George E. Higgins
1999-07-30
George Higgins, of Gray, died Sunday at a Lewiston hospital.
He was born in Gray on September 10, 1923, the son of Everett E. and Karolina Svensson Higgins.
After attending Gray schools, Mr. Higgins worked as a logger. He retired from American Can Company after thirty years. He served in the United States Army during World War II as a combat infantryman, bringing rations to the front lines. He earned a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Good Marksman badge.
He enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing and the outdoors. He was a passionate Red Sox fan. He especially enjoyed family gatherings, and on Saturday mornings he loved to watch wrestling with his grandchildren.
Mr. Higgins was a member of Gray Post #86 American Legion.
He is survived by two sons, William Higgins, of Windham, and Richard Higgins, of Columbus, Ohio; five daughters, Patricia Combs, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Donna Rollins, of Naples, Beverly Peaco, of Vancouver, Anita Borlawsky, of Naples, and Paula Rice, of Gray; nineteen grandchildren, Cathy Roberts, Debora Roberts, Gleen Roberts, Cheryl Roberts, Clinton Combs, Jr., Bonnie Combs, Belinda Bates, Andrew Rollins, Jr., Christine Bertin, Denise Harwood, Susan Peaco, Amber Peaco, Misty Higgins, Janelle Lasciuto, Joseph Lasciuto, Michael Borlawsky, Jacquelyn Borlawsky, Emily Rice and Jordan Rice; and by nine great-grandchildren.
Arrangements were by Wilson Funeral Home, Gray.
Natalie Wood
1999-08-20
Natalie Smith Wood, one of Gray's beloved residents, passed away on Saturday, August 14, after a valiant struggle.
Mrs. Wood is survived by her husband, Richard C., two sons, Gary S. and Wayne, a daughter, Wendy Gallagher, and four grandchildren, all of Gray.
She was born in Portland, a daughter of Oscar S. and Rosanna Lysaght Smith.
At her request, there was no funeral. Arrangements were by Wilson Funeral Home, 24 Shaker Road.
Bruce Muzzy, 51
1999-08-27
Bruce Muzzy, son of George and Beatrice Muzzy, of Gray, passed away on Monday, August 23, in Oklahoma. He was 51.
He graduated from Gray-New Gloucester High School in 1966. He was in the U.S. Army, and served in Germany before moving to Oklahoma. He was married to the late Linda Snow, of New Gloucester.
Muzzy is survived by his parents; two sons, Christopher, of Oklahoma, and Scott, USN, of Florida; a brother, Peter Muzzy, of Portland, ME; two sisters, Susan Wood, of California, and Karen Webb, of Virginia; three grandchildren, Evan, Hannah and Kylie Muzzy; four nieces and one nephew.
Mary C. Ferri
1999-09-03
Mary C. Ferri, 87, of Gray, died Thursday at a Portland nursing home.
She was born in New York City, a daughter of Vito and Annette Guglielamo.
On February 19, 1928, she married Michael Ferri.
After several years of marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Ferri moved to Gray from upper New York state.
She was a communicant of St. Gregory's Catholic Church.
Mrs. Ferri worked at several department stores in the Portland area.
She also gardened, knitted and cooked.
Her husband died in 1972.
Surviving are one son, Joseph Ferri of Gray; three daughters, Pauline Ayer, of Winthrop, Ann Egbert, of Portland and Betty McKeown, of Biddeford; two brothers, Anthony F. Williams, of Liverpool, NY, and Samuel L. Williams Sr. of Tully, NY; 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were private. Memorial donations may be made to American Diabetes Association, 10 Bangor Street, Suite F, Augusta, ME 04330.
Russell L. Searles
1999-09-03
Russell L. Searles, 49, died Wednesday at a Portland Hospital.
Mr. Searles was born in Lewiston April 3, 1950, the son of Louis R. and Margaret Wing Searles, Sr., and was educated at New Gloucester and Gray-New Gloucester schools.
Mr. Searles was a truck driver for over twenty years before illness forced him to retire. He worked 13 years at Pioneer Plastic, Mitchell Trucking, Transcoastal Corporation and Searles Brothers Excavation. He was an avid Cribbage player, enjoyed crosswords, collecting vintage vehicles and fishing.
Surviving are his mother, Margaret V. Searles of New Gloucester; two daughters, Heather Searles, of Somerville, MA, and Melissa Searles, of Lewiston; and two brothers, Louis and Wayne Searles, both of New Gloucester. He was blessed with the companionship of Jacqueline Lemm, of Poland Spring. .
Memorial donations may be made to The American Lung Association, 122 State Street, Augusta, Maine 04330.
Earl C. Leavitt
1999-09-03
Earl Cushman Leavitt, 79, died Tuesday at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Maine, following a long illness.
Born in Gray, the son of Clarence Willard and Henrietta Pritham Leavitt, he lived in Gray all his life.
He married Dorothy Frances Witham in 1940, in Portland, ME.
He graduated from Pennell Institute in 1938.
He was a veteran of World War II, 1944-1946, and won the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on April 7, 1945, in Germany.
Mr. Leavitt worked at Thomas-Laughlin in Portland, Maine for 21 years, and at the Gray Post Office as a rural carrier in Gray for 21 years. He retired in 1982.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and gardening.
He was predeceased by a sister, Alice Hathaway.
Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Dorothy Leavitt, of Gray; five sons, Gordon and David, both of Gray, Neal of Windham, Donald Leavitt and Gary Smith both of New Gloucester; three daughters, Anna Teele, of Phillips, Amy Leavitt of Gray and Audrey Leavitt of New Gloucester; one brother, Sidney Leavitt, of Gray; and twenty-five grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Gray Rescue, P.O. Box 258, Gray, Maine 04039.
Alice Ann Mallett Schwerdtfeger
1999-09-03
Alice Ann Mallett Schwerdtfeger, 84, of New Gloucester, died Friday at Clover Manor, Auburn, where she had lived for the past 14 months. She was born in Bath, a daughter of Charlotte and John Mallett, and attended school in Quincy, Mass., and Bath, graduating from Morse High School.
In 1936 she married August R. Schwerdtfeger. He died in 1980.
Mr. and Mrs. Schwerdtfeger lived in Bath, Hyde Park, MA, and South Portland before moving to New Gloucester in 1945.
Together they handcrafted miniature furniture, which is now known throughout the country.
Mrs. Schwerdtfeger was a member of the New Gloucester Congregational Church. She also was a member of the Ladies Circle, the Historical Society, the Poland Spring Preservation Society and the Senior Citizens.
Surviving are her daughter, Mrs. Bruce D. (Viola) Macomber of New Gloucester; four grandchildren, Deana L. and Karen A., both of Auburn, and Bruce Jr. and John, both of New Gloucester; and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at 2 P.M. Sunday at the New Gloucester Congregational Church. Memorial donations may be made to New Gloucester Rescue, P.O. Box 82, New Gloucester, Maine 04260.
