SOUTH PARIS — Rodney Gray Nightingale, formerly of Poland, Newburgh, N.Y., and Bucksport, died Monday, July 23, at the South Paris Veterans’ Home.

He was born March 21, 1937, in Grindstone to Clyde and Beatrice (Gray) Nightingale. He was educated in Bucksport schools and was employed as a meat cutter for more than 50 years in both Maine and New York. He retired from civil service at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and continued his trade in retail stores until his final retirement in 2005. He served in the U.S. Army from May 1959 until April 1962, stationed at Ft. Richardson, Ala., and Ft. Lewis, Wash.

Rod was a former member of three Masonic lodges in the Bucksport and Brewer area, a volunteer firefighter in Newburgh, N.Y., and a member of the Wallkill, N.Y., Rod and Gun Club. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed working in his vegetable garden and other outdoor activities.

Rod is survived by his wife of 39 years, Elaine (Ewen) Nightingale, of Poland; daughters Lorrinda Connolly and her husband, John, of Bucksport, and Luann Pinsky and her husband, Greg, of Framingham Mass.; one stepdaughter, Kimberly (Dee) LaBerge, and her husband, Scott, of Lewiston; one grandson, Samuel Stearns; two granddaughters: Jordan and Kristen Pinsky; and two step-grandchildren: Caleb and Corinne LaBerge; and many nieces and nephews,

In addition to his parents, Rod was predeceased by three brothers: LeRoy, Leslie and Clyde; three sisters: Katherine Gomm, Althea Coleman and Louise Hanscom; and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the staff of the South Paris Veterans’ Home for the outstanding care and considerate kindness showed both Rodney and his wife during his stay. The family will be eternally grateful for their devotion to his comfort, even when he kept them hopping and laughing.

Rodney G. Nightingale