1953 – 2004

POLAND SPRING – Arthur Worthen Gilmore, Jr. 50, of Schellinger Road died Saturday, Jan. 31, at home.

He was born in Portland on March 30, 1953, the son of Arthur Worthen and Gloria Coombs Gilmore. He was a graduate of Gray-New Gloucester High School in 1971, and studied drafting at Central Maine Vocational Technical Institute in Auburn.

At an early age, racing and cars were an important part of “Art’s” life. He particularly loved Volkswagen Beetles and a fender-bender in one of them landed him the nickname and handle “Guardrail”.

In his teenage years his father and his love of racing brought him to Oxford Plains Speedway. He raced ministocks and through the years spent many hours helping friends with stockcars that were raced at Oxford. He loved the friends he made and the time he shared with them in Oxford, and later at the track in Loudon, N.H.

He also enjoyed watching NASCAR races with his friends and son, routing for his favorite drivers, Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr. He is probably best remembered as the trustworthy and jocular mechanic at Gilmore’s Auto Service in New Gloucester. He had worked with his father who opened the business in 1952 and then operated the garage himself for 20 years. His customers couldn’t leave the garage without sharing a good joke, story, and hearty laugh with him.

He was a 15 year member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles 4131 of New Gloucester. He made many friends while bartending and playing darts at the Club. He was also active in the New Gloucester Community as a volunteer fire fighter.

He is survived by his mother, Gloria of New Gloucester; one son, James of Poland; one daughter, Lori of Southampton, Mass.; his sister, Carol Howard of Raymond; a niece, Sandra Howard of Mt. Washington Valley, N.H.; his former wife and good friend, Cynthia Martin of Poland.

He was predeceased by his father, Arthur Sr.


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