NORTH YARMOUTH — On Tuesday, March 13, Red Sox Nation lost its No. 1 fan. This loss will be felt across the state of Maine with a significant drop in annual sales at Marden’s. On a positive note many local restaurants will likely see a decrease in fork and jelly packet expenditures.

On Aug. 27, 1929, Silas Foster Peaslee was welcomed into this world by his parents, Waldo and Pearl (Parks,) and two older sisters, Ilean and Ida, as well as two brothers, Harold and Gregory, who have spent their lives absolutely entertained by the antics of their brother. His class-clown behavior was endearing to many and captured the heart of his love, Charlotte West, whom he married on Feb. 1, 1951.

Serving his country during WWII as a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne was a great decision, as the Army paid an extra $50 (beer money) to those silly enough to jump out of perfectly good airplanes. His love of beer was less than his love for his bride, Charlotte, when she made it clear he had to choose her or drinking (and she looked far better in a bikini). He chose well; Charlotte and Silas raised 10 children and made the difference in the lives of many others as foster parents.

Their house, while a chaotic mess at times, made up for what it lacked in finances with love, laughter and plenty of spaghetti to go around (and sometimes, if you were lucky, the melodic rhythms of 2 Live Crew). Always proud of his service, he enjoyed many trips with his daughters over the years to revisit his duty stations. This past summer he had the opportunity to participate in Maine’s Honor Flight trip with his son, Gary, and it’s likely the smile from that trip is still on his face.

The loss of his fingers in a sawmill accident at 29 could have set him back, but instead it provided the perfect knuckleball ball to screw with his grandchildren during backyard ball games. He most recently struck out a few at his 88th birthday party. While the other adults would be chatting, Gramps could always be found entertaining the children, who welcomed him into their circle with open arms, especially when he would allow them to braid his hair at the kitchen table, paint his toenails or were gifted with a piece of his magical belly lint.

One would think with 10 children, 28 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren, Silas would be a boisterous presence in any room. In fact, he was the opposite. It would be a challenge to anyone who knew him to think of a time when he needed to raise his voice to command attention or spoke ill of another person; he was soft-spoken and a man of few words. He preferred to sit back and listen to those around him, taking joy in his grandchildren’s stories, unless of course he had turned his hearing aid down, which was more likely the case.

As his children and grandchildren grew up, he would screen potential dates with a visit to the wood chipper, repair car-deer damage with wood from the backyard and continually instill his love of the Red Sox and Marden’s in them all. His devotion to what he loved was so strong that he even delayed his attendance (and that of several of his children and grandchildren) to his sister, Ida’s funeral to make a visit to Marden’s prior to attending the graveside service and spent the reception of his granddaughter’s wedding in the bar cheering on the Red Sox as they swept the Angels in the 2004 ALDS Championships, a win that led to their first World Series Championship during his lifetime.

Silas continually upped the ante with his trickery and it is likely that there are purses out there with forks and jelly packets still hidden in their folds. He truly enjoyed his breakfasts out with his family, always the center of attention (or harassment from his daughters who challenged themselves to see who could feed him more or keep his coffee cup the fullest). When not enjoying the most important meal of the day, he found enjoyment hanging out at the Oxford Casino. Just recently, always focusing on the glass half-full, Silas found excitement in his new kidney drains, citing the ability to never have to leave the penny slots to pee.

Silas was predeceased by the love of his life, Charlotte; sons, Silas and Douglas Peaslee; sister, Ida Davis; and his beloved Ford Escort. His love of life and laughter will forever be carried in the hearts of his family, brothers, Harold Peaslee and wife, Jesse, of Yelm, Wash., Gregory Peaslee of Andover; sister, Ilean Guild, of Livermore; children, Gary Peaslee and his wife, Janice, of Andover, Debora Gellatly and her husband, Norm, of Auburn, Bonnie Littlefield and her husband, David, of Portland, Sherri Curit and her husband, Moe, of North Yarmouth, Charlotte (Peaslee) Kane, Charlotte (Howard) Palmer and her husband, Stan, of Oxford, Ruth Ann (Hansen) Terrison of Portland, Trish (Hansen) Bragdon of Yarmouth; and his daughter-in-law, Judy Peaslee; as well as his 28 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren, who will also carry the inane talent to stack wood perfectly when needed.

Silas Foster Peaslee

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