NORTH TURNER – Paul Berry Varney, 80, a dedicated and life-long member of this community, died Tuesday, May 4, at his home over-looking the Androscoggin River that he loved so much and surrounded by his family.

He was born on April 9, 1924, the son of George and Etta (Berry) Varney at Keen’s Mills. He attended local schools and graduated from Leavitt Institute in 1942 – a locally historical institution he consequently worked to save and restore 60 years later.

He married Mavis Leavitt on July 31, 1944, and they spent 60 years together not only as husband and wife but as best friends, working partners and politically active residents.

He was a dairy farmer at his River Bend Farm on the Androscoggin River and he kept a milking herd for more than 50 years. He was a member of the Farm Bureau and served on the Agway Board of Directors for 12 years.

In addition to his family and farm, he was an extremely active member of his community and is responsible for many of the “treasures” of Turner and some of its proud traditions.

The boat launch at Turner Center Bridge came as a direct result of his dealings with Central Maine Power Co. and their subsequent construction of it. The nearby “Turner Riverlands,” part of the state Bureau of Parks, came as a result of a local committee’s unending promotion of the area. He was there from beginning to end. He was known for taking Augusta politicians on floatboat rides up and down that area of the Androscoggin during negotiations.

Mr. Varney was instrumental in the organization of the Maine Snowmobile Association and involved with the development of the ITS snowmobile trail system. He also was key to the establishment of the Turner Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club, helped plan club events and groomed trails in the area for years.

He was Past Master of the Nezinscot Lodge AF & AM of the Masons in Turner.

He was a life-long member of the North Turner Presbyterian Church and throughout the years served as an elder in this small rural congregation. He could always be called upon for help on any and all projects.

The same held true for needs in the town. Being a big baseball fan, he planned and helped build baseball fields in town and spearheaded the field-building at the Boofy Quimby Memorial Center in North Turner getting the folks together, bringing equipment and providing necessary materials. He was a member of, and then coach of, the “Turner Townies,” the local baseball team. Many years ago, he took this small farm team to the national playoffs in Michigan, following their Maine and New England titles.

He served on a number of committees in town government including Landfill, Recreation and Conservation. He served on the Board of Appeals for nine years.

He will be missed by many throughout the community who valued his honesty, his integrity and his dedication to Turner.

He is survived by his wife and best friend, Mavis of North Turner; his daughter, Paula Anderson of North New Portland; his grandsons, Sam Anderson and wife Lisa of New York City and Woody Anderson of Providence, R.I.; three brothers, Sherman and his wife Shirley and George and his wife Dot all of Turner, and Charles of Leeds; one sister, Hilda Caldwell and her husband Lawrence also of Turner; his good friend and farm helper, Lou Farrington of North Turner.

He was predeceased by a sister, Hazel Sennett; and a brother, Warren Varney.