LEWISTON – Keith Huggard Ingraham, 79, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., changed worlds on Dec. 27, in the Lewiston home of his daughter and son-in-law, Dolly and Richard Bois.

Keith loved his life but was not afraid to die. His had a wonderful life by any measure, with a 61-year marriage, a devoted family, many friends, professional success and a long, happy Florida retirement. His only regret about his life was that it wasn’t longer.

He was born on Jan. 13, 1929, in Sherman Mills, son of Arthur and Clistie Merry Ingraham. His beloved mother died when he was 15. He showed his grit early, when his father remarried and moved away.

He wanted to finish high school, so he took a job shoveling potatoes one day a week to pay for his board. Even though he could only go for four days a week, he made the most of high school. He was president of his class, won the county-wide American Legion speech contest and played basketball and baseball.

He liked to tell people he graduated in the top 20 of his class, then smile and point out there were 19 graduates in the Sherman High School class of 1946. Also in the class of 1946, was the love of his life, Madeline Kennedy. They married on Nov. 7, 1947, and cherished every day together.

Ambitious and determined to leave Aroostook County poverty behind, he held two or three jobs at a time before establishing his own business in Brewer. He drove a bus for the Bangor and Aroostook, before moving to Bangor where he sold real estate in the day and worked for the Maine Central Railroad from 3 to 11 at night. In 1963, he established the K.H. Ingraham Moving Co., representing North American Van Lines.

He was a lifelong Democrat who cared deeply about social justice. While at the railroad, he was union shop steward for the Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks. He was equally committed to community service. Very active in the Jaycees, he was named Brewer’s Outstanding Young Man in 1963. Outgoing and charming, he enjoyed public life and began his political career as president of the Brewer P.T.A. He’d attended his daughter’s junior high school open house and was outraged to see paper stored under stairwells in the old wooden building. He made sure a sprinkler system was installed. He then served two terms on the Brewer City Council, was president of the Brewer Library Association, vice president of the state of Maine Jaycees, vice president of the Bangor-Brewer Kiwanis, president of the Industrial Management Club and a director of the Brewer Chamber of Commerce.

Active in the Democratic Party, he was part of Bill Hathaway’s Congressional campaigns as well as Ken Curtis’s gubernatorial races. Following Curtis’s election in 1966, he was appointed to the Maine State Liquor Commission and moved to Augusta. When the Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages was established, Keith became the first director. He was responsible for 100 stores with 400 employees and a multi-million dollar budget. His attempts to run a state agency like a business made for an interesting and controversial tenure. He put his values into action in 1973, denying a liquor license to the Elks Club, whose by-laws forbade non-white members. He was proud that his decision held up in the U.S. Supreme Court and that the club had to change its rules. After leaving state government in 1978, he moved to Lewiston. Keith became a liquor broker, representing several liquor importers and distillers until his retirement. He was also active in the Lewiston-Auburn Kiwanis Club.

Although he always worked hard, he had lots of fun, too. He loved playing on the Curtis All-Stars softball team, rode a motorcycle, and enjoyed his boat and snowmobile. He loved to play poker, meet new people and listen to Glenn Miller.

He looked forward to baseball season every year. He was quick-witted, loved telling stories and always maintained a lively interest in the world.

He was still curious about how things like digital cameras worked and passionately followed the presidential election.

He believed that building a new house was one of the best things in life and moved many times. He’d develop ideas for improving his current home, then sell it and build another one. His daughter Dolly recalls, “When he built our house on Lake Maranacook in Readfield, dad did all the wiring and plumbing himself using manuals he’d ordered from Sears. He was very clever.”

He thoroughly enjoyed his retirement in Port St.Lucie, Fla. He loved the weather, the palm trees, the bougainvillea, the minor league baseball and especially his neighborhood friends. Continuing his commitment to public service, he trained as a mediator and was recognized for his volunteer contributions to Florida’s 19th Judicial Court.

He loved children and was a wonderful father and grandfather. Christmas was always fun as he made wild guesses about what was in every package. But his gifts went well beyond the material. Daughter Belinda recalls his bringing her to places such as the Bangor Water District so she’d have an understanding of how the world worked. “Dad also wanted us to be comfortable with public speaking, so he went over every lesson from his Dale Carnegie course with me and later encouraged Dolly to enroll in Toastmasters.” When Keith started his brokerage company, Dolly became a partner.

Keith and Madeline brought granddaughter Heather along on their retirement cross-country motor home trip in 1991. She remembers, “Grampy so loved to travel and meet new people, and shared his joy of exploring with me. Of the many places we visited together, the majesty of the Grand Canyon was his favorite. I am so thankful that he taught me to always keep learning and to broaden my horizons.”

He couldn’t afford to attend college himself but was determined that his girls would. He made their education a priority and was very proud that his daughters and granddaughter all earned master’s degrees. And he was deeply happy to see them all in strong, loving marriages.

He is survived by his wife Madeline; daughter Belinda; and son-in-law, Christopher Snell of Scarborough; daughter Dolly and son-in-law, Richard Bois, of Lewiston; granddaughter Heather Bois and husband, Eric Bruskin, of Boston; and great-granddaughter Abby Madeleine Bruskin, all of whom brought great joy to his life. He dearly loved his dog Tia, his loyal companion for 11 years and a comfort during his last months. Keith’s twin brother, Kermit, of Skowhegan, visited faithfully and they happily swapped stories about their childhood on the farm. Also surviving are his sister, Jeannette Spearin of Westport, Conn.; and several nieces and nephews. Nephew Frank and wife, Lynda Ingraham, of Benedicta were steadfast throughout Keith’s illness as were his wonderful friends in Port St. Lucie. Keith’s many dear friends in Maine also brightened his days.

He was predeceased by his parents and older brother Glenn.

Keith very much appreciated the excellent care and kindness of Dr. Thomas Meek and staff, as well as his wonderful home health nurse Lori Fish. The family is grateful for the invaluable help of Lisa Prevost, as well as the Androscoggin Hospice staff, all of whom made it possible for Keith to finish his life at home.