Obituaries from the week of 07/23/09

He was born March 17, 1934, in Gorham, the son of Roger and Cynthia (Flood) Meserve. He was educated in local schools and graduated from Pennell Institute in Gray in 1952. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1957 and was stationed in Germany during that time. He was a member of Sabbathday Lake Grange for more than 60 years, holding the office of Master for many years. He was also a member of Androscoggin Pomona, State and National Granges. He served as a State Grange Deputy for a number of years. He enjoyed fixing cars, especially Chevys, and that’s what he always drove. He also liked to watch sports and was a big fan of the Red Sox, Celtics, and Patriots.

He is survived by his children, Norma Meserve of Raymond, John of Casco, Susie Faulkner, Carol St. Lawrence, all of Hudson, Jim of Farmingdale, David of Auburn, Roberta Meserve of Raymond, and a step-daughter Marie Brunell of Raymond; his former wife Aldine Meserve of Raymond; siblings, Robert Meserve Sr., Betty Pottle and Everett; 18 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents.

A memorial service will be held at Wilson Funeral Home in Gray on Saturday, July 25, 2009, at 11 a.m., preceeded by a visit with the family hour from 10 to 11 a.m. A gathering will follow for all those wishing to attend at Sabbathday Lake Grange in New Gloucester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fred’s name to the charity of your choice.

She was born in Houlton, Dec. 23, 1931, the daughter of Linton and Marguerite Mills. She graduated from Ricker Classical Institute and received her BS degree in Education from Gorham State Teachers College. She taught in the Standish school system, worked at the University of Southern Maine, and recently retired from the Veteran’s Administration in San Diego, Calif.

She is survived by three sons, Michael Hare and David Hare of Fresno, Calif., James L. Hare of El Dorado Hills, Calif.; one sister, Kathryn Browne of Marco Island, Fla.; three grandchildren including Lucas Hare of Raymond; and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted in Fresno, Calif. on March 3. A committal service was held Saturday, July 18, in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Arrangements by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ctcrawford.com

He was born in Farmington on April 7, 1941, the son of Cleon A. and Velma A. (Smith) Corson. He graduated from Farmington High School in 1960. Donald married Linda Libby on June 30, 1962 in Farmington. He worked all over New England as a union construction laborer, much of which was in Jay building the paper mill. Donald loved the outdoors, enjoying fishing, hunting, NASCAR, collecting antiques (especially bottles), but his favorite collection was of minerals and fossils. He was one of the founding members of the Sandy River Mineral Club. In Auburn, N.Y., he was president of the Cayuaga Mineral Club and was the Youth Leader of the Syracuse Gem and Mineral Society. He even built the home he and his family shared from wood on their own property. The rocks in the handmade stone walls were collected from all over the state.

Donald is survived by his wife of 47 years, Linda; two daughters, Donna Hinkley of Farmington, and Penny Brackett of Farmington; his son, Peter Corson of Farmington; seven grandchildren; a great-grandson; his sister, Mildred MacDonald of Pittston; his brother, Doane Corson of Casco; many nieces and nephews; and his aunt.

He was predeceased by his parents.

There will be a graveside service on Friday, July 24, at 11 a.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Farmington. The Rev. Alan Shumway will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Donald’s memory to Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice, 284 Main St., Wilton, ME 04294. Arrangements are under the direction of Adams-McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Svc. Those wishing to send condolences to the family may do so through the funeral home’s website www.adamsmcfarlane.com using the “contact us” option.

Born July 21, 1930, in Stoneham, he was the son of John D. and Sarah (McKeen) Grover. John married Joan Hobson, June 15, 1953, in West Paris. He worked most of his life for Grover Lumber Co. He enjoyed mowing and caring for his yard. He was a member of the Maine National Guard for three years and the U.S. Marine Corp for two. He was a graduate of Norway High School in 1950.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joan; one daughter, Deidra Brown of Bethel; a grandson and a granddaughter; a brother, Lyndon Grover of North Waterford; two sisters, Harriett Brown of Oxford and Stella Johnson of Beltsville, Md.; along with several nieces and nephews.

John was predeceased by his parents; a daughter, Debra Tripp; and two brothers, Douglas and William Grover, who were killed in World War II.

A graveside service was held Tuesday, July 21, at Hillside Cemetery in Stoneham. Arrangements are under the direction of Oxford Hills Funeral Services, 1037 Main Street, Route 26, Oxford, ME 04270. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com

He was born in Gorham, Maine on May 11, 2009, son of the late John and Ida (Noyes) Brill. In the 1930s, during the depression he moved from Maine to Massachusetts and worked for Athol Table, Temple Stewart, Mason Parker and Heywood Wakefield. In the early 1940s he was hired by Milton Bradley to convert the woodshop for the war effort, where Milton Bradley manufactured over 40,000 gun stocks for M-1 rifles and went on to produce landing gear components for B 25’s. John retired from Milton Bradley in 1976 as Facility Superintendent of the former Park St. and Federal Square plants.

Upon retirement, he continued to enjoy working in his home workshop. John and his wife Ione enjoyed gardening, many motor trips though out New York and New England and most of all, their cottage in Bridgton, Maine, where he enjoyed boating.

John’s wife, Ione F. (Cobb) Brill, passed away on Feb. 14, 2003. He leaves two sons, John R. Brill Jr. and his wife Karen of Westfield, and David G. Brill and his wife Nancy of Westfield; a brother, Gordon Brill of Bridgton, Maine; six grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. John was predeceased by a brother, Ralph Brill.

A graveside service was held Friday, July 17, 2009 in Middle Farms Cemetery in Westfield. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in John’s memory be made to the Noble VNA and Hospice, 77 Mill St., Westfield, MA, 01085 or to Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104. firtionadams.com

He was born in Mineola, Long Island, N.Y., on Dec. 14, 1953, the son of the late Claire and Joseph Julien. John spent most of his adult life at Fox Hollow Cabins in Naples. John’s great love in life was music. John was a fan of such artists as Tom Petty and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. John was blessed with the deep and soulful voice of a storyteller, and he himself was a musician and songwriter.

John leaves behind his dear companions, Sam and Bunny; as well as family and many friends.

A celebration of John’s life was held on Friday, July 17, 2009, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bridgton. Interment was in the family lot at Forest Hills Annex Cemetery, Kansas Road, Bridgton. Arrangements by Raymond-Wentworth Funeral Home, 8 Elm St., Bridgton. Online condolences may be left at www.andrewsgreenleaf.com

She was predeceased by her husband Frank L. Taylor.

She is survived by her sisters Marceline Roberts, Nelwyn Smith and Glenda Roberts. She is also survived by a niece and nephew, and many beloved friends. She will be greatly missed by all.

Born April 1, 1918, in New Haven, Conn., Rita was the daughter of Anne Howley and Wallace Wasson. Rita graduated from Milford High School and the Weylister Secretarial School for Girls. She worked as a secretary for Tilo Roofing Company, where she met her husband, Douglas Charles Woolley. After her marriage, she worked for an accounting firm in Trumbull, Conn.

Rita loved spending time with her family at her Woods Pond camp in Bridgton. She also enjoyed reading, gardening and was active in community service wherever she lived. While in Bridgton, she was a member of the Literary and Garden clubs, The Bridgton Historical Society and the Lazarus Ministry at St. Joseph Church. Rita touched the lives and hearts of all who knew her and was known for her kindness, sharp wit and humor.

Her husband Douglas Charles Woolley predeceased her in 1980. She is also predeceased by her sisters Adeline Wasson and Beatrice Healy, and brother Edward Wasson.

Rita is survived by her sons Douglas Charles Woolley and Brandon Wallace Woolley; her four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and friends.

Visiting hours were held at the Raymond-Wentworth Funeral Home, 8 Elm St., Bridgton on Monday, July 20. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Tuesday with the Rev. Brian Blanchette officiating. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.andrewsgreeneleaf.com

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, July 24, 2009, at Edes Falls Cemetery, Edes Falls Road, Naples. Arrangements are by Dolby Funeral Chapel, Windham.

She was born in Norway, Oct. 11, 1936, the daughter of Theodore and Leah Bessey Whitman. She graduated from Norway High School. She had been employed at B.E. Cole shoe shop and had been a seamstress, making draperies and slip covers at Bolster’s Decorating and the Norway Color Center. She was an artist, involved with the Matolcsy Art Center. She enjoyed woodworking, crafts, genealogy and gardening. She was a rock hound. She married Kenneth C. Danico. He passed away in 1987.

She is survived by her son, Mark of Waterford; her daughter, Kellie of Norway; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, July 24, at 10 a.m. at Pike’s Hill Cemetery in Norway. Remembrance donations may be made to the Matolcsy Art Center, 480 Main St., Norway, ME 04268. Arrangements are under the direction of Weston-Chandler Funeral Home, 45 Main St., South Paris. Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.westonchandler.com