By Doug Fletcher,Sun Journal News Staff

AUBURN – Everett A. Trask, a former city councilor and one-time Army medic who fought against the Germans in World War II’s Battle of the Bulge before joining in the United States occupation of Japan, died Tuesday at the Maine Medical Center in Portland.

He was 82.

Trask served two terms as an Auburn city councilor and another two as a school board member. He also sat on the city’s Board of Appeals and as an Auburn Water District trustee.

“He was always ready when you needed him,” said former Mayor Harry W. Woodard Jr., who served with Trask. In fact, Woodard noted Wednesday night, Trask served as a sort of “acting mayor” for two to three weeks when Woodard was hospitalized for a time.

Woodard said Trask offered his constituents solid representation when it came to municipal matters.

“He spoke his mind, and he did a good job,” Woodard said.

The two were also active Masons together, both serving at one time or another as masters of the local lodge.

Trask, who went on to become a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason, would often take on difficult parts of the Masonic rituals to ensure they were done right, Woodard said.

Trask had joined the Army shortly after graduating from Edward Little High School in 1942. After the war and his return to civilian life, he enrolled in pharmacy school and became a drug salesman. He also owned and operated the Minot Country Store for several years in the early 1950s.

Besides his public service and Masonic activities, Trask was an avid skier, enjoyed bowling and was known for his skills as a carpenter and electrician.

He leaves his wife, Jane, three daughters and six grandchildren.

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