Francis Barter
2006-01-13
Francis E. Barter, 51, a 1972 graduate of Gray-New Gloucester High School, passed away at Maine Medical Center, on January 6.
He was the son of Robert E. and Eleanor Mitchell Barter. He worked for Cott Bottling until they closed, and then for Sysco Northern for the past 15 years.
Francis was very interested in the Civil War and enjoyed passing the time away with a good book or watching his favorite cartoons on television.
He is survived by his loving wife, Cheryl Tupper Barter; stepson David Frost, of South Portland; and stepdaughter Deborah Frost Shearer, of West Virginia.
A memorial service was held in South Portland on January 10.
In lieu of flowers, Francis asked that donations be sent to the American Cancer Society, New England Division, 1 Main Street, Suite 300, Topsham, Maine 04086-1240.
Frank Field, father of Dorothy Foster
2006-01-13
Frank M. Field Sr., 82, of 58 Maple St. died December 29 at Charlene Manor Extended Care Facility.
Born in Montague City on August 16, 1923, he was the son of Myrle (Davis) and Edgar R. Field. He attended the former Arms Academy High School. He married the former Rose A. Sall on Jan. 6, 1952, in Shelburne Falls. They would have celebrated 54 years of marriage on Friday.
He had been employed with the former Kendall Co. in Colrain for 20 years as a supervisor in the gauze bleachery, retiring in 1983. Over the years, he worked many part-time jobs including substitute mail carrier, painting houses, school bus driver, local gas stations, and working at Lamson and Goodnow.
An active reserve officer for the Shelburne Police Department, he retired with the rank of Sergeant in 1980 after providing 25 years of service to the Town of Shelburne. He also worked as a reserve police officer for the Town of Buckland.
Active in the community, he had served as Water Commissioner for the Shelburne Falls Fire District. He also served as a Sewer Commissioner for Shelburne Falls.
In the early 1950s, he was a founding member of the Shelburne Falls Fire District's Ambulance Service and an active member of their Fire Department.
He also served as a Director at the Buckland Shelburne Community Center.
A WWII sailor, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1948. During this period, he received six campaign ribbons and eleven Battle Stars, 9 during the Asiatic campaign and Pacific Theater and 2 during the Philippine Liberation. He was a Plank Holder for the USS Denver (CL-58).
He was a Past Commander and life member of the American Legion Post 135, as well as a life member of VFW Post 8503 in Shelburne Falls and Post 3857 in Colrain. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles 2758 in Shelburne Falls.
Prior to his declining health due to Parkinson's disease, Frank enjoyed gardening, cooking, having coffee at the counter with local friends at Baker Pharmacy and spending time with his granddaughters. He was also a frequent visitor to his daughter's home in Gray, enjoying many lobster feeds and clambakes. His last trip to Gray was on January 6, 2002, where he and Rose celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by participating in their granddaughter Lindsay's wedding ceremony.
Besides his wife, he will be sadly missed by his son, Frank M. Field, Jr., and his wife, Sandra, of Shelburne Falls; his daughter, Dorothy A. Foster, of Gray; 4 granddaughters, Lindsay Strattard and her husband Brian, stationed at US Coast Guard Air Station in Buzzards Bay, MA, Samantha Foster of Gray, and Chelsie and Jennifer Field of Shelburne Falls; one great-grandson, Alexander James Strattard.
He was predeceased by a brother, E. Roylance Field, Jr., a sister, Gloria Field Parsons, and his stepmother, Dorothy C. Field.
He also leaves two half-brothers, Howard A. and his wife Marlene of Shelburne Falls and William O. and his wife Eileen of Bernardston; and several nieces and nephews.
He attended Trinity Church in Shelburne Falls.
At Frank's request, a graveside service was held at Arms Cemetery in Shelburne Falls, with the Rev. David Neil pastor of Trinity Church officiating for all family and friends to attend. Donations may be made in his memory to the Trinity Church "Access For All" fund, PO Box 96, Severance St., Shelburne Falls, MA 01370.
Janet Crawford
2006-01-13
Janet C. Crawford, who attended Pennell Institute, died December 30 at Mercy Hospital, Portland.
She was born in Belgrade on September 30, 1935, a daughter of Milfred and Marguerite Gleason Childs.
She worked for many years at Cole Farms Restaurant. From there, Janet spent 23 years at Shaw's Supermarket working in the bakery department.
She is survived by a daughter, Stacey Lebel, of Windham; a son, Robert Todd Crawford, also of Windham; and two grandchildren, Chelsea Lebel and Mary-Kaitlyn Crawford.
Spring burial will be in Arlington Cemetery.
Charles Taylor
2006-01-13
Charles J. Taylor, 68, died January 3 at his home in Gray.
He was born in Brooklyn, New York, on December 24, 1937, a son of Harold C. and Marguerite (Baclene) Taylor.
He graduated Park Ridge High School, in Park Ridge, New Jersey, and attended West Virginia Wesleyan College and Fairleigh Dickinson University.
He was a Boy Scout in Park Ridge, and went on to be an active adult member of his son's Glen Rock Boy Scout Troop 15 and Ridgewood-Glen Rock Council Merit Badge Counselor.
He served in the U.S. Army as a field surveyor and company armorer in Korea form 1960-63. He was employed in international communication sales, first at ITT-Worldcom for 29 years. He then worked for IDC-America, Millenium III International Communications and finally for six months at MCI-Worldcom before retiring. For three and a half years in the early 1970s, he operated Chick's Northgate Sunoco, Portland, and Chick's Pond Cove Sunoco, Cape Elizabeth, while residing in Cape Elizabeth.
Surviving is his wife of 46 years, Madelene J. (DeBree) Taylor, a native of Upper Saddle River, NJ. They lived in Park Ridge, Cape Elizabeth, Glen Rock and Harford's Point (Greenville Junction), Maine, before finally retiring to Gray. The couple has two children, Cheryl T. Kaiser and her husband William C. Kaiser, of Scott Township, PA, and Mark J. Taylor and his wife Lori Ann (Delyannis) of Hagerstown, MD, and four granddaughters, Taylor Ann Kaiser, Jessica Lynn Taylor, Valerie Ann Taylor and her twin, Alissa Christine Taylor.
He is also survived by a brother, William C. Taylor and his wife Edith (Keeley), of Westwood, NJ; a sister-in-law, Barbara Taylor, of Warwick, NY; and three nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Roy H. Taylor.
He was an avid woodworker, and enjoyed camping, boating, HO model trains and-most especially-his granddaughters.
Agnes Forsley passes away
2006-01-20
Agnes Sylek Shiepe Forsley, 81, went to be with Jesus on January 15 at the home of her daughter, Candace.
She resided in Kennebunk for the past five years. Prior to that, she was a 45-year resident of Gray.
She was born on April 21, 1924, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Alexander and Mcarmy Batal Sylek. She graduated from Lawrence High School and the Burdette School of Business in Boston. She was widowed at a young age from Theodore Shiepe, with whom she had a son, Dustin, who passed away at 2 1/2 years of age, and two beloved stepchildren. Agnes later married Dr. Eli Forsley, with whom she shared a long, happy life and five lovely children.
Her compassion, care and love of life were well noted by all. Agnes was a tireless volunteer for the American Red Cross, transporting patients from Lawrence to hospitals in Boston.
She also served as a counselor for Birthrite, guiding hundreds of young women through their pregnancies.
In addition, Agnes was a driving instructor for a countless number of Gray's youth, thoroughly enjoying her time with each of them. Agnes began her professional career as a bookkeeper for Watts Regulator. Like her mother, she was a licensed electrologist, educating others in the practice and serving as the Secretary of the State Board of Electrologists.
In 1956, she and Eli founded Gray Manor, a boarding home for disabled veterans, whom she cared for like family. Agnes shopped year-round for the 32 men under her care at Gray Manor. She would work around the clock during Christmas, wrapping all these gifts for the men. She would have new outfits for them, along with several special gifts tailored to each man. Oftentimes these men were forgotten by their families, but Agnes gave them back their dignity with jobs, love and a sense of belonging to the community.
Agnes was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1971. In spite of the debilitating illness, she continued her active and giving lifestyle. She did not let the change in her step alter the pace of her life, and she strongly believed that her faith in the Lord gave her the strength to make it through each day.
Agnes always made it a priority to bring joy to the lives of others, whether through her gorgeous smile, loving heart or lively spirit. Her generosity and care were available to everyone she met. She was grateful for all the love and support that she received from her day-to-day relationships.
We cannot express on paper the many ways in which her life touched ours. We love her dearly, with all of our hearts. With every letter she wrote to friends and family, she would lovingly end with, "May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are apart one from the other, Gen. 31:49", along with, "May the Lord bless you and keep you in front of me".
Agnes is survived by her children, Richard T. Forsley, of Pensacola, FL, Elizabeth A. Forsley, of Portland, Alexander E. Forsley, of Maine and Florida, Fred M. Forsley, of Portland, Candace Forsley, of Kennebunk, and Theodore Shiepe, of Salem, NH; eight grandchildren; a sister, Meralda Syiek McCann, of San Diego, CA; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was also the sister of the late Rose Syviek Breehey.
A celebration of Agnes' life was held on Thursday at the Messiah Christian Church in Wells, with Rev. Daniel Moore.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Little People of America (LPA), The Patriot Chapter, 7 Jameco Mill Road, Scarborough, ME 04074, Attention: Thanks and Giving, or to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Arrangements were by Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk.
Richard Randall, Jr., dies
2006-01-27
Richard A. Randall, Jr., 38, of Gray, died Sunday, January 22.
He was born August 3, 1967, in Portland, the son of Richard A. and Virginia Christian Randall.
He attended Gray-New Gloucester High School. Mr. Randall served in the U.S. Marines, and later the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve 1st Battalion 25th Marines, Topsham.
He was well-loved and respected by all family and friends. Always looking for ways to help, he loved all of them in return. Mr. Randall had a strong work ethic and worked for Castle Kitchens, Paul G. White Tile Co. and Rideout & Turner.
He loved fishing, ice fishing, mud runs, hunting, four-wheeling, camping and snowmobiling. He was, in short, an all-round sportsman who especially loved going to camp in Greenville.
Mr. Randall married Chantelle York in 1990. He is survived by his wife, of Gray; a son, Travis J. Randall, of Naples; two daughters, Rachelle A. and Rianna S. Randall, both of Gray; his parents, Richard and Virginia Randall, Sr., of Gray; his grandparents, Llewellyn A. Randall, Sr., of Westbrook, and Wayne H. Ackerman, of Gray; a brother, William L. Randall, of Gray; sisters Deanna M. Randall, of Gray, and Jeanne A. Randall, of Strong; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Memorial donations may be made to the Maine Wildlife Park, 56 Game Farm Road, Gray, Maine 04039.
Arrangements were by Wilson Funeral Home, Gray.
