Ernest Angevine

NORWAY -- Ernest Angevine, 92, of Bethel died on Sept. 2, 2012 at Stephens Memorial Hospital.

He was born on November 28, 1919, the son of John and Gladys Lombard Angevine in Upton. He was the third child in a family of 11 children. He attended school in Upton and in 1966 received his GED from Farmington Teacher’s College. Through his teen years he worked on many logging operations as a cookee, river driver, teamster and crosscut sawyer.

On March 6, 1941 he married Alberta Helen Abbott of Rumford Point. In May of 1941, they moved to Bethel where they have remained ever since.

He was a WWII veteran stationed in Europe with the 945th Field Artillery battalion under General George Patton. He belonged to the Mundt Allen Post 81 American Legion in Bethel for over 60 years and was a past commander and a life paid up member.

He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, a member of Bethel Lodge AF & AM #97 and Kora Temple. He was a life member of the Bethel Historical Society and of the Small Woodlots Association of Maine.

Over the years, he served on several town committees, and was chairman of the Riverside Cemetery Board of Directors for over 20 years. He also served as treasurer of the Mt. Abram Fish and Game Club for many years.

Ernest and his wife owned and operated their own small engine sales and service for over 30 years on Main Street in Bethel. Many people from surrounding areas will remember him being the first McCulloch and Ski-doo dealer in the area.

After closing his business, he retired to logging on his own woodlots. He loved his trees and worked hard on his land. He and his wife became Tree Farmers of the Year in 1992, again in 2003 and 2006. And this year they became the 2012 State of Maine Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year. In 2001, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Bethel Chamber of Commerce.

Ernest and Alberta enjoyed traveling all over the continental United States as well as Hawaii, Alaska and several Canadian provinces. He loved working in the outdoors. He made weather sticks and walking sticks for his many friends and family members. He also loved learning and working on his many ideas to make life easier. He could fix almost anything.

Survivors include his wife of Bethel; two daughters, Barbara Willard of Ruidoso, NM, and Judith Coolidge and her partner, Richard Cross of Bethel; his son, Richard and his wife, Sue of Upton; grandchildren, Ricky, Sheri, Kristy, Mary, Timmy, Nathan, Sarah, Jessica, Victoria and their spouses/partners as well as his many great grandchildren. He was very proud of all their accomplishments.

He is also survived by his brothers, Avery of Bethel, and John and his wife, Connie of Stewartstown, NH; a sister, Mary Agnes Deblois of Shelburne, NH; and a brother-in-law, Carl Holt of Berlin, NH.

He was predeceased by his brothers, Everett and George; sisters, Louella, Helen, Suzanne, Katherine and Carrie; and a son-in-law, Bryan Willard.

At Ernest’s request there will be a memorial service for family and friends to attend at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Bethel Alliance Church, 251 Walkers Mills Rd., Bethel. Donations in his memory may be made to the Town of Bethel for upkeep and improvements for Angevine Park. The Tree Farm and SWOAM Field Day planned to honor Ernest and Alberta as Tree Farmer of the Year will be held as scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday as scheduled.