RUMFORD – Richard Ellsworth Haines, 73, of Peru died Sept. 1 at Rumford Hospital.
He was born in Houlton, June 19, 1936, the son of Verna Haines McGill and received his education in New Brunswick schools. He graduated from high school as class valedictorian in 1954.
He was a former member of the Army National Guard and worked as a self-employed diesel mechanic for many years. He worked at Hilltop Body Shop in Jay for several years, Chadbourne’s Mill,and at O’Donald’s Express as a truck driver. He was an accomplished bluegrass musician and played in the Pine Tree Bluegrass Band with his son, Carl, and also with the Shiloh Mountain Boys. He offered music lessons and stringed instrument repairs as well.
Mr. Haines enjoyed hunting, motorcycle trips to New Brunswick on his Harley, and attending bluegrass festivals. He was a member of the Bluegrass Association of Maine and the Dixfield Congregational Church.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Cynthia (Durrell) Haines of Peru, whom he married June 28, 1980, in Dixfield; daughters, Deborah Peterson and her husband, Bob, of Calif., Laura Pepin and her companion, Doug Duguay, of Dixfield, Lorraine Clukey and her husband, John, of Poland, Karen Shaw and her husband, Troy, of New Gloucester, and Janet Haines of Peru; sons, Billy Haines and his wife, Darlene, of Florida, Jimmy Haines of Massachusetts, Earl Haines of Farmington, N.H., Carl Haines and his wife, Lauren, of Farmington, N.H.; a special cousin, Charlotte Soloway of Rhode Island; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his mother and a son, Richard W. Haines.

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