1933 – 2015

NORWAY — Eugene Chandler, 81, formerly of Mechanic Falls, died Monday, March 2, at Stephens Memorial Hospital, with his family by his side.

He was born in Madison on Aug. 8, 1933, a son of H. Burke and Edna Hilton Chandler. He was a graduate of Madison High School in 1952, a graduate of Hebron Academy in 1953, and attended the University of Maine.

During his school days, he worked for Koritsky Clothing Store and picked up equipment from home funerals for Edwards Funeral Home. Following graduation, he worked for Casco Bank and Trust in Portland and Depositors Trust in Madison.

On Nov. 25, 1959, he married Arlene E. Salisbury of Canaan. They moved to Lewiston, then to Mechanic Falls in February 1960, where he was assistant manager, then manager of Depositors Trust Co. In 1966, he went to work for Gallant-Raymond Funeral Home, now Chandler Funeral Homes and Cremation Service.

He was one of the original trustees of Elm Street School, before it was turned over to the town of Mechanic Falls. For the past 24 years, he was secretary of Tyrian Lodge No. 73 AF & AM and secretary of St. Andrews Chapter, RAC. He was a former trustee and served as clerk of the board of trustees of the Community Health Center in Poland for 21 years. He was a member of the U.C.T.

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For 27 years, he worked with many others to put together the Mechanic Falls homecoming parade and the special parade honoring solo sailor Bill Dunlop. He and Mrs. Chandler were honored as the parade marshals. He and Mrs. Chandler had also been active in the Cub Scouts in Mechanic Falls.

He was a former member of the Mechanic Falls, Minot and Poland Lions Club, in which he served as president and secretary. He was a former member of the First Congregational Church of Mechanic Falls and served on the board of deacons and on the Parish Council of the Oxford Congregational and First Congregational churches. He was also a member of the First Congregational Church in South Paris.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Arlene Chandler, of Norway; his son, Dana E. Chandler and his wife, Patricia, of South Paris; his daughter, Elizabeth Smith and her husband, Wesley, of Norway; a brother, Douglass W. Chandler and his wife, Margaret, of Fairfield, Conn.; grandchildren, Marc R. Chandler and his companion, Amanda Hanning, Kate McCrossan and her husband, Patrick, Stephanie Jones and her companion, Chad Toothaker, Reba E. Smith and her fiancé, Kyle McAllister, Wesley Smith and his fianceé, Jessica Warren, Tony Smith and his fianceé, Amber Stanley, and Troy Smith; eight great-grandchildren with one on the way; four nieces and three nephews.

Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.


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