1923 – 2003

LEWISTON – Henry Johnson Potter, 80, of Kents Hill joined loved ones who have passed on before him on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at Central Maine Medical Center, whose caring staff he had come to admire and appreciate since his first bout with cancer 22 years ago.

He was born Aug. 12, 1923, in Mount Vernon, the eldest child of Woodford and L. Marie (Cole) Potter. He moved to Kents Hill with his family in 1939 where he gained his high school education.

He and Evelyn Adell were married on June 28, 1947. They raised their daughters in the home they lovingly built on Old Kents Hill Road, where family members have spent many happy times gathering for good food, laughter, love and sometimes tears.

Prior to his retirement in 1988 he worked for State of Maine Department of Transportation for 47 years. For the first several he worked on the State Tar Crew during the summers and winters was a snowplow operator. For the last 20 years he proudly and adeptly operated a John Deere front-end loader for the State of Maine.

He was a family man who unconditionally loved his home, wife, children and grandchildren. He offered a strong and silent presence to all that knew him in time of need.

He enjoyed country music with a passion, and for the past 22 years also took pleasure in dancing. He and wife Evelyn attended many Weeks Mills Family Music Festivals, where they made new friends and traditions.

Another of his passions was his five-acre lawn, which he meticulously mowed — the last time being a few short days before his death. His most prize possessions were his John Deere lawn tractor and his 1977 Chevrolet pick-up truck — which bears the license plate “Prampy” — a name given him by his grandson, Jonathan.

Survivors include Evelyn, his wife of 56 years; two daughters, Sandra Potter-Clark of Kents Hill and Dale Marie Clark and her life partner Harvey Boatman of Vassalboro; son-in-law, Donald Clark of Kents Hill; four grandchildren, Matthew Clark of Mount Vernon, Jeremy Clark, Julie Clark, Amanda Clark Linton of Kents Hill and her husband David and daughter, Elise; brothers, Lorin Potter and wife Midge of Kents Hill and Hubert Potter and wife Irene of Whitefield; several nieces, nephews, cousins and very special friends.

He was predeceased by his parents; brothers, Donald and Howard Potter; sisters, Phyllis Weston, Maybelle Cates and Trudy Brooks; daughter, Rosemary Potter; son-in-law, Thomas Clark; and grandson, Jonathan Clark.

He was looking forward to the birth of his first great-grandchild, lovingly called “Smudge”, in January 2004.

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