Obituaries from the week of 09/10/09

Bruce was born July 28, 1939 in Portland, the son of Selvino and Belle (Walker) DiPietrantonio. He attended schools in Portland and Bridgton, where the family moved to in 1955. He was a graduate of the class of 1957 from Bridgton High School. Upon graduating, Bruce joined the US Army and became a MP career soldier, serving two tours of duty in Vietnam. After retiring from active duty, Bruce worked at JAYCOR in Alexandria, Virginia as part of their security team, retiring in 2003. In his retirement, Bruce found great joy in gardening.

Bruce married the love of his life, Patricia (Hartford) in 1959. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Venice on June 23. They both loved to travel and enjoyed their vacation home in Key West for many years. They traveled to Italy so Bruce could visit Lettomanoppello, the town where his grandparents came from. The both loved Venice and were looking forward to again spending time there. He loved his Italian heritage.

Bruce was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Gary DiPietrantonio. He is survived by his wife, Patricia of Silver Springs, Maryland; daughter Debra and her husband Steve of Delaware; son Wayne and his wife Lisa of Maryland; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bruce is also survived by his brother, Dr. Peter J. DiPietrantonio and his wife, Patricia A., and nieces and nephew of Freeport; several cousins and two aunts.

A memorial service was held on June 7 in Silver Spring, Maryland. Bruce loved Maine, especially the islands in Casco Bay where he spent a lot of time growing up. He proudly displayed two bumper stickers on his truck, “Born in Maine, living in exile,” and the Italian flag.

Ellie is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Nancy Kilpatrick Eshleman and Benjamin Eshleman of Corpus Christi, Texas and Center Lovell, Maine;  stepdaughter Barbara Rambin Wood of Savannah, Georgia;  stepsons J. Howard Rambin III of Houston, Texas,  Harry Day of Stamford, Connecticut, and Jerrold Day of Middle Haddam, Connecticut; twelve grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  

Born June 23, 1918 in Westwood, New Jersey, Ellie was the daughter of the late Gifford and Augusta Ely. She was married to Dr. Harold C. Kilpatrick for 42 years until his death in 1979, and subsequently to J. Howard Rambin Jr. for 22 years until his passing in 2005. She was also predeceased by her children Sally and Donald, and by her sister Erma Ely Tietgen, and brother Gifford Ely.

Ellie graduated from Columbia University’s School of Dental Hygiene and worked at a laboratory there, where she met Dr. Kilpatrick.  Following their marriage, they moved to Yonkers, New York and then to New Canaan, where she assisted in her husband’s dentistry practice.

Ellie was an avid golfer, having been tutored by the famed Byron Nelson for several years as a teenager. She traveled widely to pursue her passionate love of the sport on some of the world’s best courses. She was a longtime member of the New Canaan Country Club where she was a three-time Club Champion, and she also belonged to John’s Island and Bent Pine Golf Clubs in Vero Beach. 

As a member of the Women’s Westchester and Fairfield Golf Associations since 1944, Ellie was Senior Champion five times and earned honorary membership status in 2004. She was a member of the United States Senior Women’s Golf Association, which made her an honorary member in 2002, and also belonged to the Women’s Tri-County Golf Association.  
Ellie was also an avid bridge player and enjoyed playing with her friends in both New Canaan and Vero Beach.

Ellie worked tirelessly for many years as a volunteer at the Tambourine Shop, a thrift store in Vero Beach. In New Canaan, she volunteered for Meals on Wheels, and was an active member of the Congregational Church.

A memorial service will be held Friday, September 11, 2009 at 2 p.m., at the Congregational Church in New Canaan. To celebrate Ellie’s life, her golfing friends are invited to wear their favorite straw hats to the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mid-Fairfield Hospice, PO Box 489, Wilton, CT 06897.

She was born in Mansfield, Mass., Feb. 7, 1920, the daughter of John Henry and Grace E. McPherson Booth. She graduated from high school in Everett, Mass., in 1938, and attended Malden Commercial School. She married George Curtis Raymond in 1941. They moved to Maine in 1954. She had been employed at Robinson Manufacturing as a “spinner,” mill worker for 28 years retiring in 1985. She also worked as a waitress at the Country Way restaurant in Norway and Marois restaurant in Lewiston. She enjoyed spending quality time with her very large family.
She is survived by her children, Elaine A. Smith of Oxford, Curtis J. Raymond of Auburn, Gerald R. (Jerry) Raymond of South Paris, John Raymond of Spring, Texas, George C. Raymond Jr. of Harrison and Arlene M. Raymond of South Paris; 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband in 1975; and a grandson.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, Sept. 11, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Oxford, followed by a reception at the home of Norman and Tammy DuBois, Longview Drive, Oxford. A celebration of life service will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Oxford on Friday at 6 p.m. Family and friends may call at Weston-Chandler Funeral Home, 45 Main St., South Paris on Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. Donations in her memory may be made to the charity of your choice or the Todd Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Karen Stack, 89 Merrill Hill Road, Hebron, ME 04238. Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.westonchandler.com

Jordan’s initial training was at Fort Benning, Ga., as an Infantryman. He was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry, Fort Lewis, Wash., and was currently deployed in the War on Terror in Afghanistan.

He was born in Pennsylvania on Aug. 5, 1989, and became the son of Daniel and Suzanne Brochu in July of 1993. He graduated from Lake Region High School in 2008 and was eager to follow in his older siblings’ footsteps by joining the military. Jordan was a multi-faceted and talented young man. Anything he set his mind to, he excelled in. He loved to learn, to laugh, and lived for adventures. Whether it was on the beach or on the slopes, if there was something happening, you could be sure that Jordan was in the thick of it. He had many interests; from drawing to poetry writing, from fishing with his dad to cooking, from playing video games with his brother to discussing books with his mom. He played the violin, but then dreamed of being a rap star. He participated in a myriad of physical activities from football to snowboarding, basketball to track, from biking to karate. He easily made friends and was a born leader.

He is survived by his parents, Daniel and Suzanne of Oakland; sisters, Sadie Brochu of Oakland and April Crider of Chester, N.Y.; his older brother, Aaron Brochu of Rother Glen, Va.; two nieces; his maternal grandmother, Una May Lord of Pittsfield; his paternal foster grandparents, Don and Martha Farnham of Sidney; and many other dear uncles, aunts, cousins, extended family and friends.

A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held at 9 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 10, at the Faith Evangelical Free Church, 250 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville. A committal service with military honors for family and close friends will follow at 1 p.m. at the Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery on Mt. Vernon Road in Augusta. Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, One Church St., Augusta. Condolences to the family may be sent to www.khrfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make memorial contributions to: The Wounded Warrior Project. P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517.

Born on June 22, 1933 to Calvin and Gladys (Holt) Rowe, he was raised and educated in Gorham and was a 1953 graduate of Gorham High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army where he served for two years. Al attended the Philadelphia Bible College from 1964 until 1967. After graduating college, he worked for seven years as a missionary for The Wyclisse Bible Translators Mission Board in Cuiaba, Brazil. It was this missionary work that became his greatest passion and something he spoke very dearly about. In the States, Al worked for the Cianbro Corporation doing construction and carpentry. After many years working for Cianbro, he retired and became self-employed. His excellent carpentry skill and outstanding reputation kept him extremely busy until 2008 when he then “officially” retired due to his health. Al was a member of the Raymond Village Community Church where he served in many capacities over the years. He was a former member of the Raymond Fire Department. Al’s hobbies included fishing, camping, gardening and being a craftsman. He also enjoyed mission work and playing cards. In fact, even in his final days he could still beat the family in a game of “Rook!”

Besides his parents, one brother, Clinton Rowe and one sister, Marion Irish have predeceased him.

Al is survived by his wife Charlotte Rowe of Raymond; his children, Rebekah Merrick of Pennsylvania, Lesa Miller of Azrou, Marroco, Nathan Rowe of Portland; stepchildren, Ronald Blake of Brownfield, Pamela Hartig of Raymond, Linda Nichols of Naples, Wendy Burbank of Freeport, Diane La Pierre of Raymond;  33 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Alice Snow of Maine and Gladys Burns of Maryland; and a brother, Calvin Rowe of Tennessee.

There will be no visiting hours. A service celebrating Albion’s life will be held on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 2 p.m. at the Raymond Village Community Church, Main Street, in Raymond. Arrangements are by the Dolby Funeral, Windham. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Raymond Village Community Church, PO Box 285, Raymond ME 04071 or Connected Touch Inc., P.O. Box 361, Casco ME 04015. Connected Touch is a massage therapy program dedicated to cancer patients, Denise Morin, owner, spent many hours with Al and was a tremendous comfort to both him and family. 

She was born in North Fryeburg, a daughter of Hubert and Grace (Howard) Quincy and attended Fryeburg schools. June was a homemaker, and enjoyed playing cards and games. She liked to knit, crocheting and paint oil paintings. She enjoyed dancing, going to yard sales and flea markets. She had a good sense of humor and loved to play practical jokes.
She was predeceased by her husband, Harry G. Roberts Sr. in 1975.

She is survived by two daughters Carolyn Libby of Somersworth, N.H. and Aloha Kelley of Glenn, N.H.; five sons Roger Roberts of Lovell, Harry G. Roberts Jr. of Lovell, Philip Roberts of Dixfield, Ike Roberts of North Fryeburg and Jeff Roberts of Lovell; a nephew; 25 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be held at Wood Funeral Home, 9 Warren Street, Fryeburg, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11 at the Universalist Chapel in North Fryeburg. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Fryeburg. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Fryeburg Rescue, P.O. Box 177, Fryeburg, ME 04037. Arrangements are made with Wood Funeral Home, Fryeburg. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.org

He was born on May 13, 1945, in Bridgeport, Conn. Taylor attended schools in New York, graduating from Pace University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Marketing in 1970. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1968 as a Crew Chief on a C141 Transport and had 25 combat missions in Vietnam. Taylor opened Rowe Special Credit in 1991 and became general manager of Rowe Special Credit and vice president of Public Auto Finance. In May of 2008, he became vice president and general manager of Rowe Auburn. A passionate motorcycle enthusiast, Taylor participated in enduros, motorcross, dirt tracking and ice racing. He was a lifetime AMA member and a Pine Tree Trail Rider board member. He also organized the annual ice racing fundraiser for Camp Sunshine.

Taylor is survived by his loving wife Beverly; his brothers George of Casco and Morton of Goodyear, Arizona; three nieces, two nephews and a great-niece and nephew, all of whom he dearly loved.

He was predeceased by his parents, Priscilla Taylor and Nils Smith-Petersen. Taylor touched the lives of many and will be sadly missed by his wonderful friends and family.

A celebration of his life was held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Roosevelt Trail, North Windham, on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009. Online condolences may be left for the family at hallfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The American Cancer Society, One Main St., Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086 or the American Heart Association, 51 U.S. Route One, Suite M, Scarborough, ME 04074.

She was born in Sabattus on Jan. 23, 1911, a daughter of William and Nona Frost Wood. Margaret was predeceased by her husband Dr. Charles D. Brown. She graduated from Bridgton High School in 1929 and St. Barnabas Hospital School of Nursing in Portland. Margaret served as an assistant to the late Dr. John Bischoffberger of Naples for many years.

Surviving are two daughters, Christa Pauley of South China and Shirley Davis of Gettysburg, Pa.; her son Dr. Jeffrey Brown of Gold Canyon, Ariz.; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at the Raymond Village Cemetery, Mill Street in Raymond on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your local fire and rescue unit or to the North Vassalboro Baptist Church, 128 Main St., Vassalboro, ME 04962. Arrangements are under the care of Hall Funeral Home, Casco.

The daughter of Victor E. and Louise E. (Wales) Johnson, Brenda was born on July 20, 1930 in Bridgton. A lifelong resident of Naples, she grew up on the family farm located on Lambs Mill Road. A selfless and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, homemaker and caring friend, Brenda enjoyed gardening, bird watching, cooking and crocheting, and sharing her daily joys with others. Never one to complain, Brenda accepted her illness with grace, perseverance and dignity.

She is survived by her husband of 41 years, James J. of Naples: four daughters, Cynthia (Jayne) Worcester of Naples, Margaret Bernier of Spencer, Mass., Heidi Mercer of Naples and Wendi Ittah of Centerville, Va.:  two sons, Peter Vachon of Scarborough and Thomas Bullen of Casco; and 10 grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be held at Hall Funeral Home on Friday, Sept. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held there on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Southern Maine, 11 Hunnewell Road, Scarborough, ME 04074. Online condolences may be left for the family at hallfuneralhomeinc.com

She was born on Sept. 26, 1964, in Portland, the daughter of Charles B. and Eunice E. Merrifield Mitchell. Mary attended local schools and graduated from Sacopee Valley High School in 1983. She began a life-long career in the insurance industry most recently working at the Lovejoy & Wadsworth Agency in Kezar Falls. On Oct. 14, 1989, Mary married Steven Edward Barton at the Riverside United Methodist Church in Kezar Falls and together they had two beautiful children, Mitchell, 15 and Stacie, 10. Mary was an active member of the Riverside United Methodist Church of Kezar Falls serving many years as secretary, treasurer and chimes ringer and also served many years as ballot clerk for the Town of Porter. Mrs. Barton enjoyed spending time in the great outdoors camping with her family and friends as well as being head cheerleader for her children in their various sport and school activities enjoying soccer the most.

Mary was predeceased by her father Charles in 2006.

She is survived by her husband Steve and children Mitchell and Stacie, all of Porter; her mother, Eunice E. Merrifield Mitchell of Porter; her brother Donald of Hiram; and sister Amy Lewis of Parsonsfield; as well as several nieces, nephews; aunts, uncles and cousins.

Visiting hours were held on Friday, Sept. 4, at Neal & York Funeral Home, 12 High St., Kezar Falls. A funeral service was held on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Riverside United Methodist Church, 5 School St., Porter; followed by a burial in Kezar Falls Burial Grounds. Pastors Alan Cogswell and Larry Adams officiated. Online condolences may be sent to www.nealyork.com. In Mary’s memory, donations may be made and sent to: Riverside United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 26, Parsonsfield, ME 04047-0026 or to Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 U.S. Rte. 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.

He was born in East Oxford on July 4, 1930, the son of Edward M. and Beatrice (Young) Paine and was educated in local schools. Dannie had been the animal control officer for the towns of Woodstock, West Paris, Milton and the Townships of Oxford County, and ran the Moose Pond Animal Shelter for many years. He was a member of the Maine State Animal Control Association as well as a long-time member of the Grace Fellowship Church of Oxford. Dannie’s family was his life.

He is survived by his wife, Eleanor, of West Paris; two sons, Daniel Paine of Bryant Pond and Tommy Paine of South Paris; five daughters, Beatrice Learned of Newry, Betty Houston of South Paris, Jacquline Moody of Lisbon, N.H., Linda Brough of Harrison and Julie Reynolds of West Paris; three brothers, George, Roger and Gordon Paine, all of South Paris; two sisters, Louise Palmer of Bethel, and Darlene Cordwell of Norway; 21 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

He was predeceased by two daughters, Eleanor Paine and Linda Darlene Paine; one son, Dannie Paine Jr.; one brother, Edward Paine.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, Sept. 5 at the Grace Fellowship Church in Oxford. Pastor Lloyd Waterhouse officiated. Memorials in Dannie’s name are suggested to the Grace Fellowship Church, Aspen Avenue, Oxford, ME 04270. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.andrewsgreenleaf.com