Raymond — Clarence Vernon Tripp, 81, of Webbs Mills Rd., passed peacefully Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 at Mercy Hospital of cancer, with his wife of 61 yrs., Nancy and his family by his side.

“Vern” was born in Casco on Aug. 25, 1930, the son of Harvey Leyland Tripp and Ruth Marion Fletcher. He taught Sunday School at Webbs Mills Baptist Church in Casco as a teenager. He married his true love, Nancy Jane Oakes there on June 17, 1951. He attended Casco schools and served in the U.S. Army from 1952–1954 and was in the Army Reserves until 1960.

Vern began cooking at commercial summer camps at the very young age of 12. Creating amazing meals became his passion. Vern was well-known for his melt-in-your-mouth dinner rolls and whoopie pies. Among his hobbies were stock car racing and woodworking. He applied his self-taught skill at local summer camps as well as Hebron Academy, Kents Hill Prep School, Poland Spring Job Corps, The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry N.Y., Stoneybrook College in Long Island N.Y., The Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC, UNE, and Brighton Medical Center. Upon retiring some 16 years ago, he worked summers at Camp Pinehurst in Raymond, which was his love through the summer of 2011. He was driven by the appreciation and love he received from both campers and staff. He worked at Wal-Mart, where he continued to entertain associates and customers alike with his fun-loving personality.

Most important to Vern were his family, whom he loved to tease and joke with, and the Boston Red Sox.

Vern was predeceased by his brother, George Leonard. Surviving are his wife Nancy; brothers: Bert Leonard, Charles and wife Sally of Vineland, N.J., Robert and wife Donna of Norway, Maine, and Philip and wife Pat of Zephyrhills, Fla.; sons: Bruce and wife Susan (Rollins) of Bethlehem, Pa., Lee Tripp and wife Karen (Little) of Memphis, Tenn., John R. Tripp and wife Vanphen (Udomsay) of So. Portland; and daughter Melissa E. Poree and husband David of Casco. Also surviving is stepdaughter Donna Leaf of San Jose, Calif.

Vern enjoyed his grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Travis, Douglas, Austin, Logan, Matt, Cara, Jonathan, Jessica, DJ, Jillian, Kirsten, Stephen, Amanda, David; and great-grandchildren, Sophia, Chelsea and Brayden.

A memorial gathering will be held from 6–8 p.m. Friday at the Webbs Mills Baptist Church on Rt. 85 in Casco. Arrangements are by Hall Funeral Home, Casco.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Mercy Hospital, 144 State St., Portland, ME 04101, or to the VNA Home Health Hospice, 50 Foden Rd, So. Portland, ME 04106.