Page 10B, The Bridgton News, January 31, 2013
Obituaries
James S. Crockett Jr.
James A. Cantelo
AUGUSTA — James S. Crockett Jr., 64, of Jay, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013 at the Hospice and Palliative Care Unit at Togus, after being seriously ill for a brief time. He was born in Farmington, Aug. 28, 1948, son of J. Sherman Crockett Sr. and Dawn (Whittemore) Crockett. He was raised in North Jay and graduated from Jay High School in 1966. He enlisted in the U.S Navy and made his career in the military for 22 years, during which time he served in Idaho, the Azores, Winter Harbor, Puerto Rico and Pensacola, Fla., and retired with a rank of chief petty officer. After retiring from the Navy, Jim fulfilled his lifelong dream of returning to Maine. He was employed at Central Maine Medical Center as security officer of the IT Department. He retired from CMMC in 2003. During his retirement, he was blessed to find his soul mate, Christa Salley of Skowhegan, whom he married on Feb. 18, 2006 in Jay. They shared a very special relationship while residing on Oak Street in Jay. Christa was by Jim’s side throughout his illness and his passing, always praying for him and reassuring him of the love of his Lord and of his eternal life. Jim had an extraordinary love for his family and friends, enjoyed the out-of-doors as a child and became an avid photographer. His other hobbies included electronics, woodworking, visiting lighthouses and he especially enjoyed time at Bailey Island. He is survived by his wife, Christa Crockett of Jay; his daughter, Erica Carwile and two grandsons of Virginia Beach, Va.; his only sibling, Vicki (Crockett) Roy of Poland Spring and her children, Anthony Roy of Bridgton, Andrew and wife, Rachelle Roy of Bridgton and Brittany Dawn Roy of Poland Spring; his stepchildren, Claudio Melis of Germany, Anya and Paul Hanoville of Florida, Jane Lefebvre of Massachusetts, Ramona Julliano of Benton and Joseph Salley of Oakland; seven stepgrandchildren; two nephews; and many friends and relatives. Jim was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Percy and Della Whittemore of North Anson; his paternal grandparents, Cecil and Bette Crockett of Skowhegan; and his parents, James Sherman and Dawn Crockett of Jay. Words of condolence and tribute may be shared with Jim’s family and friends on his tribute wall at www.wilesrc.com Family and friends are invited to a time of memorial visitation from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Wiles Remembrance Center, 308 Franklin Road, Route 133, Jay. Gifts in lieu of flowers may be made in his honor to the Hospice Care Center at Togus, 1 VA Center, Augusta, ME 04330.
WEST PARIS — James A. Cantelo, 68, died Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013 at the Ledgeview Living Center. He was born in Rumford on Aug. 8, 1944, a son of Nelson and Lena Mary (Chayer) Cantelo. He attended Rumford schools. He owned and operated Jim’s Carpet Barn in Mexico for many years until his retirement. Jim was a member of the Exiles Motorcycle Club and was a former member of Rumford Falls Aerie 1248, FOE. Survivors include three daughters, Julie Lothrop of Bath, Christle Cantelo Alexander of Rumford and Jessica Cantelo of Bridgton; a son, James Cantelo Jr. of Dixfield; a sister, Barbara Greenwood of Mechanic Falls; eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at www.meaderandson.com A celebration of his life will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, at the VFW Hall, Waldo Street, Rumford. Interment in the spring will be in the Demeritt Cemetery, Peru. Those who desire may contribute to the River Valley Animal Advocacy, P.O. Box 628, Canton, ME 04221, in his memory. Arrangements are under the direction of the Meader & Son Funeral Home, 3 Franklin Street, Rumford.
Lea A. Smith-Petersen SOUTH CASCO — Lea “Sissy” A. Smith-Petersen, nee Ahlemeyer, 62, of South Casco, passed away on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, at home. She was born on July 4, 1950, in Jersey City, N.J., to Frank and Lea Ahlemeyer. Lea “Sissy” is a hard person to put into words. She lived life on her own terms. She started living on her own terms from a very young age. She led a tumultuous life that stretched to extremes. If she cared for you as a friend or a loved one, you knew it. She lived and loved with the same level of passion and intensity. She would and did give her last dime for what she cared for. Her intuition about the complexities in life was extraordinary to those closest to her. She would be your biggest fan in life. She saw magic in her loved ones that no one else could see. No one ever made me feel so important, or ever will. Lea’s grandchildren are the most amazing people and that started with her. She showed what sacrifice for love looked like, and real truth in a world that lacks that kind of pure truth. On the other side, she showed what not to do by doing it. She lived hard and some learned in the end that you can have one without the other. We learned that we can have that intuition, passion and intensity without always having such extremes. This is the gift, the tools she gave to be the parents and people we needed to be. And our children are her legacy. Thanks Ma, we’ll miss you. You were truly one of a kind. No one will ever forget you. How could we? She is survived by her husband, George Smith-Petersen; along with his son, Andy Smith-Petersen; daughter Carrie Tanguay; two grandchildren; her mother, Lea Ahlemeyer; three sons, Robert Ahlemeyer of Buxton, Steven Dubowik of North Waterboro and Edward Ahlemeyer of South Casco; a brother, Edward Ahlemeyer of Waldoboro; five grandchildren and five nieces and nephews. Lea’s father, Frank, and brother, Frank, preceded her in passing. Arrangements are by Hall Funeral Home, Casco.
Anthony J. Conforte BRIDGTON — Anthony J. Conforte, formerly of Guilford, Connecticut, passed peacefully with family at his side on Friday, Jan. 18, 2013. Tony is survived by three sons and their families, Jimmy and Poppy Conforte of Athens, Greece, Mark and Dawn Conforte of Lovell, Maine, and Kyle and Deb Conforte of Bridgton, Maine. Tony is also survived by his grandchildren, Corrin, Molly, Justin and Owen; and great-grandchildren Caitlin, Cayla and Sophia. He was married to his late wife, Lynn, for 48 years. We would like to give special thanks to Fryeburg Healthcare Center and Androscoggin Home Health Care for their compassionate care in his final days. 1T5X
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Maurice A. White CAPE ELIZABETH — Maurice A. White, 94, of Cape Elizabeth, passed away in Portland on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. The son of Perley Allen and Edith Evelyn Brown White, he was born on March 3, 1918 in Portland. Mr. White served in Coast Guard during World War II, stationed in Connecticut and in Greenland. He was employed as a mail carrier out of Portland Post Office for over 30 years and as a currier for the Maine National Bank for eight years. Mr. White was a life member of the Falmouth Rod and Gun Club, which were two sports he enjoyed with his many friends. He was a member of the Masons, becoming a thirty second degree Shriner, a member of the American Legion and a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA). Maurice and his wife of 63 years, Janet, enjoyed camping in their RV throughout Maine and Canada. He was a friend to all his neighbors, looking out for the elder ones that he could assist. He was predeceased by his wife Janet; his parents; and brothers, Merle White and Donald White. Surviving is his loving companion, Clara Appleton; brother, Fred White of Connecticut; sister, Ruth Watson of Somersville; sons, Leslie White of Sebago and Larry White of Standish; daughter, Benitia Thompson of Portland; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. A visiting hour will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., with a memorial service following at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31 at the Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hobbsfuneralhome.com
Ann L. Burtsell MERRIMACK, N.H. — Ann Louise (Edwards) Burtsell, 79, died at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, N.H. on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013 surrounded by members of her family. She was born in Naples on Oct. 11, 1933, a daughter of the late Granville and Edith (Gardiner) Edwards. Mrs. Burtsell was the widow of Arthur Burtsell. She is remembered as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was a member of the Lafayette Club in Nashua and the VFW-American Legion. She also loved playing cards and Bingo. She had been a longtime employee with Teledyne. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her two grandsons and a granddaughter. Mrs. Burtsell is survived by her children, Russell Burtsell of Nashua, N.H., Fran Phillips of Bridgton, Ernest Burtsell of Arizona, Kevin Burtsell of Easton, Mass., Aaron Burtsell of Manchester, N.H., Brian Burtsell of Merrimack, N.H. and Jody Burtsell of Nashua, N.H.; her sister, Mildred Mulligan; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Private funeral services and burial will be held in Naples at the convenience of the family. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider a memorial donation to Home Health and Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054 or the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. The Davis Funeral Home is in charge of her arrangements. An online guestbook and service information is available at www.davis funeralhomenh.com
Paul L. Jackson BROWNFIELD — Paul L. Jackson, 84, of Brownfield, passed away Monday, Jan. 21, 2013 at Fryeburg Health Care Center. He was born Dec. 23, 1928 in Center Conway, N.H. and was the only child of Murray S. and Althea (Thurston) Jackson. He was educated in local schools and graduated from Fryeburg Academy in 1947. Paul owned and operated Jackson’s Body Shop and Used Cars for over 35 years at the family farm in Brownfield. He loved cars and restored antique cars in his earlier years. He had a wealth of friends and enjoyed spending time with them. Paul was also an avid hunter and a member of the National Rifle Association. He was a former member of the Brownfield Community Church, as well as an original member of the Brownfield Fire Department. Paul was a 55-year member and Past Master of Mount Moriah Masonic Lodge in Brownfield. Paul is survived by is wife of 63 years, Carolyn; a daughter, CarolAnn Wright; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. There will be a Masonic graveside service held in the spring at Pine Grove Cemetery in Brownfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mount Moriah Masonic Lodge, P.O. Box 57, Brownfield, ME 04010. Arrangements are made with Wood Funeral Home, Fryeburg. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.org
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The Bridgton News OBITUARY POLICY The News will run, at no charge, obituaries that have local connections. Photographs may be submitted at no additional charge, and whenever possible, they should be emailed as a jpg file. The News will include: Individuals — predeceased by parents, siblings, spouse, children; survived by spouse, significant other, children, parents. Names of spouses of surviving relatives will not be included. In most cases names of the grandchildren, nephews and nieces will not be listed, just the number of each. However, if the deceased individual’s only connection to the area is a nephew, niece or grandchild, that person will be identified. The News reserves the right to edit all free obituaries. Requests for more complete obituaries will be accepted as paid advertisements. Contact: The Bridgton News P.O. Box 244, 118 Main Street Bridgton, ME 04009. Tel. 207-647-2851, Fax 207-647-5001 E-mail: bnews@roadrunner.com
Anthony J. Valeriani Sr. NAPLES — Anthony J. Valeriani Sr., 81, of Naples passed away on Friday, Jan. 25, 2013. He was born in St. Johnsbury, Vt. on Feb. 21, 1931, a son of Valentino and Mary Valeriaini. Anthony will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 34 years, Barbara Valeriani; his son, Valentino Valeriani; his two daughters, Lucy M. Hall Valeriani and Dona Young Valeriani; his brother, Valentino Valeriani; and his stepchildren, Annette Smith and Michael Skillings. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 at Hall Funeral Home in Casco.
M. Sherwin Murch, Jr.
FLORIDA — M. Sherwin Murch Jr., 85, died at Dowling Park, Fla. on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013. He was the son of the late Malcolm S. Murch Sr. and Lena (Barnes) Murch. Sherwin was born March 31, 1927, in Rockland, and suffered a head injury in the birth process, causing cerebral palsy which handicapped him throughout his long life. The Great Depression arrived with the fall of the New York Stock Market in 1929, and in 1931 the family moved to South Paris, where Sherwin learned to walk at age 4, and started school at age 7. In 1937, the Depression had started to break, and the Central Maine Power Company rebuilt a small hydroelectric power plant on Stevens Brook in Bridgton. They hired Malcolm Murch to operate the plant for the next 20 years. There were three more children by then, and they all grew up in Bridgton. School was always difficult for Sherwin, but he did learn to read well. On his 16th birthday, he stayed home from school, and never went back. In order to do something productive with his time, Sherwin raised chickens for eggs and meat for several years. This involved family participation, but it was primarily Sherwin’s project. The family was very active in the Advent Christian Church in Bridgton, and Sherwin was always interested in doing something constructive and helpful. When the parish hall was built in 1948-49, Sherwin pulled 30 pounds of nails from tons of lumber for re-use in building the facility. He took great pride in the fact that he could be useful in spite of his handicaps. In 1957, CMP put the powerhouse on automatic operation, and moved the Murches to Lewiston, where Malcolm was re-assigned to the steam plant. In Lewiston and Auburn, older people will remember Sherwin as a handicapped door-to-door household supply salesman many years ago. In 1967, when Sherwin was 40 years old, his brother, the Rev. Ronald A. Murch, and his wife took responsibility for Sherwin’s care and wellbeing, taking him to Connecticut, where facilities and programs for handicapped people were more readily accessible. Ronald maintained this responsibility for 18 years. At the end of that time, Sherwin’s sister-in-law with her second husband took responsibility for him for a year or two, when Sherwin’s sister, Janice Chapman and her husband, the Rev. G. William Chapman, and his younger brother Brian and his wife Janice took him to Dowling Park, Fla., and took responsibility for him for the rest of his life. At Dowling Park, Sherwin spent the happiest time of his life. He found many things to do to help people in small, but significant ways. He loved to talk with people, and his quirky sense of humor endeared him to many. “Can I give you a hand, Sherwin?” “No, I have two already. I don’t know what I’d do with a third one.” “Sherwin, are you all right?” “No, I’m half left.” His life was not wasted. Sherwin is survived by a brother, the Rev. Ronald A. Murch of Lewiston; a sister, Janice Chapman of Dowling Park, Fla.; a brother, Brian Murch of Zephyrhills, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Bruce Murch. His body has been donated by his wish to a medical research facility in Florida. Eventual interment will be in the Murch family lot in the Forest Hills Cemetery in Bridgton.
Dorothy F. Higgins WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. — Dorothy Frances Higgins passed away in her sleep on Jan. 9, 2013 in West Palm Beach, Fla. She would have been 105 this April. While living at Parsons Road in Portland, Dot was the eldest of five children of Daniel and Elizabeth Sullivan. She attended Deering High School and graduated from Bates College in 1932 with a degree in French, Phi Beta Iota. The widow of Colonel E.R. Higgins (himself a Mainer, and University of Maine alumnus), Dorothy traveled the world as a military wife, living in Hawaii, Japan and Turkey, among other Army stations. She spent many of her summers enjoying her family camp on Sebago Lake, near South Casco. A lifetime lover of classical music and chocolate, she was a clever woman who sense of humor included Faulty Towers and Everybody Loves Raymond. She is survived by her only child, John Thomas Higgins of West Palm Beach, Fla.; her granddaughter and two great-grandchildren.
Brooklyn Marie Peters BROWNFIELD — Brooklyn Marie Peters, 5 years old, of Misty Lane, died on Jan. 24, 2013, at her home after a courageous battle with J.P.A., a form of brain cancer, which was diagnosed when she was ten months old. She has also been blind since she was 13 months old after a surgery to attempt to remove the tumor. Brooklyn always had a smile on her face and never complained about anything. She was a very independent little girl. She loved music and she loved visiting her Aunt Ginny and Uncle Joe for coffee. She loved going for rides in the car with “Nana” and stopping at Grant’s store for pickles and pepperoni, as well as going to the Depot St. Diner for her burger and fries. She also liked making bacon and Spaghettios at home. Above all, she loved spending time with her loving family and many, many friends. She touched everyone’s life and will be sadly missed by anyone who ever met her. Brooklyn is predeceased by her great-grandmother, Catherine Hinds, and her “Papa,” Frank Warren. Surviving are her mother, Stephanie Bokuniewicz of Brownfield; father, William Peters of Naples; grandmother, “Nana,” Roseann Hinds of Brownfield; a sister, Baileigh Margeson of Brownfield; great-grandfather, “Pa,” George Hinds of Cambridge, Mass.; grandfather, Daniel Bokuniewicz of Malden, Mass.; great-grandmother, Patricia Peters of Maryland; two uncles, Daniel Bokuniewicz, his fiancée Alanna Hurley, and her three children of Brownfield, and Kori Hinds and his girlfriend, Becky Tipton of Brownfield; great-aunt, Sharon Boyle of Mass.; special friends, Aunt Ginny, Uncle Joe and their daughters, Thara and Tessa, who is Brooklyn’s Godmother; special friends, Charlie and Joann Rice; Stephanie’s boyfriend, Jason Margeson; her “BFF,” Dave Collins, and her large loving extended family, friends and her beloved “boyfriends.” Also her loving dogs: Max Paddy, Chomp Chomp, and Ginny and Joe’s dog, Morgan, and their six “kitty”s. Visiting hours will be on Friday, Feb. 1, from 3 to 9 p.m. at Watson, Neal & York Funeral Home, 71 Maple St., Cornish. www.wnyfuneralhome.com. A funeral Mass will be on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 11 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 857 Main St., Fryeburg. A reception will follow at the church. Donations may be made in Brooklyn’s name to: The Maine Children’s Cancer Program, 100 Campus Drive, Scarborough, ME. 04074.