Raymond E. Anderson

SEBAGO — Raymond E. Anderson, 81, of North Sebago, died peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013 at the Maine Veterans' Home in Scarborough, with his loving wife and son by his side.

He was born in Limington on June 1, 1932,  the son of Harold and Marion Thorne Anderson. Ray worked many jobs as a young man, including working at Anderson's Texaco in North Sebago, operated by his father, and he also helped with Anderson's Motel and Kitchenette.

Ray attended local schools and graduated from Potter Academy in 1951. In that same year he married his high school sweetheart, Geneva McLaughlin. He was drafted into the Army in Nov. of 1952, and served until 1954, when he rose in rank from Private to Corporal. He trained at Fort Riley, Kansas and his wife Geneva joined him there. He was then sent to Okinawa for 18 months.

After his honorable discharge, Ray utilized his past knowledge and worked as a mechanic at several garages including Ribas and Harmon's Garage in East Sebago. He also worked as a carpenter for a few places including William Nason and his business in North Sebago. Ray worked for the State and Town of Sebago plowing snow, and worked for his uncle, George Anderson, and their family business, as well as several jobs in between including Anderson's Camp Watch with his cousin, the late Fred Anderson, and he worked with his brother-in-law, the late Norman Rounds, while in Maryland. He also worked at Camp Sunningdale on Sebago Lake and Sandhurst summer school in Naples. Later Ray worked for Morrill's Model A in North Baldwin.

In 1984, Ray took an assistant caretaker job at Camp Mataponi in Naples, and worked alongside the late Russell Smith. He later became the caretaker for Camp Mataponi until his retirement in 2007. He really enjoyed working at Camp Mataponi and made many friends. The children there gave him the nickname, "Papa Ray."

In 2012, Ray suffered a massive stroke and spent over a year at the Maine Veterans' Home where he got daily visits from his wife Geneva and son Mike.

He is predeceased by his daughter, Cindy Jo Anderson Williams. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Geneva Anderson of North Sebago; three sons: Jeffrey Anderson and his wife Pam of Naples, Timothy Anderson and his wife Gail of North Sebago, and Michael Anderson of North Sebago; a sister, Barbara Lorino of Newmarket, N.H.; Three grandchildren:  Lindsay Anderson of Naples, Amanda Anderson of North Sebago, and Jesse Kline of Casco; three great-grandchildren: Sophy, Bryce and Brenden of Naples; and also several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service was held on Saturday, Aug. 10, at 1 p.m. at the Lakeside Cemetery in North Sebago. Pastor Philip Wood officiated.  Arrangements by Watson, Neal & York Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Maine Veterans' Home Activities Fund, 290 U.S. Route One, Scarborough, ME 04074.