Frederick “Fred” W. Hardy

1930-2015

Fred Hardy passed away at MMC in Portland on July 4 surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Waterville, Maine on Feb. 13th, 1930 to Joseph W. Hardy, Jr. and Clara “Mabel” (Hobbs) Noonan. He was educated in the schools of Farmington and Wilton, graduating from Wilton Academy, Class of 1948. He was raised on his grandfather’s farm on Perham Hill in Farmington and later moved to a small farm purchased by his father in East Wilton. He was also employed at the Smith farm in East Wilton all through high school.

He was married to Phyllis Chase of Dixfield from July of 1949 until she passed away in April of 2001. In 1960, they purchased a farm in New Sharon on the Perham Hill Road (now Weeks Mills Road), where they raised four children, Tamara, Earl, Lloyd, and Joyce.

In 1960, Fred was employed at Farmington Shoe Company as a production worker and five years later was promoted to foreman. He was employed there for 17 years while he and his family established a herd of registered Holsteins. In 1977 he left Farmington Shoe to manage his dairy farm full time. A lifetime goal had been achieved! Fred continued in the dairy industry until 1992 when he sold the cows to his eldest son, Earl. In August 2007 he married Ruby Tracy.

Fred had served, and was still active on many boards and committees. He was past President and the current Treasurer for the Maine Dairy Industry Association; a former Executive Board Member of the Franklin County Extension Association; a past President and Secretary of Franklin County Chapter of National Farmers of America; a past Secretary of Maine Milk Producers, Inc.; an Executive Member of the Maine Association of Conservation Districts and a member of the Board of Directors of Franklin County Farm Bureau.

In 1994 he was appointed by Governor McKernan to represent Maine on the Northeast Dairy Compact. In 1998 he was re-appointed by Governor King and served until the compact expired in 2001. In January of 2004, he was awarded the Commissioner’s Distinguished Service Award from the Maine Department of Agriculture Commissioner Robert Spear. At the time of his death he was also a board member of Northstar Ambulance and an Executive Board member of Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments (AVCOG).

His civil service included four years on the New Sharon Planning Board (Chair 1990); four years as Selectman/Assessor of New Sharon and four years representing New Sharon on the Franklin County Budget Committee. From 1992 until present, Fred served as District 2 Franklin County Commissioner. He was also a member of the Farmington Rotary Club at the time of his passing.

Fred was predeceased by his parents, a younger sister, Geneva, and his first wife, Phyllis. He was also predeceased by a brother, Gordon Fletcher, and sisters, Marjorie (Jean) Essman, and Ruth Hall. He is survived by his loving wife, Ruby, children, Tammy Damren, Earl Hardy, Lloyd Hardy and his wife, April, and Joyce McCaslin and her husband, Michael; brothers, Clarence Hardy, William Hardy and wife, Lona, Douglas Fletcher, Rev. James Fletcher and wife, Paula, and sister, Barbara Linnell; grandchildren, Conrad Shaw, Jeremy Damren and partner, Thomas Stinson, Scott Damren and wife, Kate, Jennifer Hawkins and husband, David, Jessica Roberts and husband, David, Melissa Karkos and husband, Jon, Kimberly DiDonna and husband, Nicholas, Frederick L. Hardy, Amber McCaslin and partner Jordan McAdams, and Karen Badger and husband, Jamin; 12 great-grandchildren, as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews. Fred’s extended family includes children Diana Bell and husband Michael, Doni Gaffar and husband Arthur, Deborah Tracy and husband Seth, Daryl Schramm & husband George, Scott Tracy and Bia, and Judy Tracy, 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

We all will miss his sense of humor, and quick witted retorts as he was a master storyteller and truly loved to make people laugh. Fred enjoyed playing cards with friends, reading the newspaper from cover to cover, watching Red Sox and Patriots games.

NOTICE: Hardy, Frederick 1930–2015. Visiting hours will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, July 10 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 612 Farmington Falls Rd. (Route 2), Farmington. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 11 at the church, with interment following at 2 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery in Farmington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fred’s memory to Foster Career and Technical Education Center, c/o Agricultural Program Scholarships, 129 Seamon Rd., Farmington ME 04938 or the Maine Antique Tractor Club c/o Harriet Spencer, 35 North Shore Drive, Smithfield ME 04978. Arrangements are under the direction of Adams-McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Service 108 Court St. Farmington. Condolences may be sent for the family at www.adamsmcfarlane.com

Elizabeth Darlington

1921-2015

The Essler Family is saddened by the loss of Elizabeth Darlington on May 22, 2015.

Libby was born Dec. 26, 1921 and is survived by her three children, Anne Essler of Penticton, Doug Darlington of Duncan, B.C., and James Darlington of Daphne, AL. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Libby came to Canada in 2007 and became a Permanent Resident in 2011. She resided with Lisle and Anne Essler and their families: Meredith and Rio and Colleen and Lian, from ‘07 – ‘11 when she required more care and moved to Trinity Care Centre where she was lovingly looked after for four years. The family wishes to thank the incredible staff at Trinity and the generous government of BC for making her final years so comfortable.

William “Butch” Ralph Card

1947 – 2015

Butch Card died at MaineGeneral Hospital on Tuesday, June 30, 2015 with his daughters by his side and an Eagles song playing in the background after a long battle with lung disease. He was 68 years old.

Butch was a Vietnam veteran, a carpenter, a mechanic, a writer and a dreamer. He loved reading, writing, food, TV Land, his girls and their babies (who remained “babies” even in double digits). He was happier living life in the simplest terms and he never made excuses or placed any blame. He played the cards he was dealt and loved deeply even if it was from a great distance.

Butch was predeceased by many but most importantly; his mother, Natalie Card and his father Robert Card Sr. and his younger brother, Robert “Bobby” Card Jr. He is survived by his sisters: Sharon Card and Colleen Coffren along with nieces and nephews. His final years of life returned him to an area of Maine that he loved dearly. He lived with his sister Colleen and her husband Raymond Coffren Jr. in Salem, Maine. They opened their home to him and cared for him until the end; demonstrating the truest meaning of love and family.

He is also survived by his daughters and their families; Amy Harper, her husband Chris Harper and their children Addison and Silas of Bar Harbor and Danielle Hersey, her husband Vincent Hersey and their daughter Victoria of Harpswell. His daughters would like to thank the nurses and doctors of MaineGeneral’s Critical Care Unit for fighting to save his life then helping them give him a dignified, peaceful death.

Services will be held at the Maine Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery at the family’s convenience. In lieu of flowers or donations, Butch’s family ask that you complete your living wills; make your wishes known so that your voice can be heard when you are no longer able to speak. It’s kinder to those left in the wake.

June Edna Tomlins

1919-2015

June Edna Tomlins, 95, a resident of Thompson Walton Court in Farmington, went to be with her Lord on July 4, 2015.

She was born on Sept. 12, 1919 in Rangeley, the daughter of Linton and Vivian (Haley) Hoar. She was educated in Rangeley schools, graduating from high school in the class of 1937.

On Feb. 8, 1941, she married Guy (Jake) Leland Howard Jr. of Farmington. Children born to them were Cheryl Anne and Craig (Butch) Leland Howard. Jake predeceased her on Nov. 2, 1951. She later met and married Franklyn Howard Tomlins of Newburgh, NY and they were married on Feb. 17, 1953. Children born to them were John Howard Tomlins and Robert Franklyn Tomlins. Her husband Franklyn passed away on Sept. 28, 1976.

June worked early in her life taking care of children and during World War II she worked as a riveter in the Tubler and Stud Plant in Wollaston, Mass. Later on, she was employed at Forster Mfg in Wilton, Jay Brush in Brunswick and a nursing home in Bath. She volunteered at the Salvation Army in Bath and the Farmington Thrift Shop and had been retired for over 30 years. She was a member of the Farmington Senior Citizens Kitchen Band.

June loved her family, the pride and joy of her life, always helping her brothers and sisters, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an excellent cook, loved crafts of all types, knitting, crocheting, plastic canvas, sewing and ceramics. She loved to travel before her health was an issue and traveled to Canada, Florida, California, Washington, DC and New York. She loved real old country music and the country music get-togethers at her son Butch’s house and singing with his friends.

She is survived by; her daughter, Cheryl A. Farrington and husband Erland of Jay; her sons, Craig L. Howard and wife Monique of Chelsea, John Tomlins and wife Beverly of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, Robert F. Tomlins of Aurora; 12 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and one great, great grandchild. She was predeceased by; her parents, Linton and Vivian Hoar; her husbands, Jake Howard Jr. and Franklyn Tomlins; her brothers, Kenneth Hoar, Omer (Pete) Hoar, Adrian Hoar; her sisters, Florence White and Shirley Beal; her former son in-law, Dale W. Buckingham; her niece, Pat Beal; her great nephew, Jacob.

The family would like to thank Dr. Stacy Hershfeld, Dr. Kimberly Gooch, Dr. Gunther, and Dr. Chagrasules for June’s care. Also, special thanks to the Farmington Police and Rescue Units for their assistance. A special heartfelt thanks to Joel and Louise Bunker, Elaine Stevens and family, Glenda Faye and Heidi Tomlins and June’s neighbors, Richard Robinson, Madeline, Marion and other neighbors for their attentiveness and care.

Donations may be made in June’s memory to the Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center, c/o Jill Gray, FMH, 111 Franklin Health Commons, Farmington, ME 04938.

Visitation was held on Thursday, July 9, 2015 from 10 a.m. to noon and funeral services began at noon at Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington with Rev. John Gensel officiating. Interment will follow at the Fairview Cemetery in Farmington.

Beatrice R. (Manning) Iverson

1934-2015

Beatrice R. (Manning) Iverson, 80, died July 7, 2015 at Bangor Nursing and Rehab Center.

She was born on Dec. 1, 1934 in Brockton Mass. eldest daughter of Lawrence and Bessie (Collum) Manning.

Bea attended Brockton area schools graduating from Brockton High School class of 1954. Bea married Theodore Iverson Feb 2 1957, Beatrice was a homemaker all her life raising six sons, (Bea was predeceased by an infant son and her husband Ted). Bea enjoyed reading, crafting, tending to her houseplants and flower garden. She is survived by her six sons, Kenneth of Wilton, Dennis and Guy of Chesterville, Jed of Farmington, David of Exeter, and Andrew of Jay and their families. Her brother Charles Manning, sister Carol Dubee and her family. 12 grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren and six nieces and nephews.

A service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 16 2015 at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery Chapel, 163 Mount Vernon Rd., Augusta with burial following. If you would like to donate in lieu of flowers, please consider www.dementiasociety.org

A guest book may be signed and condolences may be expressed at www.gallantfh.com

Ruel “Rudy” Leavitt

1936-2015

Ruel “Rudy” Leavitt, 78, passed away on Wednesday, July 8, with his family by his side.

He was born Sept. 4, 1936, in Phillips, the son of Phyllis and Maurice Leavitt. He graduated from Phillips High School in 1954 and was a member of the starting five of the 1953 State Champion Basketball Team.

He married Ernestine (Petie) Wells in 1955. Together, they had four children.

Rudy was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching the Red Sox, the Celtics and the Cowboys. He loved fishing, hunting, golfing, camp, playing cards, cribbage, coaching the Elks softball teams (on which he was a team player for many years), and he especially enjoyed watching his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren playing sports. He enjoyed family and friends most of all.

He is survived by his children, Debbie Hebert and husband, David, Kathy Cormier and husband, Richard, Barry Leavitt and wife, Lorrie, and Paula Rouillard and husband, Ron; his brothers, Raymond and Tont; sister, Linda; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren, with Baby Rouillard due in October!

He was predeceased by his wife; his parents; and his stepfather, Leo Bolduc.

The family would like to thank all the caring staff at Millinocket Regional Hospital for all their support!

LEAVITT — Ruel “Rudy,” 78, passed away on Wednesday, July 8, in Millinocket. A Celebration of Rudy’s Life will be held at the Millinocket Elks Lodge (where he has been a member for 35 years) on Saturday, July 11, at 1 p.m. Come casual and share your memories of Rudy!