Obituaries from the week of 01/07/10

She was born in Revere, Mass., on Aug. 19, 1923, to Charles and Sadie (Cushman) Hudson. She had worked for many years as a beautician in the Norway area and also taught at a beauty school. She had also worked at the Cumberland School Department associated with the lunch program. Retiring in 1986, she moved back to South Paris, where she started working for her daughter, Mary, in the lawn care business. She enjoyed working in her gardens and watching and feeding the birds. She enjoyed and loved her grandchildren. She was a member of the Eastern Star, Universalist Church of South Paris and Good Cheer at the church. She married her beloved husband, William Perkins, on Jan. 29, 1944, and he predeceased her on Jan. 7, 2008.

She is survived by three daughters, Carol Savageau of South Paris, Priscilla Crockett of Andover, N.H. and Mary Perkins of Lovell; three grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a half brother, Ted Cushman of Florida.

Graveside services will be held in the spring at the Woodland Cemetery in Bethel; time and date to be announced. Donations in Bertha’s memory may be sent to either the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, Pottle Road, Oxford, ME 04270; or to the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 170 U.S. Route One, Suite 250, Falmouth, ME 04105; or to the Universalist Church, c/o Jane Wheeler, 36 Pine St., South Paris, ME 04281. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com

He was born in Portland on June 3, 1926, the son of Louis and Ethel Caswell Christiansen. He graduated from Falmouth High School and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Having lived in Falmouth and Windham, he was the owner and operator of Moderne Rug Cleaning, Inc. from 1949 until his retirement in 1984. Chris was an avid outdoorsman who loved every aspect of the Maine woods. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends at his camp at Northeast Carry at Moosehead Lake. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather with dedication, kindness and sincerity.

Chris was predeceased by his loving wife of more than 56 years, Beverly Christiansen; and sister Lois Christiansen.

Survivors include his son, Bruce Christiansen of Windham; daughter, Sandra Comeau of Winterport; sister Jane Curtis of Vancouver, Wash.; two grandchildren including Erica Christiansen of Casco; two step-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at the Dolby Funeral Chapel, 434 River Rd., Windham. Spring burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Falmouth. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his wife’s Beverly Christiansen memory to: The Alzheimer’s Association Maine Chapter, 170 U.S. Rte. 1, Suite 250, Falmouth, ME 04105.

He was the beloved husband of Beverly A. (Hanson) Ralph, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage.

Born in Swampscott, Mass., Frank was the son of the late Esau and Ethel (Pelley) Ralph. He was raised in Lynn and spent most of his life here. He and his wife would vacation on Long Lake in Bridgton, and finally retired there. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served during WWII and the Korean Conflict. He served in the Pacific Theater during WWII and during the Korean Conflict he served aboard the Destroyer Escort Jack W. Wilke. Prior to his retirement, he worked as a quality control manager at Atlas Engineering Co. in Boston for over 30 years. He then briefly worked in the same position at Ramsco Corp. in Canton and retired after five years of service there. He was a member of the American Legion Post 155 in Naples, and was a member of the Blind Veteran’s Association.

In addition to his wife, Frank leaves his children, Bruce Ralph of North Berwick, Denise Kearns of North Waterboro, and Diane Kiriaji of Naples; seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews and other extended family members.

A funeral service was held in the Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home, 157 Maple St., Lynn, Mass. on Wed., Jan. 6, 2010.  Interment was in Pine Grove Cemetery. Gifts in Frank’s name may be sent to the Blind Veteran’s Association, 477 H Street, Northwest Washington, DC 20001-2694. For online memorial and guestbook, please visit www.cuffemcginn.com

A former Westbrook and Raymond resident, she was born Sept. 16, 1916, in Portland, the daughter of the late George Washington Hunter and Annetta Gailey. She was a graduate of the University of Maine and taught elementary school in the Westbrook school system for 20 years, before retiring in 1976. She was a member of Downey Memorial Church in Orlando, Fla., and formerly First Baptist Church in Portland.

She is survived by her husband, Edwin C. McKeague of Oveido, Fla.; daughter, Mary E. (Lee A.) Emerson of Oveido, Fla.; son, Gerald E. (Vicky) McKeague of Orlando, Fla.; a grandson, granddaughter, great-grandson and five nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010, at Savannah Court, 395 Alafaya Woods Blvd., Oviedo, Fla.

He was born June 29, 1906 in Otisfield to Benjamin and Grace Spiller Dyer. He grew up in Otisfield, attended Otisfield schools, and graduated from Oxford High School in 1924. He attended the General Electric School in Massachusetts, graduating after four years. His first job was an auditor for the federal government, traveling across the states by train. He returned to Otisfield in 1930 to settle with his wife Lena Kemp. While here, he served the town as selectman, treasurer, tax collector and fire chief. They later moved to Lewiston, where he sold lumber for L. C. Andrews. His next job was with the State of Maine Highway Department, where he worked until his retirement in 1971. During that time, he moved to Augusta where he lived until 1998. Lena passed away during that time, and he married Bessie Emerson who also predeceased him. In 1998, he returned to Otisfield where he built a home on the Powhattan Road. He resided there until three years ago when he chose to move to Casco Village Assisted Living. He was a member of the East Otisfield Free Baptist Church. He enjoyed traveling, being outdoors, fishing, hunting and logging. He also enjoyed telling stories to anyone with a listening ear.

Survivors include his sister, Dorothy Lombard of Otisfield; two granddaughters; two great-grandsons; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents; older sister, Margelia Hamlin; younger brother, Ralph.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 9 at 1 p.m. at the East Otisfield Free Baptist Church with interment in the spring at Elmwood Cemetery. Family and friends may call at Weston-Chandler Funeral Home, 45 Main St., South Paris on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to: Seeds of Peace, 370 Lexington Avenue, Suite 401, New York, N.Y. 10017. Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.westonchandler.com

Jack was born April 6, 1929, in Mercer, son of Levi W. and Agnes (McKinnon) Everett and was a graduate of Fort Fairfield High School. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 478 National Rifle Association and the American Legion. He was the husband of Kay (Kennedy) Everett for 54 years. Everything he did was with courage, strength and pride. He was a proud man, was loved and will be missed by everyone whose life he touched. He served his country in the Maine National Guard and honorably as a Seabee in the U.S Navy during the Korean War. He enjoyed life especially the moments shared with his family, ice skating, hiking, camping, swimming and made sure he shared a great story to emphasize the experience that was surely a lesson learned, always with humor and laughter; he was the master of the one liner. An avid gardener, mushroomer, hunter and fisherman, loved bowling, riding his motorcycle and the Boston Red Sox. He worked for Innes Bros. several years as a Gradall operator becoming one of the best and most in-demand operators in the state of Connecticut. He was the “Jack” of all trades.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Cathy Houle of Summerfield, Fla., Elaine Merced and Lisa Kepler of Naples; a brother, Joseph A. Everett of Kennasaw, Ga.; a sister, Ann Polete of Reno, Nev.; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. 

He was predeceased by his grandson.

A celebration of life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday at Hall Funeral Home, 165 Quaker Ridge Rd., Casco. Online condolences may be left for the family at hallfuneralhomeinc.com

Paul was born in Bridgton, the son of Ernest and Myrtle York. He was a veteran of the Korean War, having served in the Air Force. He graduated from Bridgton High School and completed several courses at the University of Southern Maine. He had worked for Dielectric Communications for 56 years as a RF engineer, retiring this year. He was recently honored for his many years of service. Paul served on the Casco Board of Appeals for many years and helped the Casco Village Church with many projects including the annual flea market. Paul was an avid reader. He loved NASCAR and attending the races at Loudon (N.H.) with his children. Paul loved hunting with his nephews, attending motor cross races and many sports events with his grandchildren. He loved trains and crossed the country several times. Paul was an avid bingo player.

He was predeceased by his parents and two children, a baby girl and Teresa; his brother Chester; and sisters, Gertrude, Helen, Harriett, and Edith.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Barbara; daughters Carol York of Grass Valley, Calif., Kathy Williams of Nevada City, Calif., Beverly Skillings of Hawaii, Melissa Lessard of Waterford and Rebecca Andrews of Windham; his four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his sister Beatrice Howard of Storrs, Conn.; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, Jan 16 at 2 p.m. at the Casco Village Church, Casco. Interment will be in the spring. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Casco Public Library, Casco Village Church or MD Anderson Hospital, Leukemia Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030. Online condolences may be left for the family at hallfuneralhomeinc.com

Laura was born on Oct. 19, 1971 in Portland, a daughter of Lawrence P. Leeman of Portland and Sandra Jean (Burnell) Witham of Falmouth. She grew up in Falmouth, attending local area schools and graduating from Falmouth High School as a member of the graduating class of 1990. Laura married Philip John Libby on June 25, 1994. Knowing that someday they would very much like to start a family, they never imagined that they would soon become part of a rapidly growing club of parents with autistic children. Laura and Phil, blessed with two special needs children, now ages 8 and 9, learned quickly how much they needed each other and became an unstoppable team. Taking every day as it came, celebrating milestones and cherishing hugs, Cooper and Chance Libby couldn’t have had a more devoted, loving mother. She was a member of Mom’s Club in Gorham as well as a member of Autism Awareness. It was Laura that started the autism program in the Gorham Public School system, well before her boys where to attend. Laura had little free time as a full-time mother, but when she had time to herself she loved to go shopping, Wal-Mart in particular. She liked to spend time on Facebook and loved the Red Sox. She was able to attend her first game just last summer, when the Red Sox defeated the Atlanta Braves.

Besides her husband and parents, she is survived by her two children Cooper and Chance Libby of Gorham; her stepmother Sally Leeman of Portland and her stepfather Raymond Witham of Falmouth; her maternal grandmother Ellen D. Burnell of Bridgton, and her paternal grandmother Marion G. Leeman of Freeport; two brothers, Keith P. Leeman of North Yarmouth and Stephen T. Leeman of Cumberland; two sisters, Kelley J. Mason of Cumberland and her identical twin Lisa A. Shaw of Falmouth; as well as several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was also the granddaughter of the late Walter F. Burnell and Daniel D. Leeman.

A memorial visitation was held on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010 at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street, Portland. A memorial service followed at the funeral home at 5 p.m. with Rev. Philip Shearman officiating. Burial will be private and held at a later date. You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with the Libby family by visiting Laura’s guest book at www.mem.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Autism Society, 4340 East West Hwy., Suite 350, Bethesda, MD 20814-3067.

He was born in Waterville, a son of Robert and Theresa Cormier. Robert married Estelle Wicks in 1969. He was in the hobby business since 1985, and most recently co-owned and operated Evolution Hobbies in Casco with his son Sean. Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing, cooking and hanging out with the guys at the clubhouse. His two cats, Chunky and Buddy were always at his side.
Surviving are his wife of 42 years; two sons, Michael of Texas and Sean of Casco; his sister Dorna Cormier-Crean of Connecticut; his brother Keith Cormier of Connecticut; two grandsons; and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be left for the family at hallfuneralhomeinc.com

Robert was born Dec. 7, 1931, in Ayer, Mass., the son of George E. and Sarah (McGrath) Messinger. He was a graduate of Everett High School, class of 1951. Robert served in the Korean War in the United States Air Force. He was a past president of the Boston Chapter of the American Society of Professional Estimators, a Masonic member of the North Reading Lodge A.F. & A.M., and North Reading DeMolay, and a past member of the Union Congregational Church of North Reading, Mass., serving on many committees. Robert was also active in the North Reading Little League. Robert enjoyed traveling, spending time with family, his grandchildren, and his many friends.

He was predeceased by a grandson; a brother, George E. Messinger Jr.; and a sister Rowena Doucette.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Geraldine (Larson) Messinger of Kennebunk; two sons, Craig Messinger of Raymond and Jeffrey Messinger of Phoenix, Ariz.; a sister, Beverly Miller of Lansing, Mich.; one granddaughter, two grandsons and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 8, 2010, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk, with a Masonic service held at 7 p.m. with the North Reading Lodge members. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, at 11 a.m., at the Wells Congregational Church, Post Road, Wells with the Rev. Herbert Henry officiating.

Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk. www.bibberfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Robert’s name can be made to: The Wells Congregational Church, P.O. Box 759, Wells, ME 04090 or to Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, care of Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 U.S. Route One #1, Scarborough, ME 04074.

She was a CNA and CRMA, she put her heart and soul with every patient. She was loved by family and friends. She loved the outdoors, riding her motorcycle, sitting by a fire with her dog, Duchess and her significant other, “Webby.” She will be missed by Webby's daughter, Jennifer, and husband, Mario, and new twin baby girls who thought of her as “Grammy.”

Her best friends, Pam, Donna and Peggy will miss her laughing and telling stories by the fire and bike rides to Laconia, N.H.

She will also be missed by Webby's daughter, Raynor.

Verna was one in a million! We all will miss her deeply.

Live to ride, ride to Freedom.

Born Dec. 19, 1926 in Westbrook to the late Frank I. and Frances E. Robinson, she lived in Westbrook most of her life until meeting her husband, Maurice, and then resided with him in Portland. As a young girl, she developed tuberculosis and was sent away to a sanitarium in Norway, to recover from this life-threatening disease. Shirley graduated from Westbrook High School in 1944 and went on to graduate from cosmetology school. She worked at the Barron Center for 24 years before retiring in 1986. Shirley was a very religious, kind and gentle woman who often went to Mass everyday. She enjoyed exercise class, politics, visiting with family and friends and trips to Ken’s at Pine Port with her husband, her weekly visits with her children and their dogs (Emmet, Henry and Roy).

She was predeceased by her parents and a sister, Elaine Robinson.

She is survived by her loving and caring husband of 24 years, Maurice Colton, Jr. of Portland. She was very proud of her three children that she raised on her own, Mark Mitchell of Barrington, N.H., Terri Gulliver of South Portland and Jay Mitchell of Windham. She is survived by four stepchildren, Maurice Colton III of Matinicus Island, Ronald Colton of Biddeford, Christine Rohman of Portland and Karen Dobransky of Casco; six grandchildren, six step-grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

At Shirley’s request, there will be no visiting hours. Private burial services will be held at the Calvary Cemetery in South Portland. A Memorial Mass will be held at a date to be determined. Arrangements made by the Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland. Memorial donations may be made in Shirley’s memory to: The Gosnell Memorial Hospice, 180 US Route One, #1, Scarborough, ME 04074.

He was born in Weymouth, Mass. on March 16, 1940, the son of William F. and Ruth (Bartlett) Raymond. William co-owed the Paint Pot in Portland with Dan Fitzgerald for several years and was a master of his trade, retiring in 2007. He enjoyed spending his free time cooking, fishing and at his camp. He also enjoyed attending to his spectacular garden. His simplicity and long stories will be missed.

William is predeceased by a brother, Kerry Raymond; and a sister, Ronalyn Tervains.

He is survived by three daughters, Heidi Martin of Casco, Stacey Szulak of Middleborough, Mass. and Laurie Hassell of Cape Cod, Mass.; a son, William F. Raymond IV of Greensboro, N.C.; two brothers, Wayne Raymond of Spring Hill, Fla. and Glen Raymond of New York; several grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

Memorial visitation was held on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010 at Dolby Funeral Chapel, 434 River Road, Windham. A private burial will take place in the spring.

She was born on Nov. 3, 1955, the daughter of Herbert and Avis (Frazer) Ellison. She served in the United States Army and was a member of the Naples/Casco/ Raymond American Legion in Naples and the Eagles Club in Windham.

She is survived by three sisters, Cynthia Fitzgerald of Portland, Victoria Halliday of Orlando, Fla. and Ellen Mitchell of Brownfield; her companion of many years, Gaynor Webb of Denmark; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

No services will be held at her request. Burial will be private.