1950's

1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959

1950 Top

Henry Mackay Heale, 79, from Portland, Maine, on March 1, 2003. B.A. in sociology. He taught school in Michigan and New Hampshire and retired from teaching in South Portland. He was a former member of the national and Maine teachers associations and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and reading. He is survived by two siblings including Harvey ‘51.

Raymond Alexander Kenneally, 77, from Biddeford, Maine, and Avon, Florida, on March 9, 2003. B.A. in business administration, M.Ed. in 1957, and a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. While at the university he was a member of the Glee Club for three years and Varsity Singers for two years. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Army Air Force from 1943 until 1946. He began his teaching career in Wytopitlock, Maine, became principal of the Emery School in 1955, principal of Biddeford High School in 1959 and later superintendent of schools in Biddeford. In 1973 he became an associate education professor and director of student teaching at St. Francis College, now the University of New England. He then became professor of education and history and served several times as dean of the college. The University of New England Annual Award for Distinguished Academic Service to the university, the Kenneally Cup, was named after him following his being named the first recipient in 1991. Upon his retirement he was named professor emeritus. During retirement he continued his love of teaching and taught History of the American West Through the Eyes of Artists to school groups and Elderhostel programs in Maine and Florida. He kept his ties to the University of Maine and served as the vice president of the Class of 1950. He discovered golf after retirement and served on the boards of the Salmon Falls Country Club and the Crystal Lake Club. He is survived by his wife of 52 years Elinor Geraldine Lamb Kenneally ‘50, two sons including John ‘81, two grandchildren, and two step-grandchildren.

Ruth Lawry Small Ramsay, 74, from Scarborough, Maine, on May 3, 2003. B.A. in business. She was a member of the Maine Masque for three years and the Glee Club for four years. She raised four children and was employed by the Bessey School in Scarborough, retiring in 1983 after 20 years. She enjoyed gardening, music, quilting, baking, weekly summer poker games, traveling, and golf. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, four children, five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a sister Lois S. Peterson ‘49. 

Robert Paul Stone, 82, from Portland, Maine, on March 21, 2003. B.S. in poultry husbandry, M.Ed. in 1962, and a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. While at the university he played football for three years, was a member of the Pale Blue Key Club for two years, and the agricultural club for two years. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Navy from 1942 until 1946. He was stationed on the cruiser battleship USS Alaska in the Pacific Theater. He taught science and driver’s education at Westbrook High School for more than 20 years before opening his own driving school in 1982. He was a communicant of Holy Cross Church and taught eighth grade Catholic education there for several years. He was a Celtics and Red Sox fan and also enjoyed opera, carpentry, gardening, travel, and spending time with his family. He is survived by two children, two grandchildren, and two brothers, Theodore ‘42 and Louis ‘52.

Edgar “Blackie” George Turmelle, 82, from Shapleigh, Maine, on March 21, 2003. B.S. in physical education, M.Ed. in 1954, and a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. While at the university he played football for three years, baseball for three years, and was a member of the “M” Club for two years. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Navy from 1939 until 1945 and was a survivor of Pearl Harbor. He taught biology at Ellsworth High School, coached football and track, and was the assistant coach of the basketball team. He later became a teacher and coach in the Rumford school department. He was a sports enthusiast and if not watching or listening to a sporting event, he was coaching or officiating. He is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years, five children including Allan ‘69, 10 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Fay Eugenia Gray Wiesing, 74, from Bangor and Sedgwick, Maine, on February 19, 2003. B.S. in education. Although she graduated with the Class of 1970 she wished to affiliate with the Class of 1950. She returned to the University of Maine in 1969 to finish the degree she began many years previously. She taught school for 19 years in Sedgwick and Penobscot. After retiring in 1982 she enjoyed traveling, spending time with her family, and was active with the Hampden Senior Group. She is survived by four children, eight grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and one brother Gleason ‘68.           

Priscilla “Goggie” Goggin Wilks, 74, from Wenham, Massachusetts, on February 3, 2003. B.A. in music and a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. While at the university she was a member of the choir for four years, a Varsity Singer and soloist for two years, and a Madrigal Singer for two years. After graduation she taught junior and senior high school in Beverly, Massachusetts, and then taught music to American children in the Army Dependent schools in France and Germany. She returned to the United States in 1956 and taught in New Jersey. She later was an account representative in the family’s printing and design business. For many years she conducted a chorus at the Beverly School of Nursing, was a member of the First Parish Unitarian Church in Beverly, and was a choir member since 1960. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, one son, three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

1951 Top

Walter Anthony Borkowski, 75, from South Berwick, Maine, on April 27, 2003. B.S. in physical education. He taught at Traip Academy in Kittery, Maine, later became the program director for WWNH in Rochester, New Hampshire, and then returned to teaching. He was a coach and teacher at Exeter Area High School in Exeter, New Hampshire. He then became its principal, retiring in 1994. He was a member of the First Parish Federated Church, a sports enthusiast, and fisherman. He is survived by his wife of 50 years Joyce Pray Borkowski ‘50, three children, four grandchildren, and a sister Stella B. Patten ‘47.  

Stanley Hale Eddy, 77, from Springfield, Massachusetts, on February 3, 2003. B.A. in business administration. He began his employment with General Electric in Schenectady, New York. He then was the assistant trust officer for The South Shore National Bank of Quincy and retired as vice president/trust administrator from the Third National Bank of Hampden County in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1982. After retirement he moved to Searsport, Maine, for a number of years, and volunteered with the Waldo County Hospital Aid and the Penobscot Marine Museum. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, two children, two grandchildren, and his brother Robert ‘49.

1952 Top

Chester Raymond Duhamel, 76, from Portland, Maine, on March 30, 2003. B.S. in civil engineering and a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard in the South Pacific. He was involved with the development of the Maine Turnpike, surveying the initial turnpike from Augusta to Bangor. From 1971 until 1983 he owned and operated Precon, a precast concrete plant at the Auburn Airport. He was involved in the construction of the Cumberland County Civic Center, University of Southern Maine School of Law building, and the Brunswick Naval Air Station Trainer Operations Building. Most recently he was employed as a clerk of the works with Harriman Associates. He was a member and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Gray, and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and piloting his own plane. He is survived by four children including James ‘72 and six grandchildren.

Derrill Everett Hibbard, Sr., 77, from Madison, Maine, on March 28, 2003. B.S. in mechanical engineering. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Navy. He was employed by several companies in the Madison paper mill during his 41 years of employment. He served on the Madison school board for 20 years and several years on the Madison Water District board. He was a member of the Odd Fellows, Masons, Shrine, and was an avid hunter, fisherman, and golfer. He is survived by his wife of 55 years Ruth Gould Hibbard ‘49, three sons, seven grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren.

Carlton Emery Wight, 75, from Woolwich, Maine, on March 21, 2003. B.A. in history and a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. While at the university he was an outstanding baseball player who led the Yankee Conference in hitting in 1952.  He was a veteran of the Army, serving from 1946 until 1948. He was a member of the First Infantry Band in Germany and was an active member of a big band orchestra. He taught history at Waldoboro High School and coached baseball. In 1954 he was a sales manager at Bath Canning in Bath, and in the mid-1960s he opened the Wight Real Estate Company and a few years later the Wight Travel Agency. Both offices were located in Bath. He enjoyed baseball and frequently followed the Red Sox to Florida for their spring training. He continued to play with the over-45 local league and at age 74 he knocked a few out of the park, making news with the Bath Times Record. His other interest, big bands, also led him to travel near and far to hear his favorite bands. He was a member of the Elks, Junior Chamber of Commerce/Chamber of Commerce, and the Braves Over 45 baseball team. He is survived by two daughters including Carla W. Intza ‘74 and five grandchildren.

1953 Top

Charles Theodore Knowles, Jr., 74, from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on March 10, 2003. B.A. in business administration and a member of Theta Chi fraternity. He was a veteran of the Navy serving during World War II. He retired as plant manager at the General Electric facility in Scottsville. He was a former member of the Rotary Club and Kiwanis. He is survived by his wife, six children, thirteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

1954 Top

Dr. Carl Eugene Pipes, 70, from Scituate, Massachusetts, and New Limerick, Maine, on March 11, 2003. B.A. in zoology and a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He continued his education at the University of Pennsylvania Dental School graduating in 1958. He was a captain in the Army Dental Corps from 1958 until 1961 and practiced dentistry in Situate, Massachusetts, for 41 years. He was an active environmentalist, serving on the Scituate Conservation Commission, working on the Community Preservation Act, was one of the originators of the recycling programs in Scituate, and was instrumental in having the town purchase land to protect the water supply. He enjoyed tennis, sailing, and biking. He is survived by his wife, six children including Mark ‘93, nine grandchildren, and two siblings including Ralph ‘40.

Kenneth Albert Williams, 70, from Cape St. Claire, Maryland, on May 20, 2003. B.A. in mathematics, M.A. in 1960. He served in the Army from 1954 until 1958 achieving the rank of captain. He was employed by the National Security Agency from 1960 until his retirement in 1999. He was an active member of the Gideons, a member of the United Methodist Church, and enjoyed studying wildlife. He is survived by his wife Irene Brooks Williams ‘55, two sons, and two grandchildren. 

1955 Top

Geraldine Webber Bickford, 97, from South Portland, Maine, on January 30, 2003. M.Ed. She began teaching in the late 1920’s and taught school in Rumford, Yarmouth, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, and Westbrook for 42 years. She was a member of the Church of the Nazarene of South Portland, the College Club of Portland, Cape Elizabeth/South Portland Garden Club, and the Maine Extension Club. After retirement she and her husband spent many winters in Florida and traveled the world on freighters. She is survived by her daughter, four granddaughters, and nine great-grandchildren.

Carroll Burleigh Ronco, 88, from Bar Mills, Maine, on March 31, 2003. M.Ed. He was an educator who started his career  as a teacher in Alfred and Seal Harbor, Maine. He became principal of Mt. Desert High School in 1942, then principal of Pemetic High School until 1948, and superintendent of schools for School Union #103 in Lubec. He went on to be the superintendent of School Union #9 in Cornish, SAD 6 in Buxton, where he oversaw the organization of the new district and the development of Bonny Eagle High School, and SAD 57 in Waterboro where he managed the development of Massabesic High School, retiring in 1972. The football field at Massabesic was named Ronco Field in his honor. He was a member of the American Association of School Administrators, the Nation Education Association, the Maine School Superintendents Association, the Lubec Grange, and was president of the Men’s Fellowship of the Christian Congregation Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, tying his own flies, boating and gardening. He is survived by two sons including Glen ‘67, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

1956 Top

Kendon Edward Curtis, 70, from Castle Hill, Maine, on February 23, 2003. A.S. in agricultural engineering. He was a veteran of the Korean war serving in the Navy from 1950 until 1954. He was employed by the Soil Conservation Service in Lewiston and retired from the service in Presque Isle. He was responsible for many earthen dams that supplied ponds for  water, recreation, and fire protection in southern and northern Maine. He was a member of the American Legion, past member of the Masons, and a lifetime member of the Richmond Corner Grange. He is survived by four children including Kelli C. Brouillet ‘81, and 11 grandchildren.

1957 Top

Robert Laban Rand, 67, from Augusta, Maine, on April 11, 2003. B.A. in sociology. He went on to receive a B.A. in theology from Boston University. He served parishes in Belfast, Bath, Biddeford, and Randolph, Maine, and Portsmouth, Rhode Island. He was director of Mechuwana, the United Methodist Camp in Winthrop, Maine. After retirement he drove a school bus for Maranacook Community School and played in the Hallowell Community Band. He is survived by his wife Hazel Marie Gray Rand ‘59 , two children, two grandchildren, and three siblings including David ‘51.

Ruth Leighton Thomas, 91, from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on April 30, 2003. M.Ed. She received her undergraduate degree at Colby College, and after graduating from UMaine, she attended Boston University. She was a teacher in Mexico and Dover-Foxcroft, Maine. She was a member of the Congregational Church in Pittsfield, the Tuesday Club, and volunteered at the Sebasticook Valley Health Care Center. She is survived by two children including Louise T. Dow ‘58, five grandchildren,  and nine great-grandchildren.

1958 Top

Domenic Peter Federico, 73, from South Portland, Maine, on March 27, 2003. B.A. in business and a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He was a veteran serving in the Air Force from 1951 until 1955. He was employed as a salesman for A.H. Benoit & Company, credit investigator for Dunn and Bradstreet in Boston, large case team coordinator for the U.S. Treasury Department, and as a self-employed tax preparer of individual and corporate tax returns. He was a lifetime member of the Elks, Italian Heritage Center, and a communicant of Holy Cross Church in South Portland. He enjoyed fishing, skiing, golfing, and swimming. He is survived by three children, and three grandchildren.

1959 Top

Paul Spencer Francis, 71, from Meriden, Connecticut, on February 26, 2003. B.S. in dairy plant management and a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He was a Navy veteran of the Korean War. He was employed as an auditor for Metropolitan Insurance, worked for International Silver Company in the claims department, and until his retirement was a credit analyst at Howe Furniture Company in Trumbull. He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, two children, and four grandchildren.

Audrey Brainerd Gould, 78, from Auburn, Maine, on March 2, 2003. M.Ed. After high school graduation in 1942 she was employed at the Bates Manufacturing Company in the lab and graduated from Farmington State Teacher College in 1949. She taught kindergarten and first grade at the Merrill Hill School from 1949 until 1981. She was a member of the Eastern Star where she played piano and organ for many years. She served as mother advisor to Lewiston Assembly 14, International Order of Rainbow for Girls for five years. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, cooking, and music but was happiest when talking about her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, one daughter, and two grandchildren.

Paul Stanley Gray, 73, from Waterville, Maine, died on April 24, 2003 from cancer. M.Ed. He taught at Patten Academy for two years, served in the Army for two years, and returned to Patten for two more years. He taught in Pittsfield, Kittery, and then moved to Marshfield, Massachusetts, where he taught English for the next 27 years, retiring in 1990. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, letter writing, and harness racing.

John Malcolm McPhee, 65, from Haymock Lake, Maine, died on May 4, 2003, when his plane crashed in the woods of northern  Maine. B.S. in education, a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, and completed ROTC training. He served as a first lieutenant in the Army from 1959 through 1962. After teaching junior high school in Bath he became a game warden in 1964 and a game warden pilot in 1967. He was based at Eagle Lake and his career was highlighted by several life-saving missions. After retirement from the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in 1985 he owned Macannamac Sporting Camps, with camps on Haymock Lake, Spider Lake, and Cliff Lake. He also continued to contract work with the department and was tracking a radio-collared Canadian lynx at the time of the crash. He is survived by his wife, two children, three grandchildren, and sister and brother-in-law Judie McPhee MacArthur ‘68 and Ed ‘68.

Andrew Adelbert McSorley, 91, from Fort Myers, Florida, on February 28, 2003. M.Ed. in 1951 and certificate of advanced study in 1959. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Air Force and after the war he joined the reserves and was discharged as a major. He was a teacher of industrial arts at Southington Connecticut High School until his retirement. He enjoyed his camp at Sebec Lake and traveled extensively. He is survived by his wife of 66 years Doris Marr McSorley ‘59.

Alma Blarcom Walker, 84, from Bloomington, Indiana, on April 14, 2003. M.Ed. She received her undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary in Virginia and taught there before attending Umaine. In 1955 she taught in Westchester County, New York, and taught for many years in the Valhalla school system. She is survived by her husband, three children, and two grandchildren.