Delmore Maxfield Sr.

SOUTH PARIS — Delmore A. Maxfield Sr., 91, of Waterford, passed peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at the Maine Veterans Home in South Paris.

Born August 15, 1924, in Harrison, son of Harry J. and Helen (Woodsum) Maxfield, he graduated from Bridgton High School, class of 1943 as valedictorian.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving from 1943 to 1945. He was a decorated rifleman of the 5th Ranger Battalion and a proud WWII veteran, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Silver Star recipient.

He was an avid carpenter, inventor and craftsman, having built many family homes, furniture, toys and walking canes. He was quite ingenious, often creating many unique gadgets for many common purposes. He had many hobbies, including restoring antique engines, building remote control cars, planes, boats and trucks, tinkering with almost anything.

He and his brother Harold founded and operated Maxfield Brothers in Harrison for more than two decades, and he continued to work with Searles Excavation for several years after he and his brother sold their interest to Gary Searles. In addition to his love of driving the bulldozer, he was well-known for introducing 9:30 a.m. coffee breaks to any crew he was a part of (including his many grand, great-grand and great-great-grands).

He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 70 years, Barbara, and his dear dog, Betsey of Waterford; by his eldest daughter, Susan Searles-Gazza; and son, Delmore A. Maxfield Jr. (Butch) and his wife Cathleen; grandchildren, Carol Doucette of Waterford, Chris Searles of Harrison, Kim Todd of Hampden and her husband Jim, Deb Maxfield of Bethel, Donovan Maxfield of Durham and his wife Barbara, Dan Maxfield of Harrison and his wife Kelly, James Gazza of Conn., and his fiancée Nicole, Randy Gazza of Harrison and his wife Linda, and Richard Gazza of N.H., and his wife Michele, Josh Bradbury of Texas, and his wife Kara, Justin Bradbury of N.Y., and his wife Shanon; as well as 19 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews and their families.

He was predeceased by his parents; his infant daughter Sally Anne; his brother Harold Maxfield; his sister Mary Helen Barber; and his son-in-law John Gazza.

A memorial service (and reception) will be held Friday, Nov. 27, at 11 a.m., at the Ronald G. St. John VFW Post #9328, located at 176 Waterford Road, Harrison. Interment will follow at the Edes Falls Cemetery in Naples for family and close friends.

In lieu of flowers, family requests donations in his memory to Ronald G. St. John VFW Post #9328, PO Box 698, Harrison, ME 04040, or William I. Pembroke American Legion Post #139, PO Box 212, Harrison, ME 04040. Arrangements are in the care of Oxford Hills Funeral Services, 1037 Main Street, Oxford.