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ObitsDonald Dutil Jr., 68, popular music teacher for MSAD 55Donald Dutil Jr., a popular music teacher and band director for Maine School Administrative District 55, who inspired a love of music in his students, died Tuesday after a long illness. He was 68.  Mr. Dutil became a music teacher for MSAD 55 when it opened Sacopee Valley Junior-Senior High School in 1967. He taught music at elementary schools in Cornish, Hiram, Kezar Falls, Parsonsfield and Baldwin. He also taught at the high school and was the band director for many years. He directed the annual Christmas and spring concerts, and led the high school's marching band in the late 1970s and 1980s. Under his direction, the band won several championships and participated in the Maine State Parade and the Fryeburg Fair Parade for many years. Mr. Dutil was remembered by former students Thursday as a great teacher, who brought out the best in his students. Many of his former students turned to Facebook this week to share stories and memories of him. "He was a great man. He was an inspiration to the kids,"said Diane Day, a former student who teaches at Sacopee Valley High School. "He tried to teach me the clarinet," she said, chuckling. "I wasn't a great student." At the peak of his career, about one-quarter of the high school students were in the band. He retired in 1996. "Don Dutil was more than a teacher and band director Š he was a mentor and a friend," said Jill Dehmer, a former student and business manager for MSAD 55. "Don gave the students that he worked with not only an appreciation for music, but for the community that we lived in and the school that we represented. He took a personal interest in each student that he worked with, often offering down-to-earth advice and a shoulder to lean on when needed." Carl Landry, superintendent of MSAD 55, said people often refer to the glory days of the music program as the "Don Dutil years." "Those words represent a powerful tribute to a true teaching legend," Landry said. "I would like to express my deepest sympathies to DonÕs family. He will be missed by the MSAD 55 community." Mr. Dutil also taught driver education for many years. He was also known for playing "Taps" and "Amazing Grace" on his trumpet during holiday ceremonies in the Sacopee Valley area. He also played trumpet for the Fanfare Community Band, and directed the band for nearly 20 years. He stepped down in 2010 when his health began to decline. Mr. Dutil had diabetes, which caused health problems such as blindness and kidney failure. He was on dialysis for the past seven years and had both legs amputated in the past year. His wife, Linda Dutil, of Sweden, said he started to lose his eyesight eight years ago and has been blind for the past six years. Despite his health problems, he was determined to conduct the band. His wife said he was an inspiration to many people. "He had so many things going against him and he had an upbeat personality and attitude," his wife said. "I admired the way he was with people. He could entertain people. He would smile and make them happy. He had that incredible way of making people feel good about themselves." Mr. Dutil also had a passion for woodworking. His wife said he had a shop in Lovell called "DonÕs Hobby Shoppe," where he enjoyed making furniture. "He loved working with his hands and building things," his wife said. Kathleen Fish Brewer JEFFERSON -- Kathleen Fish Brewer, 58, of Jefferson died at her home on Wednesday, May 9, 2012. She was born in Gardiner on July 10, 1953, a daughter of Harry and Thelma Coulomb Fish. Kathy graduated in 1971 from Gardiner Area High School. She attended the Conservatory School of Music for one year before the school closed. She was encouraged and did transfer to the University of Maine Fort Kent, graduating with a degree in music and elementary education in 1976. She became employed in the Windsor Elementary School before being offered a job to teach in the Gardiner area school district at the O.C. Woodman School until it closed. She then traveled between schools teaching music before taking a full-time position at Pittston Elementary School to teach fifth grade, where she taught until retiring at the end of the school year in 2010. As a young woman, she joined the Grange Organization on a bet and was quite active her whole life. She served on the State Youth Committee for years, and held several offices, including master of Pittston Grange, master of East Kennebec Pomona, master of Meenahga Grange, and ceres, Pomoma and most recently being elected and installed as flora of the Maine State Grange, which she served until her death. Kathy also had a beautiful singing voice, using her gift by singing in a group called Adelphoi. She also sang at several weddings, sang with other talented singers in the Grange and was soloist on her husband's Grange installing team, just to name a few. Kathy was an avid Boston Red Sox, Bruins and New England Patriot fan. She was predeceased by her parents, Harry and Thelma Fish, of Gardiner. She is survived by her husband, Patrick Brewer, of Jefferson; a brother, Miles Fish, of Somerville, Mass.; two sisters, Shirley DeSalvo and husband Wayne of Sebring, Fla., and Virginia Pratt and husband Charles of N. Fort Myers, Fla.; and six nephews and three nieces. Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 13, at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner. A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, May 14, at Highland Avenue United Methodist Church, Gardiner. Burial will follow in Sheppard's Cemetery, Jefferson. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Maine State Grange Educational Aid Fund, c/o Ronald Dolloff, 100 Pine St., Waldoboro, ME 04572. Published in Kennebec Journal on May 11, 2012 Albert E. Weymouth Jr. Maine Government News Back to current news. Governor Mourns Passing of Former Bangor Mayor Albert Weymouth Jr. April 3, 2008 Governor's Office AUGUSTA Š Governor John E. Baldacci was saddened to learn of the death of Albert Weymouth Jr., former Mayor of Bangor. Weymouth had served as a professor at Husson College for more than three decades before retiring. He served on the Bangor School Committee and on the Bangor City Council. Al was a dedicated educator and public servant, a true gentleman who served the City of Bangor for many years with great commitment, said Governor Baldacci. I was honored to serve on the Bangor City Council with Al, and will remember him as a very hard worker who loved serving the people of Maine.  Albert E. Weymouth Jr. of BANGOR Albert E. Weymouth Jr., 82, went home to the Lord April 3, 2008, after complications from a stroke, after many years with Alzheimer's disease. Born Jan. 25, 1926, in Orono, he was the son of Albert E. and Leona (St. Peter) Weymouth. Albert was a graduate of Crosby High School, Belfast, where he later taught. After high school he went on to serve in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946, as a radio operator on the hospital ship, USS Tranquility, serving in the Pacific. After the Navy Albert attended the University of Maine, Orono, where he was very active in the Maine Masque and debate clubs, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in education. Albert enjoyed a fulfilling career in education. He taught English and speech at Bar Harbor High School from 1951 to 1954, then speech and social studies at Crosby High School, Belfast, where his father also taught, and where he directed many plays. He was then a professor of English and speech at Husson College for more than 30 years, where he also was the director of the Husson Players. He judged many one-act high school plays and taught a summer course in parliamentary procedures at Salve Regina, Newport, R.I., for several years. Albert was also involved in many organizations. He was a member of Belfast Volunteer Fire Department, Belfast Police Depart-ment, NEA of Maine, Waldo County Teachers Association, Speech Association of America, Dirigo Boys State, Maine Speech Association, which he was a past president, Belfast Teacher Association and Bar Harbor Teachers Association, which he was a past president. He was an active member of the Roman Catholic churches in Belfast and Bangor, and was a member of Belfast Rotary. Albert served on the board of directors for Bangor Federal Credit Union and was a very active volunteer for the United Way and March of Dimes. Albert also served six years on Bangor City Council, including two years as Bangor's mayor. Many will miss his sense of humor, which included many witty Limericks and puns. Albert is survived by his former wife, Alice Weymouth of Scarborough; children, Mon-ica Kimel and her husband, Dave, of St. Albans, Vt., Mary-Alice Curtis and her husband, Dean, of Hampden, Albert "Bud" Weymouth and his wife, Cindy, of Westbrook, Valerie Sowles and her husband, Bill, of Yarmouth, Bernadette Wood-cock and her husband, Peter, of Gorham, Victoria Smith and her husband, Brian, of Bedford, N.H., and Jason Weymouth and his companion, Heather Sharkey, of Brewer; grandchildren, David Kimel and his wife, Stephanie, and their children, Brynn and Brooke of Laver Grove, Minn., Jennifer Dameron and her husband, Murray, of Charlotte, N.C., Tiffany Palmer and her husband, Chris, and their children, Aiden and a baby girl, Emma, due in June, of Old Town, Cherie-Lynn Curtis, Aaron Weymouth and his wife, Melissa, and their child, Evan of Brunswick, Carrie Weymouth, Kristen O'Connell, Bri-anna O'Connell, Haden Woodcock, Madison Woodcock, Col-by Smith, MacKenzie Smith, Matthew Weymouth; and several stepgrandchildren. Albert was predeceased by his mother, Leona; his father, Albert Sr.; his sister, Lois; and his unborn baby boy, Christopher, in 1957. The family would like to thank the staff at Westgate Manor for all the care and compassion they have given Al during his seven years at Westgate. Thank you all for the quality of life that you gave to him and those special moments of memories. "Time may erase the memories of the mind, but the memories of the heart will never unwind." Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, at St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rev. Thomas Lequin pastor, presider. Internment will be later in the spring. Donations may be made in Al's memory to Westgate Manor Activities Fund, 750 Union St., Bangor ME 04401. Online condolences may be made at www.BrookingsSmith.com. Carol J. (Nolette) Edgecomb 
OLD TOWN - Carol J. (Nolette) Edgecomb, 57, passed away June 27, 2008. She was born Dec. 20, 1950, in Bangor, the daughter of Edmund J. and Catherine "Kay" M. (Violette) Nolette. Carol was a 30-year resident of Old Town and sum-mer resident of Chemo Pond. Carol grew up in Bradley and graduated high school from Mount Merici Academy, Waterville. She was a graduate of Sherwood Music School, Chicago and attended Northern Conservatory of Music, Bangor. Carol was a member of Saint Jean de Baptiste Society and a former member of Daughters of Isabella. Carol was a well-known and accomplished pianist, musician and teacher in the Old Town School Department. For many years, she taught music in grades K-1 through K-12. She taught high school chorus and frequently substituted in other subjects at the high school. Carol taught private lessons in piano and organ to many local residents. She also played piano accompaniment for weddings, funerals, senior citizen activities and other music events. Carol provided the musical accompaniment to Old Town High School graduations. Carol is survived by her father, Edmund J. Nolette of Del-ray Beach, Fla.; sister, Nancy A. Nolette of Boulder City, Nev.; two daughters, Renee A. Edgecomb of Veazie and Nicole N. Edgecomb of Somerville, Mass.; grandson, Anthony N. Monroe Jr.; aunt, Velma C. Kinerson of Orono; longtime close friend, Joseph Nadeau of Massachusetts; and many cousins. Carol was predeceased by her brother, Peter Nolette in 1977; and mother, Catherine "Kay" Nolette in 1999. In memory of Carol, family and friends will be gathering 7-9 p.m. Sunday, June 29, at Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St., Old Town. A celebration honoring Carol's life with family and friends will be held 10 a.m. Monday, June 30, at Holy Family Parish, 429 Main St., Old Town, followed by a light luncheon in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Family Parish Building Fund or the American Cancer Society, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086. Services entrusted to Birmingham Funeral Home. BEATRICE LUCY FARMER MILEWSKI STRONG -- Beatrice Lucy Farmer Milewski died Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, at her home in Strong, after a long, courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her family. Beatrice was born in Farmington on Nov. 12, 1949, to Ruby and Vincent Thaxter Farmer. She grew up in Temple as the youngest of five in the rambunctious family. Her elementary schooling was at the one-room Red Schoolhouse in Temple, and she graduated from Farmington High School. She attended the Northern Conservatory of Music in Bangor and graduated with a bachelor's degree in music education. While attending the conservatory, she met and married the love of her life, Charles D. Milewski of Burnham. After college, they settled in Strong where they raised their three children: Scott, Luci and Chris. Beatrice began her career as a music teacher where the difficulty of her new last name presented a challenge for students. She would ask, "Do you ski? You have a right ski and a left ski. My name is pronounced 'My-left-ski'." She taught for several years before she and Charles decided to build their own business. They ran The Lunch Box in Strong for five years before running the Strong Nursing Home for 15 years, encouraging many employees to pursue their own dreams in the fields of nursing and education. She returned to her love of teaching music in the public school system in 1995, until she retired this spring due to her difficult illness. Beatrice recognized and acknowledged that God had gifted her with a love and talent of music and believed it her mission to share the love and talent with as many as she was able. Having given her life to Christ at a young age, she was always involved with the church, and when she and Charles settled in Strong, she became the choir director at the Strong United Methodist Church. The annual Christmas Cantata performed in Strong and Fairbanks every year was one of her favorite remembrances, reaching out to the entire community to share her faith and music. In addition to music, she had a variety of interests: crafting, writing, reading, genealogy, story-telling and most notably: cooking. Many knew her as "Aunt Bea" from her stint on her radio show "Aunt Bea's Kitchen" and she even published a cookbook. She co-ran a catering company and always kept her family and friends well-fed with new and old-favorite recipes. Beatrice was an inspiration for many, always with a kind word and probably a song-phrase to go with it. With so many friends and acquaintances, she either "went to school with you" or "taught you in school" as were two of her often-used phrases. There are many she held dear in her heart, but so many more that hold her dear in theirs. She was and is dearly loved and all who knew her will cherish her memory. Beatrice was predeceased by her parents, Ruby and Thaxter Farmer; and her brothers, Bert Farmer and Hartley Farmer. Her survivors include: her beloved husband, Charles Milewski of Strong; son Scott and his wife, Carlene, of Augusta; daughter Luci of Farmington; son Chris of Strong; sister Glenna Barden of Strong; brother Erald Farmer of Temple; two beautiful grandchildren, Karalee and Ainslie; and many nieces and nephews. Having conducted and directed many choirs and bands in her life, she knew when to turn the page. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the scholarship fund being set up in her name. Checks may be made payable to MSAD 58, Attn: Bea Milewski Scholarship Fund, 110 North Main St., Strong, ME 04983. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at Strong United Methodist Church in Strong with the Revs. Hubley, John Tolman, and William Carter officiating. Visitation hours will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, at the same church. Interment in the West Freeman Cemetery in West Freeman.  STANLEY CAYTING  FRANK WALKER BANGOR and SOUTH PORTLAND - Frank C. Walker, 62, died May 12, 2006, at a Portland hospital. He was born May 10, 1944, in Portland, the son of William and Marion (Wheeler) Walker. Frank graduated from South Portland High School in 1963 and received his bachelor's degree in education in 1968, from the Northern Conservatory of Music, Bangor. Frank had a great love and passion for music and sharing it with others. He taught in the Bangor school system for 28 years, 23 of those years as director of bands. To quote Frank, "There is always a Band." Frank was head of the percussion department for the Northern Conservatory of Music, St. John's Episcopal Choir, director of Central Maine Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and chairman of the Board of Directors MMEA District 5. He was assistant Scout Master, Cub Master, farm league and little league coach. He was a member of St. Andrews Lodge No. 83 A.F. & A.M., Bangor, Scottish Rite Bodies Valley of Bangor, Maine Consistory 32nd degree, member of Anah Shriners since 1971, director of the Anah Chanters and Band for many years, director of the Lakes Chorus, board member of both the Grace United Methodist Church and Capeheart Community Church. He is survived by his loving wife, Donna (Cota) Walker of South Portland; two sons, David Walker and his wife, Kim, of West Gardiner, Paul Walker and his wife, Lauren, of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; one daughter, Laura Walker and her fiance, Reid Stevens, of Hermon; three stepdaughters, Michele Brown and Kevin Bolduc of North Yarmouth, Valerie Campbell and her husband, Renoir LaPointe, of Cumberland, Mardi Campbell and her fiance, Matt McKay, of Bangor; four grandchildren, whom he loved and adored, Alexandra Brown, Elizabeth Walker, Andrew Walker, and Brandon Campbell. He would like to be remembered as "He loved and was loved." In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, Albert and Gordon Walker. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Monday, May 15, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, where a Masonic memorial service will be held 7:30 p.m. by the officers and members of St. Andrews Lodge No. 83. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 16, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, with the Rev. Dr. Randall C. Chretien, pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Bangor, officiating. Interment will be at Riverside Annex Cemetery, South Paris. If you would like to remember Frank in a special way, gifts in his memory may be sent to the American Cancer Society, One Main St., Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086 or Shriners Hospitals for Children, care of Anah Shriners, P.O. Box 735, Bangor, ME 04402-0735. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.Brookings-Smith.com Water Duguay  
During this past year, Walter Duguay died after suffering a brain tumor. Even his name puts a smile on my face with the memories of that foolish smile, that bandana on his head that fiddle in his hand at his recital when his encore was done with the "gypsy violin." As my mentor, my freshman year, he taught me how to look good, if not sound good for violin class. As a Franciscan brother, he was a spiritual inspiration, as well. His obituary ended with two lines very typical of Walter: "God has called Walter to join the Heavenly choir. We all know that Walter had already become choir director." Alumni President
Next three obituaries taken from UMO alumni records, so dates can refer to graduation. Mr Veague 
Mr Burgoyne 
Phyllis Lord  |
