TURNER – Eugene “Gene” Rackley Pratt, 95, passed away Nov. 22, 2021, at his home with his family by his side. He was born on March 7, 1926, in Howes Corner to Edsel and Lizzie May (Rose) Pratt. Gene was educated in the one room schoolhouse in Howes Corner and attended Leavitt Institute. In his senior year he, as many others, quit school and joined the United States Air Force. In the Air Force he trained as a ball turret gunner on a B-17, never seeing combat duty. After the service he worked at International Paper in Chisholm and then went to work for his brother Stan at Milliken Thomlinson in Auburn as a truck driver delivering produce to local stores. Gene met the love of his life, Muriel, at Joe Libby’s dance hall. He married Muriel Morris in September of 1949. They built a home in Howes Corner in 1950 with his father’s help. They celebrated 70-plus years together before her death in July of 2020. In 1955 they bought Rose and Pratt’s store from Edsel. They ran the store until 1986 when they sold it to their oldest son Russell. They were proud members of the local community and supported their friends and many families in the area whenever the need arose. Together they raised three children, Russell, Meredith, and Robert. Gene knew everyone in the local area, running the store for 31 years. For years before bulk grain, they received railcars of bagged grain at the No. Leeds store and delivered it to several local farmers. He enjoyed his camps, building a camp on Bear Pond with his father in 1957, with five partners they built a camp on the store lawn and moved it to Northeast Carry, on Moosehead Lake in 1962, and in 1982 he purchased a camp in Langtown where he and Muriel spent a lot of time after his retirement. From these camps he enjoyed his time off hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and enjoying the outdoors. He built several houses in the area with Bill Murphy, Steve Leavitt, and his son Russell. He built houses for each of his three children and helped on two of his grandchildren’s. He enjoyed snowmobiling. He picked apples and plowed driveways so that he could buy his first sled, a 1967 Ski-Doo. Many sleds followed that first purchase. His last new sled was at the age of 86. He spent many hours grooming trails with Henry Poland and a host of others. He was an avid hunter shooting many deer hunting with lifelong friends Stan and Bill Timberlake and was always up for a hunt if you were on vacation in November. He will be remembered for his hot wood fires, a good shot of Canadian Whiskey, and his world-famous popcorn. He made the best popcorn treating his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and trick or treaters to his delicious treat.

Until we meet again Dad every time we sweat by a wood fire, raise a glass of good whiskey, or cut that fresh powder on a snow sled you will be remembered. Gene is survived by his children and their spouses, Russell (Doni), Meredith (Greg) and Robert (Lisa), seven grandchildren, Jamie, Casey, Sara, Betsy, Mary, Brian, and Bradley, 12 great grandchildren, Denver, Colton, Reed, Trent, Lily, Jack, Bryce, Mason, Tracker, Adriana, Braxton, and Brooklyn. He was predeceased by his wife, Muriel, his parents, Edsel and Lizzie, his sisters, Beverley and Katherine, and his brothers Robert and Stanton. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at: http://www.finleyfuneralhome.com.

A service will be held at a later date. Arrangements made by FINLEY FUNERAL HOME, 15 Church Street, Livermore Falls, Maine. Interment at North Turner Cemetery, Howes Corner Road, Turner, Maine.

If desired contributions may be made in Eugene Pratt’s memory to Androscoggin Home Care

and Hospice,

15 Strawberry Avenue,

Lewiston, Maine 04240

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