Obituaries from the week of 03/19/09

She was born in Boothbay Harbor, Sept. 30, 1939, the daughter of Robert C. Rogers and Nina Mae (Hatch) Rogers. She attended Boothbay Harbor High School and received her degree at the University of Maine at Orono. Mary spent most of her career working to improve the lives of the people of the Saint John Valley, Aroostook County and the State of Maine. After leaving college, she worked as a social worker in Augusta. While there, she met a young lawyer, Joel Leblanc, who would soon become her husband. She was, for 13 years, the field representative for Senator George J. Mitchell in Presque Isle, serving tirelessly and with honor the people of all Aroostook County. She also held positions with the Maine State Board of Education, the United States Census, working for the University of Maine at Fort Kent, the Loring Redevelopment Authority, and the Maine Technical College system. She was active in Democratic politics, helping to elect local, state and national candidates and was instrumental in arranging for First Lady Rosalynn Carter to visit Madawaska in the only known visit of a sitting First Lady to the Saint John Valley. She was an avid community organizer and supporter of development in Northern Maine, and was among the first women offered invitation into the Kiwanis Club of Presque Isle and the first female President of that organization. When Presque Isle hosted the Maine State Democratic convention, she proudly served as the honorary chairperson for the Convention and welcomed Democrats from around the state to her corner of Maine. She lived throughout the state of Maine during her life, spending extended time in Boothbay Harbor, Orono, Augusta, Hallowell, Madawaska, Presque Isle, Easton, Gardiner and Portland. She retired in 2005 to Center Conway, N.H., moving to be within minutes of her beloved daughters and grandchildren. She appeared as an extra in the film “Carousel,” which was filmed in Boothbay Harbor. She loved to play golf, and she was an avid quilt maker (and those she left behind will cherish those mementos). Her strength of character was evident as a single mother raising five children when her husband passed away. She was predeceased by her husband, Joel R. Leblanc in 1980.

She is survived by her children, Peter Leblanc of Vancouver, British Columbia, (Canada), Susan (Leblanc) Perry of Chatham, N.H., Daniel Leblanc of Geneva, Switzerland, Elizabeth (Leblanc) Charles of Fryeburg, and Andrew Leblanc of Washington, DC; 10 grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visiting hours were held at the Wood Funeral Home, Fryeburg, Wednesday,March 18. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, March 19, at 11 a.m. at the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Fryeburg. Interment will be with her beloved husband Joel in Madawaska in the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to: The George J. Mitchell Scholarship Research Institute, Mitchell Institute, 22 Monument Square, Suite 200, Portland, ME 04101.

He was born in Adams, Mass., on April 1, 1940, the son of Frank and Dorothy Irish Murray. As a young man, he became well known as a classical pianist, learning to read music from his talented grandmother, Grace Dana Irish. He studied classical music, under the guidance of Prof. Frederick Tillotson of Bowdoin College. Young people loved to hear him play the “Flight of the Bumblebee.” He would impress friends and family with playing “The Minute Waltz” in less than one minute. When he was about 13 years old, he would visit Bert Cote’s music store and play classical music on the piano in the store window. He attended Auburn schools, lastly graduating from Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield. He met and married Linda Swan while attending Gorham State College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in education in 1970. He was especially proud of his service in the U.S. Marine Corps. He acquired the highest possible rating with firearms, that of lifetime master and enjoyed teaching weaponry at Annapolis, Md. Other highlights of his service are that he served as a chaplain’s assistant in Japan and Okinawa, gained two years of college through evening courses and testing, ran a military library at a training center, corrected lectures and speeches for officer presentations and supported officer shows by playing piano accompaniments. After the Marine Corps, he taught basic education courses for several years at the Poland Spring Job Corps and taught English and reading at Montello Junior High School. He left the educational field to work in several different pursuits. In later years, he worked at the Pineland Center in Pownal. Always the professional, he was devoted to giving the kindest of treatment to those in his care. He treated one of his “kids” to a once-in-a-lifetime fishing trip to Moosehead. Once he returned to Maine from far away travels, he never cared to leave the state of Maine, which he loved. He learned to shoot, hunt and fish from one of the best, his grandfather, Earland Irish. He was reverent about his grandfather’s skills, owing his exceptional marksmanship skill with the rifle to Gramps. He eventually lost interest in hunting wildlife, preferring to admire nature with a walk in the woods and focusing on his interest playing tournament bridge with Auburn’s best players, whose company he thoroughly enjoyed. But, fishing was always his first love, and he spent much time at several of the northern Maine lakes, especially Moosehead, knowing all the best fishing holes and sharing this pastime with his family and fishing friends, Karl and Lorraine Martin.

He is survived by his mother, Dorothy Murray of Auburn; a son, Dana of Texas; sister, Bonnie Parsons of Waterford; a grandson; three nieces and two nephews.

He was predeceased by his father, Frank W. Murray; and his brother, Garth S. Murray.

Visitation and a memorial service were held Saturday, March 14, at Fortin Funeral Home in Auburn. Graveside services will be held in May at the Mount Auburn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be sent to the High Street Congregational Church, Auburn, ME 04210; the Hospice House (AHCH), 236 Stetson Road, Auburn, ME 04210; or Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, 15 Strawberry Ave., P.O. Box 819, Lewiston, ME 04243-0819.

He was born on Sept. 15, 1983 in Winchester, Mass., the son of Paul and Michelle (Fletcher) Ligor. Paul graduated with high honors from Fryeburg Academy, in 2002. During his high school years, he was the captain of the varsity soccer team. He was also the student representative on the Academy’s Judiciary Board. Paul graduated from Pennsylvania State University at State College in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the Smeal College of Business. He was actively working on plans to obtain his master’s degree at Boston College. Paul started his career with State Street Corporation soon after graduation, and was working for J.P. Morgan Chase as a Senior Tax Analyst, at the time of his passing. He was an avid Penn. State Football fan, a Boston Celtics season ticket holder, and enjoyed attending Boston Red Sox games. He looked forward each year to organizing and participating in a fantasy football league with his Penn State buddies, and playing in a fantasy baseball league with his Dad. Paul loved playing golf, especially with his father, as well as basketball, tennis, billiards and street hockey with friends and family. He also was a movie, music and video game enthusiast. Paul was extremely close to his family and enjoyed spending time in Maine with them at every opportunity throughout the year. He also loved to travel and wanted to visit Italy with his family in the near future.

He is survived by his parents; his sister, Jenna Ligor; his grandparents Mary Hiller of Rockport, Barbara Fletcher of Magnolia, Mass., and Paul A. Ligor of Hyannis, Mass.

Relatives and friends are respectively invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, March 20 from 6 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, March 21 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Jones, Rich and Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street, Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon on Saturday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 673 Stevens Avenue, Portland.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Paul D. Ligor Memorial Scholarship Fund, Penn State, One Old Main, University Park, PA 16801.

You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with the Ligor family by visiting Paul’s guest book at www.mem.com

She came to Gulfport as a winter resident in 1976 and spent her summers in Raymond. She was very active in music circles, both here and in Maine directing choirs and choruses in both places. She taught music in public schools in Maine and Massachusetts for 25 years and also worked for the Maine Department of Health and Welfare. She was an avid sportswoman and was chosen for the All Tournament Basketball team for the state of Maine twice. Later, she became recognized as a nationally-rated basketball official being called on to officiate many championship games. She was outstanding in the field of track, holding state records for the 50-yard dash, standing broad jump and the 60-yard low hurdles sprint. These records qualified her for the Olympics but because of a technical error beyond her control she had to forgo the honor. She was a music lover and played the string bass in orchestras, the horn and trumpet in bands and sang in various choruses. She was a member of the Boston Choral Society and the Portland Community Chorus. For many years, she was treasurer of the Maine branch of Music Educator’s National Conference. She attended schools in Fairfield, and the Eastern Music Camp in Sidney. She graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington, the University of Maine at Orono and the American Institute of Normal Methods at Auburndale, Mass. She held life memberships in the Gulfport, Fla., Fairfield, and Casco-Raymond Historical Societies.

She is survived by nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

A memorial service will be held at Westminster Shores, 125 56th Ave S., in St. Petersburg, Fla., on March 20, at 1 p.m.

She was born in Andover, New Brunswick, Canada on Feb. 22, 1930, the daughter of Claude and Alice Lane Knapp. She moved to Gorham and was a 1948 graduate of Gorham High School. Dot attended business school in Portland and spent the later part of her life in banking retiring from Coastal Bank in Brunswick. She also worked at a candle shop and the Westbrook Hospital. Dot married James T. Emmertz in 1950, and they were married for 50 years. She was a member of the Pownal School Board, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for over 40 years, a member and past president of the Pride’s Corner Garden Club and was very active in church activities and with the annual Christmas Fair at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church in Windham. Dot enjoyed her camp in Island Falls, cooking, fishing, gardening, church, and her many friends and family. She was a strong, loving woman and an inspiration to all who knew her.

She was predeceased by her parents; and her husband.

Survivors include her two sons, Thomas James Emmertz of Gray and Andrew Scott Emmertz of Falmouth; three daughters, Kathleen M. Sweet of Naples, Elizabeth A. Uminski of Falmouth and Barbara L. Hunt of Naples; a sister, Edith M. McCormick of Portland; four grandsons and five granddaughters; as well as many nieces, nephews; step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

There will be no visiting hours. A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 20, at 11 a.m., at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, 40 Windham Center Road, Windham. Arrangements by Dolby Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the church.

She was the wife of Andrew Proto.

Born in Bridgton, she was the daughter of June Adams and the late Clarence Batchelder. Becky graduated from Fryeburg Academy. She enjoyed her job as an in-home nurse’s aide. She was an active member of Hosanna Christian Fellowship Church and loved camping, fishing, crafts, trips to the beach, animals, flowers and, most importantly, spending time with family and friends.

Surviving besides her husband and her mother June is stepfather Ernest Blais, along with daughters Sasha and Micaela, and stepchildren Matt and Brittany; a brother, Robbie Batchelder; and a stepbrother, Chris Blais.

A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, March 14, 2009 from Hosanna Christian Fellowship Church, 29 Green Acre Road, Lititz, Pa. Arrangements by Dewald Funeral & Cremation Services in Quarryville, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your local Breast Cancer Research Fund.

Fred believed that you should live life to the fullest. An avid gardener and sportsman, he loved showing off his vegetable gardens, training his hunting dogs and teaching anyone about the outdoors. He loved to hunt and trap but fishing was his passion and he became a registered fishing guide. At the time of his illness he was employed at Cabelas in Scarborough.

Besides his wife of 21 years, Elizabeth Harmon, Fred is survived by his father Francis of Bridgton; brothers Warren of Sweden, Scott of Bridgton, Francis of Naples; sisters Deborah Noble of Bridgton and Susan Cushman of Boca Florida; son Don Noble of Westbrook; daughters Aimee Rickett of Bridgton, Sarah Noble of Bridgton and Melinda Noble of Waterford; grandsons Tyler Bretton and Nicholas Allen; and granddaughters Taylor and Amber Ricket and Abigail Guilford.

At Fred’s request there will be no funeral but a memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Fred’s name to a charity of your choice. Arrangements are by Hall Funeral Home, Casco.

She was born in Otisfield, on Jan. 15, 1920, raised by her mother Ida M. Lord Adams and her stepfather, Leon Adams. She was educated in the local schools in Otisfield and Bridgton. Fanny worked in the local area and was a homemaker for most of her life. She lived in Bridgton during her early marriage, but always considered Harrison her home. She enjoyed snowmobiling with her husband of 40 years, Ronell, who died in 1981. Fanny recently celebrated her 89th birthday with family and friends. Spending time with family and friends was very important to Fanny. She especially enjoyed playing cards and watching game shows. She was known for her incredible memory, including her memory of local history. Fanny was an active member of the Ronald G. St. John V.F.W. Post #9328 Ladies Auxiliary for many years where she served as historian.

Survivors are her children, Linda Plante of Chesterland, Ohio; Kathleen Blanchard of Harrison and Hugh Fleck of Anchorage, Alaska; one sister, Evelyn Kimball of Bridgton; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother George Adams and sister Caroline Graham.

Services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald G. St. John Ladies Auxiliary #9328 Scholarship Fund, c/o Linda Moynihan, treasurer, 27 Mutiny Brook Road, Waterford, ME 04088. Arrangements by Raymond-Wentworth Funeral Home, 8 Elm Street, Bridgton. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.andrewsgreenleaf.com

She had been a teacher for 38 years, three years in Massachusetts and 35 years in Maine. She taught at the Fox school and the Harrison school before her retirement in 2006. She continued to teach as an ongoing substitute. She loved teaching, remembering her students for many years after — charting their progress as they grew up. She married Charles LaBay on June 26, 1971. She loved traveling and all the fun memories she shared with her family. She liked comfortable LL Bean clothes, jeans, sweatshirts and sensible shoes, “old lady, school teacher shoes.” She enjoyed reading and shopping, especially going to the Christmas Tree Shop, always picking up gifts for friends and family she knew they couldn’t live without. Gifts from Lois, often from local craft fairs, always brought a smile and laugh. She loved to go to the Big E in Massachusetts every year, the Buckfield Theater, the Portland Symphony and OOMPAH. She was a supporter of her community and local merchants. She loved her home on Island Pond and spending time with her friends and family. She loved animals and rescued several, including her cats, Freeto and Bronson. She referred to everyone as “my friend.” Trish’s friends were her adopted sons and daughters. She is survived by her husband of Harrison; her daughter and best friend, Trish of Harrison; and several cousins; numerous nieces and nephews; and her cats, Freeto and Bronson.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, March 21 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bridgton with interment in the spring at Riverside Annex Cemetery in South Paris. Family and friends may attend visiting hours on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Weston-Chandler Funeral Home 45 Main St., South Paris. Remembrance donations may be made to Harvest Hills Animal Shelter, 1389 Bridgton Rd., Fryeburg, ME 04037, or the Lois LaBay Memorial Scholarship, Attn: Maggie Craig, c/o SAD #17 District Office, 1570 Main Street, Oxford, ME 04270. Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.westonchandler.com

Frank spent his youthful years in the Lakes Region skiing at Pleasant Mountain in the winter and water skiing on Highland Lake in the summer. His competitive spirit afforded him many victories in both sports over the years. During this time, he developed a love of golf, highlighted by his eight-year-old hole-in-one, on the fourth hole at Bridgton Highlands Country Club. Golf continued to be a passion throughout his life, sharing camaraderie on the links at Willowdale Country Club. Frank was employed for many successful years at Casco Northern Bank.

Gatherings with family and friends often included guitar music, childhood stories, card games, darts, and holding court with his dry sense of humor. His life blossomed with his marriage to Terry Shean Skillin and the arrival of his beloved sons Matthew and Frederick. Attendance at the boys’ sporting events, visits to the golf course, and hiking trips to Mount Washington are among many special times they shared. He traveled as far as Oregon to witness his nephew as part of the first team from Maine to win the American Legion National Baseball Championship, and went to great lengths to support the accomplishments of not only his sons but all of his nieces and nephews. Frank’s unpredictability and spirited nature kept all who loved him on their toes.

More recently, the birth of his grandchildren sparked a new sense of pride and joy. His gift of gab won Frank many friends at the Eagles Club in Portland where he was an active member and was employed for the last several years. After a life well lived, Frank will be missed by all whose paths he crossed.

Frank was predeceased by his parents, Fred and Ann and his sister Ann Marie Skillin Boxer. He is survived by his son Matthew Richard Skillin and wife Danielle Reali Skillin; son Frederick Shean Skillin; wife Terry Shean Skillin; sister Jody Skillin Taylor, her husband Byron and daughters Amy and Jocelyn; brother Fred Skillin, his wife Donna and their children Jason, Mandy, and Jeff; brother-in-law Jeffrey Boxer and daughter Kara Boxer Mathisen; his grandchildren Natalie Ann and Connor Matthew Skillin.

A Memorial Visitation was held on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street, Portland.

A Memorial Mass was held on Monday, March 16, 2009, at St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, 492 Ocean Ave., Portland. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Frank’s memory can be sent to: The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital c/o Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland, Maine, 04102.