1920 – 2013

AUBURN — Thomas C. Bragg, 92, passed away Sunday, Oct. 20, surrounded by his loving family and friends at the Hospice House.

He was born in Hartford on Nov. 27, 1920, the third child of Harrison and Mary Ellen (Darrington) Bragg and attended schools in Buckfield. On Jan. 3 1940, he married his loving wife of 69 years, Iva Farris Bragg. Tom owned and lived in the same house on Bonney Road in Sumner for more than 65 years.

He worked at various jobs, including lumberjack, carpenter, heavy equipment operator and was the road commissioner in Sumner for 20 years. Thomas served as sexton for more than 40 years at Elmwood Cemetery, where he mowed the whole cemetery only last week.

He was an active member of the Union Grange and the Congregational Church of East Sumner, serving as trustee and deacon.

Thomas thoroughly enjoyed hunting, gardening, making and peddling maple syrup, and fishing. He was always quick to tell stories about his Canadian fishing trip and fishing at Spider Lake. Tom also shot one of the biggest bucks his sons had ever seen (not weighed, but eaten). He was known for his hugs, especially to all the grandchildren in his life: 29 grand, 53 greats and 14 great-greats.

He is survived by eight children, Rosemary Henderson and husband, Edison Sr., Helen Jordon, David Bragg and his wife, Brenda, Violet Enman and husband, Randall, Marie Curtis and husband, Albert Sr., Frank Bragg, Christopher Bragg and wife, Peggy and Jennifer Clark and husband, Robert; daughter-in-law, Lucy Wilcox and husband, Glen; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren; and many niece and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Iva; one brother, Charles Bragg; four sisters, Velma Ellingwood, Grace Keene, Mildred Bragg and Doris Buchannen; one sister-in-law, Maxine Pope; six children, James, Beryl Joline, Joyce Verna, Thomas Jr., Edward and Richard; one son-in-law, Wallace Haynes; two grandchildren, baby boy Bragg and Amy Bragg; and one great-grandson, Jared Henderson.

Tom will be sorely missed by his family, friends and acquaintances. Tom’s nickname was “Crop” and his wife, Iva’s, nickname was “Maude.”