving companion of more than 34 years, Kathryn "Kay" Gaddis of Calais; five children, James Frost and his companion, Jorge Morales, of Virginia, Margaret Shaw and her husband, Leslie, of Brewer, Maryanne Starbird and her husband, Jan, of Levant, Suzanne Taber and her companion, Mark L'Heureux, of Sanford and Sherri Cox and her husband, Kevin, of Ellsworth; a stepson, Rodney Sabbattus and his wife, Robin, of Augusta; two stepdaughters, Judy Varnum and her companion, Donn Goodwin, of Bangor and JoAnne Spinney and her husband, Paul, of Calais; two daughters-in-law, Jeanne Frost of Brewer and Nancy Frost of St. George, New Brunswick; 22 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren; a special niece, Diane Morrison of Falmouth; many cousins and friends; and his "extended family" at the Maine Veterans' Home, Bangor, where he was a resident for the last five months. Visiting hours will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday, July 17, at Mays Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Calais. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 2 p.m. Saturday at Immaculate Conception R.C. Church, Calais Avenue, Calais, with the Rev. James Plourde, celebrant. Burial will be at Calais Cemetery. Donations in Richard's memory may be made to Immaculate Conception R.C. Church, P.O. Box 898, Calais, ME 04619 or to a charity of one's choice. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.maysfuneralhome.com. [BDN 071609 provided by Sharon Howland] 

Arthur Garland  Obituary [Provided by Thelma Eye Brooks] 

Henry Gillespie - SCARBOROUGH -- Henry A. Gillespie, 86, of Falmouth, died Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, at the Gosnell Hospice House. He was born in Calais on March 20, 1923, the son of Arthur Henry and Phyllis Dary Gillespie. He graduated from Calais Academy and Hebron Academy. Henry married Marian Saunders on Sept. 20, 1943. She predeceased him in 2001. Henry was attending the University of Maine in Orono when World War II started. He then left college to work at New England Shipbuilding Corp. in South Portland. After the war, Henry returned to Calais to operate and eventually own Trimble Brothers Shoe Store. Henry was also the Postmaster in Calais for a few years. He also owned H.A. Gillespie Clothing Store in Woodland. Later Henry moved to Waterville to work at W.T. Grants and Lamey Wellehan in Stearns Dept. Store. Henry retired to Englewood, Fla., in 1987. After the passing of his wife Marian, he moved back to Maine to live with his family. Henry was a member of the Calais Lions Club, Rotary, and the St. Croix Country Club in Calais. He also belonged to the St. Croix Masonic Lodge in Calais. Henry was the Chairman of the Washington County Republican Committee. He was a Shriner in the Anah Temple in Eastern Maine and the Sahib Temple in South Western Florida. He was a member of the Elks in Both Waterville, and Englewood, Fla. He was known for his story telling and being a good cribbage player. 'We had some good laughs.' Henry is survived by his son John K. Gillespie and his wife Cheryl of Falmouth; and two granddaughters, Darcie Gillespie of San Francisco and Kelsey Gillespie of Falmouth. The family of Henry Gillespie would like to send a sincere Thank You to Dave and the staff at Countryside Villa, his cribbage partner, Anne, and all the staff members at Gosnell Hospice House. There are no services scheduled at this time. Private family services will be scheduled at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland. In Henry's memory donations can be made to: The Shriners Hospital Care of Shriners International Headquarters 2900 Rocky Point Drive Tampa, Florida 33607 Email is donorrelations@shrinenet.org. Henry A. Gillespie Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home & Cremation Service 775-3763 [Published in the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram on 11/1/2009 provided by Sharon Howland.]

Pauline Hartford Smith. PAULINE WINIFRED SMITH, 71, 16225 Peru Road, Umatilla, died Saturday, Nov. 12. Mrs. Smith was a retired psychiatric aide. Born in Calais, Maine, she moved to Umatilla in 1975. A member of First Church of God, Eustis, she also belonged to the Ladies Auxiliary Post 8665, Veterans of Foreign Wars, past matron of Umatilla Chapter 32 Order of the Eastern Star. Survivors: husband, Robert F.; son, Robert William, Brunswick, Maine; daughter, Nancy S. Spires, Umatilla; brother, Phillip L., Hartford, Pa.; sisters, Charlotte Dean, Woodland, Maine, Phyllis Claridge, Plantation; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren. [Orland Sentinel 11/14/94] 

Anna Hume Weir.  CUMBERLAND -- Anna E. Weir (Betty) died on Friday, Dec. 14, 2007, at the Southern Maine Hospice Center in Scarborough after a six month battle with ovarian cancer. Betty was born Oct. 2, 1922, in Calais, the daughter of Eugene Webb Hume and Harriet M. Boles. She graduated from Calais Academy in 1940 and went on to Northeastern Business School in Portland where she graduated in 1941. She married Everett B. Weir on June 6, 1943. He was serving in the Army National Guard, Coastal Artillery, stationed at Ft. Williams and went on to serve in various campaigns in the European theater starting with D-Day, their first wedding anniversary. Upon his return home they made their home in Cumberland Center moving there in 1947. They raised three children, Eugene, Ann and Mary at their home on Main Street. Betty first worked as a private secretary for the Portland Water District for about eight years. Then in the late 1950s, wanting to spend more time with her children, she got a part-time job with the U.S. Post Office in Cumberland Center. She became a full-time postal clerk in the 1970s and retired from the Post Office in 1984. With her children grown up she wanted to spend more time with the farm (farming). She was active in the Cumberland Garden Club and assisted in the landscape design of the 60s Merrill addition to the Prince Memorial library. While on Main Street she started a small Toggenberg Goat herd and belonged to both the American Dairy Goat Association and the Southern Maine Dairy Goat Association. In 1965 Betty her husband Everett and Mary moved to the farm on what is now Pleasant Valley Road in Cumberland. The dairy goatherd grew and had several grand champions at the dairy goat shows. Betty became a dairy goat judge for a short time but found that too strenuous and tedious, as dairy goat shows were becoming all day events. In 1964 she was inspired by Rachel Carson's, Silent Spring to bring about a better way to grow our food with out poisoning the environment and ourselves. Betty was one of the founding inspirations for the Maine Organic Farmer's and Gardener's Association (MOFGA) serving on various committees and one of the founders of the Common Ground Country Fair. She has been an invaluable resource for various agricultural organizations, including the Maine Beef Industry Council, Maine Maple Producers, University of Maine Co-Operative Extension and Maine Department of Agriculture. In 1987 she joined the Brunswick Farmer's Market and shared a space with Marilyn Settlemire and Sue Sergeant where she was an Organic Beef and Vegetable vendor. When Brunswick Topsham land Trust Crystal Springs opened in 2000 she was one of the lonely few that gave it a try. Now it is one of the liveliest farmer's markets in the state. Betty was one of the founding members of the Cumberland Farmer's Market in 1997 Betty leaves her three children, Eugene who has been helping her run the farm, Ann who lives in Mt. Tremper, N.Y., and Mary who also lives in Cumberland; nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; her sister in-law, Ruth Hume of Portland; several cousins, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at the Congregational Church in Cumberland Center where Betty has been a life-time member. The service is scheduled for Saturday Jan. 5, 2008, at 11 a.m. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives, LLC 500 Route One, Yarmouth.   In lieu of flowers Betty would like donations made to Maine Organic Farmer's and Gardener's Association. [Provided by Sharon Howland and Marilyn Strout] 

Mary J. LeSuer Kuch. SOUTH PORTLAND - Mary J. Kuch, 86, of Ridgeland Avenue, died Friday, Dec. 6, 2007, at a Portland hospital. Mary was born in Calais, a daughter of Carleton Edward and Esther Isabella Young LeSuer. She was educated in the Calais schools and graduated from Calais High School. She came to the South Portland area at the age of 18, and was a member of Brown's Hill United Methodist Church, South Portland, for many years. Mary worked at the South Portland shipyard as a welder when she first came to South Portland and was later employed as a stitcher at Herman's shoes for 27 years, until her retirement in 1986. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles F. Kuch. Surviving are her two daughters, Beverly J. Preston of Westbrook, and Carlene Thompson and her husband, Donald, of Hermon; a brother, Robert Young of Moosesup, Conn.; three grandchildren, Steven and Richard Preston of Westbrook, and Jeffrey Thompson and his wife, Katherine, of Windham; four great-grand-children, Robbie and Chelsea Preston of Westbrook, and Owen and Mary Thompson of Windham. There will be no visiting hours. Friends and relatives are invited to attend a memorial service 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at First United Methodist Church, 179 Ridgeland Ave., South Portland. Interment will be at Brooklawn Memorial Park. Arrangements are by Hobbs Funeral Home, South Portland. Contributions may be made in her memory to First United Methodist Church, 179 Ridgeland Ave., South Portland, ME 04106 [BND 121007 provided by Marilyn Strout & John Adams] 

Joyce Lyons Tracy Obituary [Provided by Thelma Eye Brooks] 

Frances McCurdy, 85, passed away unexpectedly March 19, 2008, at a Bangor hospital. She was born June 29, 1922, in Calais. Frances worked after graduation in Connecticut, Bangor and then in Calais for New England Telephone Co., employed as a telephone operator until her retirement. Frances enjoyed the Benevolent Society and Calais Historical Society, and was a main organizer of Academy Street School Reunion. Her love of reading gave her many hours of enjoyment. She was predeceased by her parents, Percy and Rachel McCurdy. She is survived by one brother, Ralph and wife, Florence McCurdy, of Salem, Ore.; two nephews, Scott and wife, Kathy McCurdy, and family of Portland, Oreg., and Edwin McCurdy of Phoenix; one niece, Carole and husband, Leo Poole, of Springfield, Ore.; cousins, Virginia Knox, Karen and husband, Brian Adams, Cheryl Little, Allison and wife, Melanie Knox, Robert and wife, Nicole Knox, Leigh Knox and Dale and wife, Wendy Knox, all of St. John, New Brunswick. Frances will be sadly missed by all her friends in Calais, especially very close neighbor friends, Christopher and Carol Eagan. At Frances' request, there will be no funeral services. There will be a committal at the family lot in Calais, which will be held at a later date. [BDN 032808 provided by Sharon Howland] 

John M. O'Neil Obituary [provided by Thelma Eye Brooks]

Marjorie Smith.  Marjorie R. Colpitts, 85 SOUTH PORTLAND -- Marjorie R. Colpitts, 85, of South Portland passed away peacefully with her family by her side at Maine Medical Center after a very brief illness. She was born on March 3, 1923, in Charlotte, the daughter of the Late Willard and Ruth (Morgan) Smith. She graduated from Calais Academy. She was married to Francis Colpitts for 57 years until his death in 1998. She lived in South Portland where their five children were raised. She enjoyed her time spent at their cottage on Raymond Pond boating and snowmobiling. After her husband's retirement they wintered in Zepherhills, Fla. She enjoyed sewing and made both of her daughter's wedding gowns. Her other interests were gardening and cooking. She was an avid homemaker who took pride in the upkeep of all her properties. Her life revolved around her children and grandchildren. Marjorie had just received a 50 year certificate of membership from the First Congregational Church of South Portland. She is predeceased by her husband; two sisters, Lois Alexander and Faye Doliber, and a brother, Nelson Smith. She is survived by her three sons and wives, John and wife Dionne of Las Cruz, N.M., Richard and wife Stephanie of Arundel, Terry and wife Lisa of Scarborough, and two daughters and husbands Donna and Tom Borrello of Davenport, Fla., and Debra and Lloyd May of New Gloucester. She is also survived by a sister, Barbara Mylen of Charlotte, a brother, John Smith of Calais; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and cousins. The family would like to extend special thanks to the nursing staff at Maine Medical Center Gibson Pavillion for their outstanding care and compassion. Visiting hours will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, at the Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland, where a funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13. Burial to follow at Brooklawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Marjorie's memory to: The Maine American 1 Main St. Suite 04086-1240 Marjorie R. Colpitts.

Hazen W. 'Gentle Ben' Spearin, 82, of Yarmouth Rd., died May 11, 2003 in a Lewiston Hospital from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. His wife, Blanche L. Worthen Spearin, also died from the accident. He was born in Robbinston, a son of Alonzo A. and Evelyn M. Morrell Spearin. He attended Robbinston Ridge Elementary School and was a 1940 graduate of Calais Academy. He was a 1948 graduate of Gray Business College in Long Beach, Calif., and a 1969 graduate of Maine School of Practical Nursing in Portland as its first male graduate. Mr. Spearin had worked for Todd Shipyard Los Angeles Division in San Diego, Calif., and for Fruhauf Trailers building spacecrafts. He returned to Maine in 1962 to work for Prosperity at the South Portland Shipyard, then as a route delivery man for Old Tavern Farms. For eight years, Mr. Spearin worked for Bennett Retirement Home in Windham as a bookkeeper, a nurse and as an interviewer. He also worked at Maine Medical Center for 15 years. After his retirement in 1983, he worked as a bookkeeper for Richard Reid in Gray and sold flowers for Nellie Bennett. He enjoyed camping, traveling and fishing. During World War II, Mr. Spearin served in the Army. Surviving him are a son, Mark J. Spearin of Durham, N.C. Funeral services will be held in conjunction with his wife's at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 17, at Dolby Funeral Chapel, 434 River Rd., Windham. Visiting will be held from 10 -11 a.m., prior to the service. The Rev. Eva Cutler will officiate. Interment will follow in Gray Village Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to: Gray Rescue 125 Shaker Rd. Gray, Maine 04039.  [Portland, ME Press Herald 5/14/03 provided by Marilyn Strout]

Maxine Thomas - WASHBURN - Maxine Kennedy (Thomas) Cox, 87, passed away Sept. 25, 2009. She was born April 12, 1922, in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, daughter of Vernon and Alma (Kennedy) Thomas. Maxine was a 1940 graduate of Calais Academy. After her retirement in 1986 as co-owner of a successful bluestone and slate company in Somerville, Mass., Maxine relocated from her longtime home in Medford, Mass., to Washburn to be close to her brother and family. For 30 years Maxine enjoyed her summers at "the coast" - York Beach - the place she loved, was happiest, and was most at peace near Nubble Lighthouse. Maxine's other loves and passions included her many Siamese cats and her 25 years as a member of Liberty Belle Chorus of Arlington, Mass., a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, an organization of women singers dedicated to the performance of a capella four-part barbershop style harmony. With the award winning Liberty Belles, she performed in numerous regional and national chorus competitions and traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe. Maxine was extremely proud to be a Sweet Adeline. "The Sweets" fulfilled her need to sing and to "harmonize the world." Maxine is survived by six cousins, "the Kennedy Girls," and their mother, Dorothy, of Houlton; a niece, Leasha A. (Thomas) Fitzherbert of Washburn; a nephew, Michael C. Thomas of West Palm Beach, Fla.; and her longtime caregiver and guardian, her beloved niece, Debra G. (Thomas) Deveau of Presque Isle. She was predeceased by her husband, Vivian; and brother, Lawrence H. Thomas of Washburn. Honoring Maxine's wishes, services were not conducted. [Published in Bangor Daily News on October 10, 2009. Provided by Sharon Howland.]

Margaret Thompson. Margaret J. "Ena" Lyons a Stoneham resident for the past 47 years, died on Thursday, January 28 at the Golden Living Elmhurst Nursing Home in Melrose. Born in Calais, Maine, she was the daughter of the late Chester and Anna (Riley) Thompson. Mrs. Lyons was a graduate of Calais Academy, Class of 1940. She was a retired clerk for the Registry of Motor Vehicles in Boston and had also worked for B.F. Goodrich in Watertown. Mrs. Lyons was a member of St. Patrick's Parish in Stoneham. Mrs. Lyons was the wife of the late Edward F. "Red" Lyons. She is survived by her loving daughter Diane Walsh of Stoneham, her devoted granddaughter Meghan Walsh of Malden, her sister Pauline Leonard of Canton, her son-in-law Thomas F. Walsh of Malden, her five sisters-in-law; Lucille Thompson, Hazel Thompson, Barbara Thompson, Irene Thompson and Joanne Thompson. Mrs. Lyons is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, friends and her dog Ruby. She was predeceased by her loving grandson Ryan Walsh of Malden, her five brothers; Philip Thompson, Leo Thompson, Edgar Thompson, Keith Thompson and Carl Thompson and her two sisters; Beulah O'Leary and Eleanor Collins. Her funeral will be held from the McDonald-Finnegan Funeral Home, 322 Main St, Stoneham on Monday at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral mass in St. Patrick's Church, 71 Central St. Stoneham at 10 o'clock. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 3-7p.m. Interment will be at Wildwood Cemetery in Winchester. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105. 

H. Milton Thornton Obituary [Provided by Thelma Eye Brooks] 120909