BELGRADE – Vassar Milford “Tony” Dellarma, 71, of East Boothbay, died peacefully on Tuesday, May 27, in the comfort of the home of one of his daughter’s, with family at his side.

He was born Sept. 26, 1936, in Madison, a son of Pietro and Nellie (Beane) Dellarma. He graduated from Central High School in 1956, and married a childhood sweetheart, Linda McKenney on Dec. 24, 1959 in North New Portland. He served for nine years in the National Guard. For 34 years, he was employed at Bath Iron Works, beginning as an apprentice in the tin shop.

He then worked his way into a managerial position and worked with Gibbs & Cox, designing the Arlie Burke Aegis Destroyers. After his retirement, he pursued a passion of working as a woodsman in the North New Portland woods. He was a member of the Bay View Masonic Lodge 196 of East Boothbay and since 1970, had been a member, with his wife, of the Belfast Curling Club of which he was past president.

In his free time, Tony enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and lobstering. He always found extra time to spend with his children and family, whether it was teaching his grandson to become a mechanic, encouraging his family to tap their own maple trees, or empowering his daughters to learn how to change a tire, maintain their homes or even how to drive a skidder. He was devoted to his family and taught many about the true meaning of courage, particularly in the way he remained, ever the optimist in the face of adversity.

Survivors in clude his wife of 48 years of East Boothbay; three daughters, Valencie Schubert and her husband, Dean, of Belgrade, Cara Bridges and her husband, David, of York and Andrea Dellarma and her loving companion, Brendan Bernard, of Richmond; grandchildren, Jesse Friant, Cole Friant and his loving companion, Jan Lincoln, Christine Friant, Mack Schubert and Lily Schubert; two great-grandchildren, Lola Friant and Hayden Friant; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; stepfather, George Connors; siblings, Constance Waugh, Edward and Peter Dellarma and Louise Downs; and cousin, Paul Roberge.