Malcolm D. Toothaker

1919-2015

Malcolm (Macky) Durwood Toothaker, 96 of Portland, and formerly of Avon, passed away on April 13, 2015 – 96 years of age and having a wonderful life. “A gentle man known by his gentle deeds.”

Born in East Madrid on April 9, 1919 to Fred and Angie (Pease) Toothaker, he attended schools in Phillips and graduated from Phillips High School in 1939. He and his twin brother Maurice (Monty) Toothaker were national track runners, winning many trophies and medals in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island and competing locally.

After high school and during the war Macky, being an avid gardener, picked 530 lbs. of beans in one day for the family of soldiers that had gone to war.

He was a member of Maine Home Guard, a 55-year member of “Mt Blue Lodge 67” of Phillips, Phillips Congregational Church, The President Director of Shadagee Housing Development and Chairman of Phillips Senior Citizens.

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Macky was a lumberman for several years, machinist, carpenter and a mason of stonewalls of which he built many in Franklin County and for his son in Portland. At 82 years old he decided to build his last one. Always an outdoors man, he enjoyed fishing, walking on his wood lots and looking for stones(rocks) for his walls. He also played a great deal of cards with family and friends.

Macky married Beverley Greenleaf of Auburn on Dec. 4, 1953. Together they enjoyed their family and friends at gatherings at their cottage in Madrid, son’s home in Freeport and cruising and traveling. As a grandfather he was present at both his grandsons’ sports games, and even at his great granddaughter’s games and singing performances.

He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Doris Williamson of Orid, New York, twin brother Maurice (Monty) Toothaker, half-brothers Maurice B. Toothaker and Roger Welts.

Macky is survived by his wife of 61 years, Beverly, daughter Sonya T. Wilkins of South Portland, son Randall T. Scott of South Portland and son Crandall K. Toothaker and his life partner Frank Cloutier of Portland, grandson Tyson Wilkins and partner Monica Swan of South Portland, grandson Troy Wilkins of South Portland, great granddaughter Taja Wilkins of South Portland, close friend Kenneth Wilkins, sister-in-law Laura Toothaker, both of Phillips, brother-in- law Wesley Williamson of Chesire, Mass., sister in law Theresa Greenleaf of Auburn and many nieces, nephews and special friends.

The Toothaker and Wilkins family wish to express their gratitude and thanks to VNA Hospice and all those who helped care for Macky.

Visiting hours are from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday April 15, 2015. The funeral took place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland, ME. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hobbs-funeralhome.com.

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In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Malcolm’s name to: Franklin County Animal Shelter, 550 Industry Rd., Farmington, ME 04938.

Collis Willard Ames

1931-2015

Collis Willard Ames (Sid), 84, of Farmington passed peacefully from a long illness on April 11, 2015 with his children and grandchildren by his side at the Hospice and Palliative Care Unit, Togus, Maine.

He was born Nov. 23, 1931 in Farmington the son of Carlton and Cassie (Nile) Ames. He attended Farmington Schools but never graduated with his senior class due to being drafted into the Marine Corps with two of his high school friends.

In 1953 he returned home to Laguna Beach, California where he married Katheryn (Allen) Ames also from Farmington. He lived in Manchester, Maine where he worked, and retired, as a first class Lineman for 38 years from Central Maine Power in Augusta.

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Collis’ hobbies and passions included the outdoors, hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, and snowmobiling. He could always be found with his son and friends at his camp in Strong. Collis was a huge sports fan and tried to never miss a Boston Red Sox game on TV. Collis was a member of the Manchester Lions Club, Register Trappers Association, and a Maine Guide. In April 2014 he was honored with the Remember Me Award.

Collis is survived by his son Scott Ames of Randolf; daughter Carrie Aubin and her husband Matthew of Farmington; two great grandchildren and three grandchildren, Justin Parker of Farmington, Cassie Grey of Farmingdale, and Joslyn Ames of Augusta.

NOTICE: Ames, Collis Willard (Sid) 4/11/2015 Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 1 p.m. at Adams-McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Services, 108 Court St., Farmington. Those wishing may make donations in Collis’ name to the Mt. Blue High School Sports Boosters for the benefit of Mt. Blue Softball, 129 Seamon Rd., Farmington, ME 04938. Condolences may be sent for the family at www.adamsmcfarlane.com.

Beatrice Carter

1920-2015

Beatrice Carter, 95, passed away on April 11, 2015 at the home of her son Dale E. Carter in Farmington, Maine.

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Bea was born in Pembroke, Maine on March 28, 1920, the daughter of Harold B. and Alice (Brown) Rose. She attended Pembroke schools and graduated from Pembroke High School. She married Styles E. Carter. They later resided in Hartford, Conn. for a brief period during WWII.

She was employed by Pratt and Whitney. They later returned to Pembroke, Maine. In 1954, she began a career with the U.S. Postal Service. She retired as Post Master after nearly 29 years.

In 1996, she moved to Presque Isle with her son. Years later, they relocated to Farmington, Maine.

She was predeceased by her husband, Styles A. Carter; a sister, Alma Rose, and brother, Newell Rose.

She is survived by one son, Dale and his wife Faye; two grandsons, Dale. Jr. and Jonathan Carter and his wife, Shelley; three great grandsons, Justin, Joshua, and Jacob Carter; a great granddaughter, Willow Carter; and several nieces and nephews.

She was a long time member of the People’s Church of Pembroke. At her request, there will be no services. Following cremation, interment will be at Clark Side Cemetery in Pembroke, Maine. Remembrance gifts in memory of Bea may be made to Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, 15 Strawberry Ave., Lewiston, ME 04240.

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Robert Henry Scherpf

1929-2015

Robert Henry Scherpf, “Bob”, 85, of Livermore, Maine, died on Friday, April 10, 2015, at the Veterans Administration Hospice in Augusta, Maine after a brief illness.

Born in New York City on Oct. 7, 1929 as the son of Alfred H. Scherpf (a New York City Firefighter) and Julia A. Scherpf. Bob worked at Dunn’s Farm in Vermont from the ages of 14 to 18. He graduated from William Cullen Bryant High School in New York City in 1947 and entered the U.S. Air Force in 1948. Stationed in Rapid City, South Dakota, and always a proud American, Bob enjoyed his time with the Air Force until 1952, specializing in Artillery School and Photography School.

In 1953, Bob joined Troop B of the New York State Troopers Association, where he met his wife, Constance Helen Wells, in Port Henry, NY. While in New York, Bob joined Masonic Lodge #816. Bob and Connie were married in 1954 and moved to Wilton, Maine in 1958. Bob worked in the paper industry from 1958 until his retirement from International Paper in 1987.

During his time spent in Wilton, Bob was very civically active with town politics and the school board, overseeing the planning and construction of Mt. Blue High School in Farmington, Maine. He carried his political opinions proudly, was an avid reader, and continued to write and call his State representatives in Congress up until earlier this year. In his free time, he enjoyed gardening, hunting, enjoying the outdoors, and being a good and helpful neighbor to his many friends and family. He particularly enjoyed coaching young athletes and always found a special place for those in need.

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He participated in the Maine State Moose Hunt in 2010 and was proud to bring home a moose with his sons, son-in-law, and nephew. In recent years, his favorite pastimes included reading, being politically educated, and interacting and singing with his grandchildren as much as possible.

Bob is survived by his four children – daughter Diane and husband Gary Corson of New Sharon, Maine; son Bob and wife Rhonda and grandchildren Ryan and Karli of Kensington, New Hampshire; daughter Bethany and husband Peter Rushton of North Belgrade, Maine; and son Scott of Etna, Maine. He is also survived by his brother Donald Scherpf and his wife Mildred of Bradenton, Florida; his nephew, Kim Odell of Vermont; as well as many other nieces and nephews.

Bob was predeceased by his folks; his wife, Connie; his sisters Grace S. Odell and Barbara S. Todd.

SCHERPF – died, at TOGUS, 4/10/15, Robert H. Scherpf, “Bob”, 85, of Livermore. Family and friends are invited to call Friday evening, April 17, from 6-8 p.m. at the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Rd., (Rtes. 2 & 27) Farmington where public Masonic Services will be held at 7:30 p.m., conducted by Wilton Masonic Lodge #156. Funeral services, with full military honors by the US Air Force, will be held Saturday morning, April 18, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Richard Waddell officiating.

Following services, a reception will be held at the Center. All are welcome. Spring committal services will be held Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Lakeview Cemetery, Wilton. Remembrance gifts may be given in Bob’s name to the Maine Veterans’ Home, ATT: HOSPICE, 310 Cony Rd., Augusta, ME 04330. Tributes and condolences may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.

Harold Alton Adams

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1927-2015

Harold Alton Adams, 87, passed away at his beloved home on Perham Hill on April 14, 2015, after living a long, happy life.

He was born on Aug. 9, 1927 in Industry, the son of Hartland and Lucille (Kennedy) Adams. Harold was educated in the schools of Farmington and a graduate of the Mallett School. He married Kathleen Blaisdell in 1948 and they raised five children.

Harold was a 22-year employee of the Town of Farmington. He retired in 1984 in the capacity of Superintendent of the Highway Department. Harold enjoyed riding his ATV, snowmobiling, camping and helping his sons with their businesses.

He is survived by his five children, Bruce Adams and wife Maureen of Jay, Dennis Adams of Farmington, Debra (Adams) Martin of New Vineyard, Cathy (Adams) Ward of Hosperce, Iowa, Gregory Adams and wife Andrea of Avon; his sisters, Beulah Libby of Fairfield, Linda Martin and husband Bill of Oakland; his brother, Rodney Adams of Farmington; several nieces and nephews; and a very special companion, Mary Millet.

He was predeceased by; the mother of his children, Kathleen, in 2003; his second wife, Nellie (Welch) Adams, in 1986; his parents; his sister, Joyce Lovell; his brother, Roland Adams.

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Donations in Harold’s memory may be sent to the Northern Lites Snowmobile Club, PO Box 857, Farmington, ME 04938.

At Harold’s request there will be no visiting hours. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 11:00 am with Rev. John Gensel officiating at Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington, ME 04938. Interment will be at a later date at the Fairview Cemetery in Farmington.

Rodney C. Richard, Sr.

1929-2015

Rodney C. Richard, Sr., one of Maine’s finest traditional artists, died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his family, on April 14, 2015, in Farmington. Born on Nov. 13, 1929, to William J. and Abbie (Calden) Richard of Phillips, he dedicated his life to his family and to the preservation of his logging heritage in the western Maine mountains.

After graduation from Phillips High School in 1948, he worked in the woods with his father and other local men. A forward thinker, he bought the first chain saw in the Phillips area, an IEL Pioneer. He entered the United States Army in 1951 during the Korean War and served in both the United States and Germany. He took leave to marry his sweetheart, Lucille Haley, on Sept. 20, 1951, in Rangeley.

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After his Army service, he and Mrs. Richard settled in Rangeley. Mr. Richard worked in the woods, cutting and hauling with horses. Then, in 1954, he bought a second-hand John Deere MC crawler tractor. In 1964, he began working on roads for Brown Company, at first, sanding them.

Then, he began his own gravel business for roads work. In 1965, he bought his first skidder. He worked with Seven Islands for three years beginning in 1977 in their experimental logging program, thinning woodlots. In 1978, he sold his gravel business and went into logging full-time, helped by his sons and local men such as Earl Ross. In 1990, after selling much of his larger equipment in 1986, he retired from logging.

For Mr. Richard, the cultural history of logging in western Maine was a vital concern, and he worked to share it with others. In 1979, with a group of friends, relatives, and fellow loggers, he founded the Rangeley Lakes Region Logging Museum. He had begun thinking about a museum, though, in the 1960s; and he collected the first item for it, a snubbing machine, in 1968 when a Brown Company foreman was about to pitch the machine over a bank. He kept adding to his collection, storing everything at home until donations and hard work made it possible to begin building the Museum in Dallas Plantation in 1988. The Logging Festival and parade that he and Museum volunteers began grew to the largest event in Rangeley.

Mr. Richard’s traditional wood carving grew seamlessly out of his life’s experiences. Mr. Richard learned to carve from his father, William, a woodsman and a master artist who carved tools, toys, and the rare, traditional sculptures known as fan towers. Young Rodney carved his own toys, and more, with a jackknife. His first chain saw sculpture was a beaver, meant to entertain his lively group of Boy Scouts on a camping trip along the Kennebago River. He went on to carve almost everything he was asked to do: bears, squirrels, beavers, cougars, dogs, snow machines, fishermen, and much, much more. Maine black bears, though, was his specialty, and he carved them in an array of poses: standing, dancing, sniffing the air, and more. “Anything I can imagine in my mind,” he often said, “I can put in the wood.”

His carvings grace the streets and gathering places in the Rangeley region: his “Bear” greets customers at Parkside & Main Restaurant, for example, and his “Good Shepherd” welcomes worshippers to the Church of the Good Shepherd. Above all, his “Bear Chasing a Man up a Tree” that hangs on the balm-of-gilead tree in the yard of his family’s home is a Rangeley landmark.

His carvings are displayed throughout the United States. His “Fisherman Looking Out to Sea,” for example, stands in Point Park, Joppatown, Maryland; his “Minuteman” stands at attention in the National Guard Armory in Asheville, North Carolina; and his “Virgin Mary” graces the St. John of Vienno Church on Vashon Island, Washington.

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Mr. Richard delighted strangers and friends by giving away his trademark “bunnies,” hand-carved rabbits about one-half-inch in size. “Do something nice for someone else,” he would say, “that will take you about ten minutes”—just the time it took him to make one rabbit. He gave away well over 30,000 bunnies. He and his family set up the “Mad Whittler Shop on their Main Street property and warmly welcomed many Rangeley visitors there, sharing history and stories of the woods.

Mr. Richard’s art received national and international recognition. He was invited three times to the Smithsonian Institution’s Folklife Festival on the National Mall in Washington, DC: 1976, 1983, and 2005. He also carved at the National Folk Festival in Lowell, Massachusetts; the Northwest Folk Festival in Seattle; the International Folk Festival in Archangel, Russia; and the 1993 Inauguration of President Bill Clinton. Mr. Richard’s work has appeared nationally in museum exhibits in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC, and internationally in Romania, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Russia, and Poland. He exhibited for the Stihl Company in 1980, and a year later, he changed to Poulan. He has been the subject of numerous articles, and is the subject of a book, in progress.

In 1987, Mr. Richard received the first Marshall Dodge Traditional Artist Award at the Maine Festival for promoting traditional arts in Maine. Ten years later, he received the Governor’s Service Award: Roll of Honor for Volunteerism. In 1993 and 2001, the Maine Arts Commission awarded him the Maine Traditional Arts Apprenticeship, and he worked with his son, wood carver Rodney, Jr.

A generous citizen of Rangeley and beyond, he founded the Mad Whittler Scholarship in 1983 and donated money to a Rangeley Regional School graduate to further their education; the first recipient was John Fitzgerald. A major supporter of The Giving Tree, he carved the angel for the first year’s event in honor of his former niece Mary Ellen Richardson in 1988. Mr. Richard also belonged to American Legion Post 120 and led Boy Scout Troop #579 for many years. He served on the Traditional Arts Advisory panel of the Maine Arts Commission. Fond of teaching, he demonstrated carving and spoke in many school and college classrooms from Maine to Virginia. Many other woodcarvers and traditional artists, such as poet Gaylon “Jeep” Wilcox of Rangeley, consider Mr. Richard a mentor and source of inspiration.

Mr. Richard enjoyed life in the mountains. He was an avid downhill skier and a passionate golfer. He also spent many happy days fishing, hunting, and camping; and he loved to visit with friends over games of bingo and cribbage.

Mr. Richard was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Lucille (Haley) Richard, and by his brothers Allan Richard of Mexico and Mortimer Richard of Phillips. He is survived by his sons: Rodney C. Richard, Jr., and his wife Lenita of Pownal; John Richard of Rangeley; and Stephen Richard and his companion, Mary Garboski, of Rangeley; his brother Lewis Richard and his sister Winona (Richard) Davenport, both of Phillips, and his sister-in-law Jennie (McLafferty) Richard of Mexico; his many close friends all over the world; and his many, dear young friends who were like grandchildren to him, especially Meredith and David Hunter of Milton, Mass. Tributes and condolences may be shared by visiting www.wilesrc.com.

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RICHARD—died, at Farmington, Tuesday, April 14, 2015, Rodney C. Richard Sr., of Rangeley. Relatives and friends are invited to call, Friday, April 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. from the Church of the Good Shepherd (upper chapel), 2614 Main St., Rangeley, ME 04970. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 18 at 1 p.m. from the Church of the Good Shepherd in Rangeley. Interment with full military honors will take place on Saturday, May 30th at 10 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery in Rangeley. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to these charities: Church of the Good Shepherd, Episcopal, Rangeley (P.O. Box 156, Rangeley, ME 04970); Rangeley Region Health Appointment Transportation Program (RRHAT, Town of Rangeley, 15 School St., Rangeley, ME 04970); and Golf Opportunities for Children (c/o Skowhegan Savings Bank, 124 Main St., Phillips, ME 04966). Funeral services are being cared for and provided by Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington, ME 04938.

Margaret Smith Pierce

1949-2015

Margaret Smith Pierce, 65, of Mercer, died Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at her home surrounded by her family. Beloved daughter of Mary and the late Hugh Smith, she was born Aug. 20, 1949. Known to everyone as Peg, she grew up in Topsham, Maine on the banks of the Androscoggin River. She often spoke of her very happy childhood with her brothers and sister, and many visits to Moosehead Lake.

Peg graduated from Brunswick High School in 1967, and the University of Maine at Orono in 1971 with a BA in English.

Peg was treasured by her husband of 43 years, Nick Pierce, who lovingly cared for her throughout her cancer battle. She met Nick at Moosehead Lake in the summer of 1971, and always said that it was love at first sight. They married in June 1972. Together they built a beautiful home in Mercer and raised three daughters: Kathryn Stroman of Mercer, Mary Moreno of Gorham, and Rebecca Lafaialii of Mercer. Peg’s daughters cherished and admired their mother and are immeasurably grateful for her love and guidance.

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Peg was a skilled gardener of vegetables and flowers, a classical music enthusiast, a talented seamstress and knitter, and a superb baker of bread and rolls. She also loved birds, maintaining multiple bird feeders and a substantial life list of birds that she had seen in her yard. Peg taught kindergarten for MSAD 54 for many years, and she had a passion for early childhood education and the many children who passed through her classroom.

In recent years, Peg’s delight in life was her four grandchildren: Asa, Savea, Elsie, and Margaret. In return, they adored her. Peg was also a natural athlete, and she enjoyed weekly yoga classes, cross-country skiing, walking with her Decker Road friends, kayaking, hiking and biking. She fostered a love of being active outdoors in her children and grandchildren.

Warm, compassionate and patient, and also frugal, witty, and strong, Peg will be profoundly missed by her family and many friends. She is survived by her mother, husband, daughters, grandchildren, brothers, great aunts, nieces & nephews, as well as many cousins.

NOTICE : A remembrance visitation will be held on Sunday, April 19 from 2-5 p.m. at Adams-McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Svc., 108 Court Street in Farmington, Maine. Instead of flowers, please send donations to the children’s collection at Farmington Public Library at 117 Academy St., Farmington, ME 04938. Condolences may be sent for the family at www.adamsmcfarlane.com


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