LIVERMORE FALLS – Robert M. Bartlett of Livermore received an unusual and early gift for his 88th birthday.

He received his high school diploma during Thursday’s meeting of the SAD 36 Board of Directors, a few days before his June 28 birthday.

The presentation, which was a surprise to Bartlett, was arranged by his daughter, Sheila Richardson of Turner, and other family members.

Richardson told how proud she was of her father, who left school in 1935 to work in a mill, and then took citizens’ military training for two summers before serving in the military in 1941.

He served in Italy during World War II, returning to civilian life in 1945. After marrying, he worked in the mill and at other jobs while raising three children.

Good jobs were not easy to come by, and when Bartlett’s delivery job for a local lumber company came to an end, he told his family he’d like to do carpentry work.

“Whenever Dad had a few minutes, he was always reading books and magazines about how to make things and fix things,” Richardson told the school board.

“None of us had paid a lot of attention to what he was reading or why, but he began working for carpenter Robert Chandler, and they built houses and remade houses and garages,” she continued.

After many years, Bartlett went out on his own, building several houses in Forest Circle in Jay. Then he continued his home studies and began building cabinets.

“He learned from life experiences, from books and practice, and made many friends along the way,” Richardson recalled. “He never charged enough, but he came home with a feeling of having done a professional job and helping people by not charging too much, so they could afford it.”

Also at the school board’s meeting, after Superintendent Terry Despres made his presentation, board Chairman Denise Rodzen read a letter from Kevin Cookson, chairman of the Winthrop Town Council.

Cookson, on behalf of the entire council, thanked Despres for his help during the recent budget season. “If you hadn’t stepped in to review the school budget, I truly believe that we wouldn’t have been able to pass a school budget on June 7.”

Cookson also thanked Despres’ wife, Jayne, who is a councilor, for her understanding in allowing him to participate in the stressful, time-consuming process.

“We are grateful for the countless hours you spent after work and during weekends and vacations, both on your own and with the school board, working the figures,” Cookson added.

“I know you always had one goal in mind, which was keeping this town on a positive track. The people of Livermore Falls should be extremely grateful and proud to have you working for the town.”

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