Obituaries from the week of 02/11/10

Eleanor was born in 1917 in Sandy Creek, near Bridgton, and moved to Westbrook where she graduated from Westbrook High School in 1935 and Gorham Normal School in 1938. She taught primary grades at Pride’s Corner School in Westbrook for three years before marrying John F. Brush at Warren Congregational Church in Cumberland Mills (Westbrook) in 1939. She and John lived in Saco and Gorham where John taught school, and lived in Chicago and Memphis during JohnÕs naval deployment in World War II. They later lived for two years in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he served as a lieutenant in the Navy during the Korean War, before moving to Brunswick in 1954. In Puerto Rico and also in Brunswick, she was a Girl Scout leader for many years. Eleanor was an active member of First Parish Congregational Church, where she taught Sunday School, served two terms as a deaconess, and was on the flower committee for many years. In addition, she volunteered at the Regional Memorial Hospital and was a substitute teacher in the Brunswick Schools until the early 1960s. All who knew her will remember her as a dedicated wife and mother, whose hospitality and kindness will long be remembered.

Eleanor is survived by a sister, Jean Crockett of Wallingford, Conn.; a brother, Robert Littlefield of Cumberland; three children, Jean Hill of Port Charlotte, Fla., Carol Brush of Harpswell and Jon Brush of Delaware, Ohio; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband John, in 1994.

A funeral service was held on Friday, Feb. 5 at the First Parish Church, Brunswick, with the Rev. Mary Baard officiating. Condolences can be expressed at www.brackettfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: AlzheimerÕs Association of Maine, 170 U.S. Route 1, Suite 250, Falmouth, ME 04105.

Donna was born in Portland, on July 11, 1954, of Irish and Czechoslovakian descent. She graduated from Portland High School, and she went on to become a full-time mother and homemaker. Donna was unconditionally devoted to her family and children, Kristal Lynn Vargo-Ward of Raymond, and Erica Ann Vargo of Gray. She cherished the seasons and celebrated every holiday to its fullest extent. She loved to bake, decorate, listen to music, and dance. Her spirit radiated with a gentle, kind, humbling beauty and she always gave selflessly to those in need. Donna spent 20 years at Hannaford Corporation as a Retail Service Associate and was adored by her patrons for her caring smile. Donna resided with her partner and best friend, Bradley Marean at their home, Sunset Farm, in Standish. Always an outdoor gal, Donna loved to fish, to take long walks in the fields, to watch the snow fall, and listen to the rain splash against the barn rooftop. She was a creative, poetic, non-materialistic woman who never wanted more than for her two girls to be happy.

Donna was a true lady who loved girlish pretty things Ñ she will always be remembered for her kindness, grace, and beauty.

She is survived by parents, Joseph and Barbara Vargo of Portland; sisters Cheryl Vargo and Margaret Malek; brother Joseph Vargo Jr.; and a granddaughter.

Visiting hours were held on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010, at the Dolby Funeral Chapel, 434 River Rd., Windham. A funeral service was held on Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at the chapel. Interment will be in the spring at Dow CornerÕs Cemetery, Standish. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations for their extraordinary care to: The Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, care of Hospice of Southern Maine, attention Development, 180 U.S. Route One, #1 Scarborough, ME 04074.

She was born Sept. 14, 1921, in Westbrook, the daughter of Leslie Charles Leighton and Helen Chaffey Leighton. Mary had worked at the Maine Medical Center in Portland as a unit clerk for over 25 years. She was a former president of the VFW Auxiliary in Portland and had been active in the Portland Lyric Theatre doing sewing and costuming for many years. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting but gardening was her passion.

Mary is survived by one son, Eric Timm of Boca Raton, Fla.; one daughter, Lou-Ann Murray of Bridgton; and one granddaughter.

She was predeceased by her first husband, Vernon E. Timm; her second husband, Ivan Quimby; and three brothers, Dr. Dwight Leighton, Neil Leighton and Philip Leighton.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.Andrewsgreenleaf.com. Arrangements by Raymond-Wentworth Funeral Home, 8 Elm St., Bridgton. Memorials in her memory are requested to: The American Cancer Society, 1 Main St., Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086.

He was born on July 19, 1918, in Florida, N.Y., the son of Chauncy and Verna (Helenbeck) Whitney. He grew up on Quaker Ridge Road and graduated from South Casco High School. Elmer was a farmer, inventor, mechanical engineer and businessman. He love hard work and had a great sense of humor. He loved taking people out to restaurants, loved church, especially with Don Fowler on HackerÕs Hill. He loved to travel and had a long and wonderful life.

He was predeceased by two sons, Owen L. Whitney and Ervin E. Whitney.

He is survived by his wife Helen Viola; son Ronald Whitney; daughters Patricia Davis and Crystal (Cary) DePaolo; brother Holis Whitney; sister Sylvia Hansen of Windham; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial on HackerÕs Hill wisll be held in early summer.

He was born in Dresden in 1924, a son of Guy and Myra Learned. He attended schools in Hamilton, Mass., moving to Salisbury, Mass. with his parents. He worked with his father for many years logging in the woods with workhorses. He was a carpenter for many years. He was a foreman for Seacoast in Hampton, N.H. and for Men for Seacoast in North Berwick. When he retired, he enjoyed showing, giving hayrides and parades with his wife and their Belgian draft horses. He, along with his family, founded the Learned Apple Pie Stand at Topsfield Farm in 1981. He worked the stand with his family until moving to Bridgton in 2000. He built his dream home with his wife atop of a mountain overlooking Mt. Washington. At the age of 85, he was still splitting his own firewood. He will be remembered for his smile. He was the most engaging person and would always have a joke or just a kind word for everyone he met.

He is survived by his wife, Arlene of Bridgton; sons, Timothy Learned of Salisbury, Mass. and Thomas Learned of Poland; a daughter, Jody Perley of Kennebunk; four stepchildren, Richard Witmer of Manchester, N.H., Michael Witmer of Portsmouth, N.H., Cindy Olson of Salisbury, Mass. and Kelly Tascono of Deerfield, N.H.; 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be held this Sunday, Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. at his home in Bridgton. Donations in ShirleyÕs memory can be made to the American Cancer Society.

She was born Feb. 16, 1935, the 12th of 13 children born to Alice (Day) and Claude Ray Harrington. Dorothy was educated in the Portland schools and worked in the Portland area until her marriage to Roy Moody in 1967. Dorothy and Roy moved to Augusta and subsequently to Readfield. During this time, Dorothy was employed by the Hazzard Shoe Company in Augusta. Upon their retirement, Dorothy and her husband moved to Kingman where they enjoyed many years of hunting, fishing, and gardening. After RoyÕs passing, Dorothy made a series of moves that brought her to the South Paris area, where she was residing at the time of her death. Dorothy enjoyed her pets, the outdoors, fishing, socializing with her family and friends, knitting, and television. She was known for her feisty spirit and will be sorely missed.

Dorothy is survived by her sister, Dellma Bingaman of London, Ohio; her twin brother, Donald Harrington of Bridgton, and her younger brother John Harrington, also of Bridgton; as well as many nieces and nephews and their families.

Interment will be in Kingman. There will be a memorial service at the gravesite in the spring. For an online guestbook, please visit www.clayfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of Clay Funeral Home, 7 Lee Rd., Lincoln. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

He was born in Portland on Feb. 27, 1930, son of James L. and Margaret C. (Pettingill) Beecher. He was educated at St. PatrickÕs Parish School and Cheverus High School, and then joined the Merchant Marine. He worked as a merchant seaman from 1946-51 until he was drafted to serve in the Army during the Korean War (1951-53) rising to the rank of sergeant first class. Following the war, he returned to Portland and began attending Portland University under the G.I. Bill while working full-time at S.D. Warren. He married Winnifred M. Joy on Nov. 17, 1956 and they made their home in Portland. After graduating from college in 1959, he began working for Fairchild Semiconductor in 1964, retiring in 1997. He devoted himself to the care of his wife who was a resident of the Barron Center until her death in 2003. In his retirement, he relocated to his home on Brandy Pond in Naples. Robert was a life-long communicant of St. PatrickÕs Church in Portland and served as a Eucharistic minister. He volunteered at Merrill Auditorium and the Portland Harbor Museum, and served on the patient advisory board at The Barron Center. Over many years, he enjoyed food and friends at ChuteÕs, Black Bear Cafe and BrayÕs Brew Pub. He also enjoyed traveling, especially to Ireland, which he visited several times.

He is survived by four children; sons Joseph of Naples and Robert of Conway, N.H.; daughters Kathleen of Naples and Jane Russo of Saco; six grandchildren and three step-grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, Feb. 15, 2010, at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Prayers will be recited 10:15 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 16, at the funeral home, followed by an 11 a.m. Mass of Christian burial at St. PatrickÕs Church, 1342 Congress Street, Portland. Burial will follow at Old Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Online condolences may be expressed at info@ctcrawford.com. Memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, 495 Old Connecticut Path, Suite 220, Framingham, MA 01701.

He was born in Woolwich on June 19, 1927, the son of Bernard and Beatrice Browne Bailey. He married Irene M. Libby, with whom he made his home in Brunswick for many years. Mrs. Libby died in 2006 after 36 years of marriage. At the young age of 16, he volunteered as a spotter for the Army Air Forces Aircraft Warning Services. Hollis joined the service in October 1945 and served in the infantry, 4th Armored Division, 25 Cavalry, Constabulary, Germany. He was a Corporal with the MP Headquarters Troop, where he transported troops as well as rations and oil. He also drove officers which presented him the opportunity to witness Herman Gehring testify at the Nuremberg Trial. Hollis was honorably discharged from service in July 1947. After returning home and working several small jobs, he worked as an independent grader for the State Highway Department. He later became employed by the State Highway Maintenance Crew, where he eventually retired as foreman in 1984 after 33 years of faithful service. After retirement he owned and operated H & J Tire Shed with his son John until 2004. Both Irene and Hollis enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and snowmobiling at their camp in Milo on Boyd Lake. They were avid CBÕers and belonged to the local CB club KBA 2820. They also enjoyed playing cards, marbles, and had bowled in the Brunswick Bowling League. In retirement, the couple toured the states from Maine to Florida and ÒalmostÓ to California on either their Harley or in their van. Hollis belonged to the American Legion No. 202, Topsham, and the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine.

He was predeceased by his sisters Catherine and Maxine, and his brothers, John and Bud.

He is survived by his son John S. of Raymond; his sister Linda Ganglfinger; cousins; nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.

Friends and family can visit from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010, at the Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick. A funeral service will follow at 10 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home with the Rev. Ronald McLaughlin officiating. For those unable to attend a guest book and a video tribute are available at www.brackettfuneralhome.com. Memorial contributions can be made to the charity of oneÕs choice.

Stan was born in Standish on Aug. 17, 1921, the son of Arthur and Bernadine (Shaw) Fernald. He grew up in the Sebago area where he attended schools. Stan was a life-long Teamster and retired from the Boston-Maine Trucking Company in 1983. He continued his Teamster involvement as retiree president of the local union until his death. He enjoyed bowling and continued to bowl with his friends at the Big 20 in Scarborough every Tuesday morning until last fall. He was also an avid Red Sox fan and rarely missed a televised game. Stan loved to spend time with his family and friends and he hosted many poker games on Friday nights.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by sisters and brothers, Pauline, Brendan, Florence and Arthur.

He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Nancy Hascall Smith Fernald; children, Stanley C. Fernald Jr., of North Fort Myers, Fla., Suzanne (Fernald) McDougall of Westbrook, Pamela (Smith) Andrews of Windham, Stephen Smith of Yarmouth, Dianne (Smith) McNeel of Westbrook, Deborah (Smith) Lowe of Portland and Darrell Smith of Lewiston; many loving grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren.

There will be no calling hours. A graveside memorial service will be held in the spring. Arrangements are by Lindquist Funeral Home, Yarmouth. Donations may be made to: Yarmouth Fire & Rescue, 176 North Rd., Yarmouth, ME 04096.

She was born in Milton, N.H., on Dec. 1, 1912, the daughter of Ralph and Elva Gowen Webster and attended local schools. She graduated high school in 1930 from Pennel Institute in Gray. She worked for several years at the Kezar Falls Woolen Mill, and also worked several years at the South Hiram Post Office as a clerk. Above all, she was a devoted mother and homemaker her entire life. She was a member of the Pocahontas Club which was the Redman LodgeÕs WomenÕs Auxiliary in Kezar Falls, and also a member of Kezar Falls Senior Citizens. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, rug hooking, crossword puzzles, and reading. She will be sadly missed by her loving family and all who knew her.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her devoted husband, Keith Leavitt; a son, Robert Leavitt; one grandson; and one great-grandson.

Surviving are two daughters, Carol Anderson of West Baldwin and Patricia Stearns of Lovell; four sons, Gardner Leavitt of Porter, David Leavitt of Porter, James Leavitt of Kezar Falls and John Leavitt of Kezar Falls; and many loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Her private burial will be in the spring. Arrangements are by Watson, Neal & York Funeral Home, Cornish.

Donations in her name may be made to: The Brian Leavitt Scholarship Fund, care of SAD 55 Supt. of Schools, 137 South Hiram Rd., Hiram, ME 04041.