Obituaries from the week of 12/3/09

Joseph (Joe) was born on Oct. 11, 1925 in Amarillo Texas. He and his parents, James and Mary Ward, later moved to Kansas where Joe spent much of his youth. He enlisted in the Army on July 29, 1943 and served until the end of World War II, earning several decorations and citations and attaining the rank of sergeant. Joe earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Kansas after the War. He then went on to graduate study at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and earned a Master of Science degree in health physics from the University of California, Berkeley. Joe worked on rocket development projects for Aerojet Corporation for several years and then joined the California Department of Public Health as a senior health physicist. Joe rose to become Chief of the Radiologic Health Division of the California Department of Health and he served in that position until his retirement in 1986. 

Joseph married Dorothy M. Mozden on Feb. 2, 1974 in Davis, California. They lived on farms in Woodland and in the Capay Valley of California where they grew alfalfa and walnuts and raised horses. Joe and Dorothy moved to Bridgton, Maine in 1992. In 1994 they relocated to a farm in Brownfield, and Joe returned to Bridgton in 1999.

From his new home in Bridgton, Joe became active in the local music and arts communities. He was an enthusiastic supporter of, and generous contributor to the Sebago-Long Lake Music Festival. He also exercised his considerable talents as an artist, creating many delightful paintings treasured by the Mozden family and his friends. Joe was well-known for his ever-inquiring mind and he was an active participant in Bridgton’s Senior College. Joe continued his interest in horses, loved and cared for several dogs and cats, and was a supporter of the Harvest Hills Animal Shelter.

A Memorial Gathering was held in Joe’s honor at the Black Horse Tavern in Bridgton on Nov. 7, 2009. Joe was much loved and is deeply missed by Dorothy Mozden along with her sisters Marie Mozden, Catherine Lewis, Annterese Throop and Elizabeth Weiner, her brothers Walter and Mark Mozden, Joe’s close friends Ursula and Wolfgang Duve of Sweden, Anne Powell of Gorham, and his many other friends in the local arts, music, senior college and equine communities. Condolences and memories may be shared and would be welcomed at www.hallfuneralhomeinc.com

Jim graduated from West Virginia University, and attended Ranger School at Wana Kena in up-state New York. He was the former athletic director for the Litchfield School District’s Junior High School and was also the physical education teacher for Griffin Memorial Elementary School located in Litchfield, N.H. Jim formerly taught physical education in the U.S. Virgin Islands, in North Stratford, N.H., and was a recreational specialist at Micronesian Occupational Center in Koror, Palau. Jim also spent time as manager of both Radio Shack and Olympia Sports Center stores. Jim attended Calvary Bible Church in Derry, N.H. He spent lots of time enjoying and respecting the outdoors. Jim was an avid bass fisherman, and enjoyed tennis, baseball, swimming, and both water and snow skiing. Jim even tried his hand at taxidermy. Mr. Bliss was a pen and ink artist and an avid photographer. He especially enjoyed spending summers at Moose Pond in Bridgton, Me. with his family.

James leaves his beloved wife of 35 years, Valerie (Adams) Bliss, along with their loving children, daughter Carrie Conway and her husband Sean of East Derry, N.H. as well as their daughter Hailey, son Bryan Bliss and his wife Katie of Derry, N.H. and their son, Cody, son Adam Bliss and his wife Jessica of Derry, N.H. and their son, Cohen. Jim also leaves his mother, Eleanor (Buchtenkirch) Bliss of Westbrook, Me.; siblings, Helen Sternberg of Gray, Me., and Walter Bliss of Belmont, N.H. He also leaves his mother-in-law, Carrie Adams of Bridgton, Me.

The funeral services were held Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. at the Calvary Bible Church, 145 Hampstead Rd., Derry, N.H. The Peabody Funeral Home is respectfully handling all arrangements for the family. Donations in memory of Jim may be made, in lieu of flowers, to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney Street Boston, MA 02115-6084, Attention: Dr. Peter Black, Head Neurosurgeon. For further information and to offer online condolences, please visit www.peabodyfuneralhome.com

She was born in Norway, Jan. 1, 1928, the daughter of Cleon and Mabel (Harding) Perkins and was educated in Norway schools. She married Francis H. Vail Jr. on June 20, 1946. He died on Oct. 2, 1999. She worked at various places including Norway Shoe, J.J. Newbury, the Paddock Restaurant and Della’s Restaurant. She was a hard worker, working more than one job most of the time to help support her family. She was a life member of the Waterford Grange, Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War and the Pythian Sisters and had served in all offices of each. She was active all the time and enjoyed stamping, shopping at Walmart, crocheting, knitting, reading, snowmobiling, scrapbooking, ice skating, taping shows, camping, fishing and hunting; but most importantly her family was her life.

She is survived by one son, Francis H. Vail III of Stoneham; two daughters, Bonita E. Taylor and Martha V. Littlefield, both of Stoneham; three sisters, Bernice M. Palmer of Norway, Thelma Rugg of Albany Township and Donna Perkins of West Paris; five grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband; a son, Morton Dudley Vail; and two brothers, John Perkins and Ned Perkins.

Visiting hours will be held at the Greenleaf Funeral Home, 37 Vernon Street, Bethel on Thursday, Dec. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services, with casual attire requested, will be held at the funeral home on Friday at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Bethel. Memorials in Eloise’s name are requested to the Stoneham Rescue, P.O. Box 42, Stoneham, ME 04231. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.andrewsgreenleaf.com

She was born in Westbrook, the daughter of Joseph and Annie Mae Andrews Burrows. She was raised in Westbrook and graduated from Westbrook High School. Freda worked at the S.D. Warren Paper Co. for 20 years, and was a member of the Westbrook Warren Congregational Church for many years. Freda enjoyed reading, especially in the past few years.

She was predeceased by her husband Wilbur Preston in 1987.

Freda is survived by three sons, Robert of Windham, Richard of Hope and Steven of Casco; a daughter, Carol Bellerose of Naples, Fla.; 11 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held on Wednesday at the Westbrook Warren Congregational Church. Interment will be at the Woodlawn Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are by Blais & Hay Funeral Home, Westbrook.

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Sharon was born in Portland at Maine Medical on Oct. 29, 1942, the daughter of Beatrice and Bradford Brown. She grew up in South Portland, where she attended South Portland High School. For the last 38 years, Sharon and Rudy Kroc lived in Naples on Thompson’s Point, where they have lent a helping hand and touched the hearts of so many people. Sharon spent several years working as an administrative assistant at The Finest Kind Stove Shop full time, while also being a full-time mother to her family and all the surrounding community. She enjoyed her time gardening, enjoying the lakefront and being surrounded by friends and family.

Sharon was predeceased by her mother and father; and nephew.

Sharon is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Rudy; sons Karl of Naples and Kris of Irvine, Calif.; sister Sandra Bozzuto; nephews, nieces and great-nephew; and grandchildren.

Visiting hours were held on Saturday, Nov. 28, at Hall Funeral Home on Quaker Ridge Road in Casco.

He was born Feb. 6, 1949, in Portland, the son of Arthur Erlon and Anna Louise Riebe Ray. Richard was educated in Portland schools and was a 1967 graduate of Portland High School. He furthered his education at Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute (now Southern Maine Community College) and received his associate’s degree. Richard was in the Marine Reserves during the Vietnam era. After high school, he became a member of IBEW Union 567 and worked as a master electrician and welder across the United States. In 1993, the family returned to Maine. Richard was an instructor for the IBEW 5th year apprenticeship program. In 1999, he became a member of the Downeasters Barbershop Chorus (SPEBSQSA). He enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding his motorcycle and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.

He was predeceased by his parents; and a brother Philip Ray.

Richard is survived by daughters Charlotte Miller of North Dakota, Lori Hamilton of Gorham, Amy Knowles of Casco and Rebecca Ray Green of Bangor; a son Richard C. Ray of Portland; sisters Anita Ley of Portland, Donna Buck of South Portland and Arthurlene Eaton of Wells; brothers Charles Ray of Portland and Daniel Ray of Westbrook; six grandchildren; countless nieces and nephews; and his former wife Rosemary Ray.

Visiting hours were held on Sunday, Nov. 29 at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A funeral service was held on Monday, Nov. 30, at the North Deering Congregational Church, 1364 Washington Ave., Portland. Burial will follow at a later date. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ctcrawford.com

Born on Aug. 5, 1987, Troy is the beloved son of Robin Winant of Winthrop, Thomas Doyle Sr. of Scarborough, and stepmother Kymeth-Eren Doyle of Dayton. Troy was loved by many. He loved everyone he ever met, a joy to all who knew him. His friends and his music were his life. He will forever be a light in those closest to him. 

He was predeceased by grandparents David and Edith Doyle of Pleasant Point Indian reservation in Perry.

He is survived by his maternal grandparents John and Rosemary Winant of Raymond; brother Thomas D. Doyle Jr. of Portland; sister Clancy R. Doyle of Dayton; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

A celebration of Troy’s life was held at The Empire Dine and Dance on Congress Street in Portland on Wednesday, Nov. 25. A service was held on Friday, Nov. 27, at Pleasant Point Indian Reservation in Perry. Arrangements have been made by Dennent, Craig and Pate Funeral Home.