1928 – 2014

AUGUSTA — Arthur T. Chase, 85, a lifelong resident of Fayette, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, May 28, at Gray Birch Rehabilitation Center.

He was born to Russell M. and Irma (Pratt) Chase on Dec. 29, 1928, at the family home. He was the fifth generation of the Chase family in Fayette. His grandfather purchased the home after returning from the Civil War in 1877, from SHJ Berry. Arthur lived there his entire life and continued to farm the same 105 acres as his father and grandfather. He raised Herefords and also boarded horses for the nearby camps.

Arthur was educated at Fayette Corner School, graduated from Livermore Falls High School in 1946, and continued his education at the University of Maine. He married Patricia Enstedt in 1951, and they had two daughters, Ilse and Roberta. On May 16, 1969, in Augusta, he married Elaine Knight; they recently celebrated their 45th anniversary.

Arthur began working for International Paper in 1948, and he worked at both the Otis and Androscoggin mills in Jay. He retired from the mill in 1987. After his retirement, he went to work at Damon’s in Augusta, until his second retirement in 2000.

He was a member of the International Paper Quarter Century Club, the Antique Car Club and the Fayette Historical Society. He was a wonderful source of stories and tales about the town of Fayette and was known in town as the “Fayette Historian.” He also served on various committees for the town; he served as selectman in the 1960s, worked on the road commission, helped plan the new school and was a volunteer firefighter. Due to Arthur’s devoted service throughout the years, the town dedicated the Fayette 2008 Annual Town Report in his honor.

Arthur enjoyed watching the news, weather and quiz shows, but he especially loved driving around, going for rides and socializing.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine Chase, of Fayette; daughters, Ilse Mercier and her husband, Donald, of Livermore Falls and Roberta Louise Bettencourt and her partner, Gary Dexter, of Bethlehem, N.H.; three grandchildren, Jennifer Shorette and her husband, Andrew, Russell Scheller and his wife, Sierra, and James Bettencourt and his wife, Katie; great-grandchildren, Alexandra and Austin Shorette; two stepsons, Eric Hubley of Lewiston and Lee Hubley and his wife, Constance, of North Monmouth; stepdaughter, Lynne Barry, of West Gardiner; and seven stepgrandchildren, Lisa Pierce and her husband, Todd, Trista Barry and Casey, Kevin, Jessica, Scott and Seth Hubley; three great-grandchildren, Brianna Bolduc and Benjamin and Sam Pierce; and great-great-grandson, Eben Pierce.

He was predeceased by his parents and his stepgrandson, Michael Bolduc.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.finleyfuneralhome.com.