MINOT — Peter Michael Setford, 89, of Minot passed away peacefully at home, with his family by his side, on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, following a long battle with dementia.

He was born Oct. 9, 1923, in Ardingly, West Sussex, England, the son of Harry and Jane Setford, the youngest of six children.

He survived the London bombings and at the age of 17 joined the British Royal Navy, which brought him to the U.S. and to the Brunswick and Auburn area.

During the war, he met the love of his life, Gladys Louise Sturtevant, and decided to become a citizen of the states. He and Gladys were married Feb. 4, 1945, and together worked alongside many community members to establish the Minot Community School and form the Minot Community Club.

His first job out of the service was at HW Hutchins Folding Paper Box Co., and he worked his way up to office manager, eventually purchasing the business. He retired in 1981.

He was raised a Master Mason of Tyrian Lodge No. 73 in Mechanic Falls and served as master in 1955. He was a member of all Scottish Rite bodies and was a past wise master of the Rose Croix degree. In 1986, he was given the high distinction of a 33rd degree Mason. He was a member of Kora Temple, where he served as potentate in 1993.

He enjoyed woodworking, be it building clocks, carving birds or crafting gavels for numerous Masonic lodges and their masters throughout the world. The gavels were of an unusual design, depicting an old stone mason’s tool. On one occasion, he crafted two gavels from an ancient olive tree and gave one to the grand master of Maine and one to the grand master in Israel.

His other hobbies included golfing and swimming, but his favorite pastime was spending time with his only granddaughter, who he called the light of his life. He was a communicant at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church.

He is survived by his two daughters, Pamela Poulin and her husband, Robert, of Minot, and Jackie Rybeck and her husband, Peter, of Minot; one granddaughter, Andrea Brown and her husband, Bradley, of San Jose, Calif.; two great-grandchildren, Kailyn and Carson Brown; many nieces and nephews in England.

He also leaves behind his wonderful caregivers, who became a part of his family, Mary Anne Stetson, Cindy Richardson and Stephanie Delano.

He was predeceased by his wife, Gladys in 1998; and a son, Michael Norman, in 1953.