LEWISTON – Rufus Prince, 86, died Dec. 22 at d’Youville Pavilion, following a long illness.

Born in Auburn, Oct. 9, 1918, the son of Rufus and Elsie Waterman Prince, he was educated in Turner schools and graduated from Leavitt Institute in 1936.

He was an apple grower in Turner for most of his adult life, after working as a cook in resort hotels and serving a six-year hitch in the U.S. Navy from 1940 to 1945.

For many years, he served as town meeting moderator. He was also a member of the town and district school boards and special municipal committees, a trustee of Leavitt Institute, two cemeteries and the Ministerial and Grammar School Fund and was active in state agricultural organizations.

He was past president of the Maine Pomological Society, a four-year appointee of the Maine State Board of Pesticides Control, was a mason for more than 60 years, and a member of the Unitarian/Universalist Congregation.

His lifelong dream culminated in 2000 with the publication of Turner, Maine,’ a history of his hometown.

Survivors include his wife, Katherine Farmer Prince; children, Donald Prince and his wife, Jeanne, of Turner, Norma P. Zimmer and her husband, Al, of Stanford, Mont., and Harold Prince and his wife, Sandra, of Turner; a foster daughter, Connie Hersey Dick and her family of Sabattus; a sister, Annette P. Leavitt; a brother, Roger O. Prince; grandchildren, Amy Prince, Jason Prince, Matthew Prince, Rebekah Zimmer and Ethan Zimmer; and great-grandchildren, Nathan and Michaela Prince.

He was predeceased by three brothers, Allan W., E. Carl, and Charles E. Prince.