Coggins, Robert
Oct. 9, 1920 - May 19, 2003
Robert Winthrop Coggins, former Director of the General Services Administration’s Appraisal Department, passed away on May 19 from heart failure. He was 82.
His wife, Dorothy Rabbitt Coggins, whom he shared 53 years of marriage, survives him, a resident of Alexandria, Va., since 1967. In addition to his wife, Mr. Coggins is survived by their four children and their spouses: Elaine and Gary Gramp of Lorton, Va., Susan and Robert Coggins II of Centreville, Va., Nancy and James Coggins of Jacksonville, Fla., and Rebecca and Eric Propst of Avondale, Penn., their ten grandchildren, Allison, Lauren,Chandler, Donald, Katie, Sarah, Kevin, Megan, Melissa and Erika; brother, David Coggins and two sisters, Barbara Starratt and Beverly Coggins.
Mr. Coggins is predeceased by two brothers: Benjamin Coggins of Tisbury, Mass., and Dana Coggins of Mattapoisitte, Mass.
Mr. Coggins was born on Oct. 9, 1920 in Attleboro, Mass., to Alice Chandler of Newcastle and Benjamin Wallace Coggins of Machias. He was raised primarily in Pittsfield, Mass. After his graduation from Lenox Prep School, his family moved to Martha’s Vineyard Island in 1939. He was graduated from Yale University in 1943 (Class of ’44) and received his diploma aboard ship as he served in the Navy on the USS Omaha and Huntington during W.W. II. He was a Gunnery Officer attaining the rank of Lieutenant.
After being separated from the Navy in July 1946, Mr. Coggins returned to Martha’s Vineyard Island and worked in the family business.
In April of 1950, he married Dorothy Rabbitt also of Martha’s Vineyard. They moved to Hingham, Mass., where Dunn and Bradstreet employed him in Boston. In 1960, Mr. Coggins started a new career with G.S.A. as a Real Estate Appraiser. This eventually led to his moving to Alexandria, Va., in 1967 to work in Washington D.C.
Mr. Coggins and his wife maintain a summer residence in Newcastle. He enjoyed history, politics, the Washington Redskins, and the Portland Seadogs, but most of all he enjoyed his family.
Mr. Coggins will be buried on Martha’s Vineyard Island on May 31. Graveside service 11 a.m., in the Oak Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.
Welter, Erica
May 15, 1898 - May 24, 2003
Erica Mather Welter, 105, of Damariscotta, died peacefully in her sleep on May 24, at her home on the Bristol Rd.
Born May 15, 1898 in Higher Broughton, England, she was the second of four children. She remembered Queen Victoria’s funeral and the first flight at Kitty Hawk before coming to America at the age of eight.
She graduated from the Glenwood, N.J. schools and later attended Sargeant School of Physical Education and Teachers College, Columbia University, majoring in Health Education and Physical Therapy.
Erica worked as a civilian physical therapist with W.W. I soldiers. She taught in New York City public schools for many years. In W.W. II she was a registered physical therapist and a lieutenant in the Woman’s Army Corps.
In 1934, a teacher friend introduced Erica to Maine to help out with the Welter children in South Bristol. In 1946 she bought her cottage in South Bristol an in 1955 her house on the Bristol Rd., where she lived for the rest of her life. Erica married Amthor Welter in 1961.
The rebuilding and restoration of the historic Thompson Ice House in South Bristol became a 40-year project and passion, culminating in the formation of the Thompson Ice House Preservation Corporation and the opening of the museum in August 1990. There are close to a 1000 supporters of the museum in many states as well as Great Britain. Many of these attend the annual cutting of the ice each winter. Erica herself attended the cutting this year, at the age of 104, declaring it the “best day of her life.”
Erica attended Midcoast Friends Meeting (Quakers) for more than 30 years and wrote lively letters to various papers expressing her concerns for peace, justice and the environment. For many years she was actively involved in the Association of the University Women, the Garden Club, and the Woman’s Club of Damariscotta.
Widely traveled, Erica delighted many school groups and local organizations with slide shows of her travels and her work with the ice house.
Erica was predeceased by her husband in 1970.
She is survived by her sister Christine Mather of Lakewood, N.J.; niece Mary Ehbrecht of New Milford, Conn.; and many relatives of her husband whom she considered her own. Her dedicated caregiver, William Ladlee, also survives her.
Memorial service will be held at the Friend’s Meeting House on Belvedere Rd., Damariscotta, Sun., June 15, 2 p.m.
Gifts in Erica’s name may be made to the Thompson Ice House Preservation Corporation, P.O. Box 215, South Bristol, 04568.
Dodge, Leon
May 8, 1921 - April 12, 2003
Leon A. Dodge, Jr., 81, of Damariscotta, passed away on April 12 at Joshua Tree, in Morongo Valley, Cal., following complications from a recent stroke.
He was born in Damariscotta on May 8, 1921, the son of the late Leon A. Dodge and Christine (Huston) Dodge.
His brother recalls that “Lee was a real math whiz, great with numbers,” and that he delighted in inventing games. He had a lifelong love of walking in the woods, where he maintained excellent trails.
Very keen on the inspection of new building construction, he never tired of discussing what The Latest in modern plumbing and heating.
For most of his life, Lee was on hand to lend help to his widowed mother and brother at their homes. He occasionally traveled with family members to California, Florida, and the Bahamas.
Mr. Dodge is survived by his brother, Joel Huston Dodge of Damariscotta, and his nephew Joel Dodge Jr. of Nobleboro.
A private memorial was held at Bethlehem Cemetery on May 23.
Anderson, Brett
Sept. 9, 1962 -
Brett David Anderson, 40, of Nobleboro, passed away unexpectedly at his home on May 24. He was born in Damariscotta, on Sept. 9, 1962 the son of Donna (Chickering) and Charles W. Anderson, Sr.
He graduated from Lincoln Academy in Newcastle in 1981. He became a builder and skilled finish carpenter employed by Rob Leavitt Builders.
He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed the sanctuary of nature. Brett loved gardening, fishing, kayaking, karate, camping especially with a good bonfire in the company of his family and friends. He enjoyed barbecuing and was a master at doing so. He enjoyed collecting various treasures of old as well as collecting baseball cards with his two sons.
He is survived by his two loving sons, Bryce and Devan Anderson and their mother Kyla Farrar of Bremen, his brother Chuck Anderson and his wife Amy and their son Liam of Bristol, many aunts, uncles and cousins as well as his close companion Laura Cabot of Waldoboro, and his dog “Lady.”
He is fondly remembered by a close circle of friends, family and loved ones as a hard worker with an eye for detail as well as a good friend who was always willing to lend a hand.
Visiting hours at Strong Funeral Home in Damariscotta Thurs. May 29, 6-8 p.m. Graveside service Fri., May 30, 11 a.m. at the Bristol Mills Cemetery with a reception to follow at the home of his aunt Mickey Brackett of Bristol.
Memorial donation may be made in kind to either the First Responders of Nobleboro, Central Lincoln County Ambulance or to a account to benefit Bryce and Devan Anderson at Bath Savings in Damariscotta.
Arrangements are under the care of Strong Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
Harris, Warren
Dec. 6, 1916 - May 28, 2003
Warren Ellsworth Harris, husband of the late, Elizabeth “Nellie” Harris, died May 28 at Cove’s Edge in Damariscotta, he was 86.
Mr. Harris was born in Trenton, N.J. on Dec. 6, 1916, the son of Leslie N. and Ramah Harris. He graduated from Trenton Central High School, Class of 1936. Mr. Harris served in the Army and Air Force as a Technical Sergeant during WW II and Korea. In 1953 Mr. Harris married his wife of 49 years, Elizabeth “Nellie” Dow. They lived in Levittown, Penn., and then West Trenton, N.J. where they had four children.
Mr. Harris was employed as a Safety Inspector with the New Jersey Department of Labor and industry for 20 years and served as Industry Defense Coordinator for the N.J. National Civil Defense Program; after retiring from the New Jersey Department of Labor he moved his family to Maine in 1971, and worked at the Nobleboro and Waldoboro Post Offices. He was a proud member of the American Legion and Elks.
Predeceased by his loving wife Elizabeth “Nellie” Harris on May 16 and his brother Charles W. Harris.
He is survived by his sons, Leslie K. and his wife, Paula of South Portland, Robert W. and his wife, Lori of Damariscotta; daughters, Virginia M. Burnham and her husband, David of Damariscotta, Barbara A. Boone and her husband, Brian of Nobleboro; grandchildren, Holly and Stephanie Harris, Jennifer and Graham Burnham and Hannah Boone, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
At Mr. Harris’ request, in lieu of visitation hours and a funeral service, the family will observe a private graveside service. If desired, expressions of sympathy could be made in Warren’s name to: Cove’s Care Fund, C/O Miles Development Office, 42 Belvedere Rd., Damariscotta, 04543.
Arrangements by Hall Funeral Home, Waldoboro.
Taylor, Cecilia
June 10, 1960 - May 30, 2003
Cecilia Taylor, 42, of North Whitefield, passed away May 30 at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta after a brief illness.
She was born in Augusta on June 10, 1960. Cecilia was employed by Joseph Kirschner Co., for 18 years. She was chief steward for the United Food Workers Union. She was also active in the United Way campaigns.
Cecilia was preceded in death by a brother, Roland Sirois; and a sister, Geneva Skyraven.
Surviving is her husband, Phillip R. Taylor of North Whitefield; a stepson, Phillip R.S. Taylor and his wife Jennifer of Ohio; a stepdaughter, Christina L. Sanborn and her husband, Stephen, of North Whitefield; four brothers, Norman Sirois of Lebanon, Maurice Sirois of Chelsea, Raymond Sirois of Kentucky and Peter Sirois of Augusta; five sisters, Joanne Dechaine of Grand Isle, Reina Dennis of West Gardiner, Therese Peaslee of Rockland, Elizabeth Cody of Florida and Bernadette Sirois of Corinna; three grandchildren, Tyler Crumley of North Whitefield and Emmitt Taylor and Lauren Taylor, both of Ohio; many nieces and nephews; two special cousins, Paul and Irmy Sirois of Lewiston; and her mother-in-law, Bertha T. Taylor of Gardiner.
Cecilia was a person who had a tremendous love for animals of all kinds. Her “family” also included eight loving dogs, six loving cats and two 1100-pound pigs.
Visiting hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Tues., June 3, at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta. Memorial contributions may be made to Kennebec Valley Humane Society, Pet Haven Lane, Augusta, 04330.
Condolences to the family may be expressed via the funeral home web site at www.plummerfh.com.
Wilcock, Joseph
Nov. 11, 1912 - May 12, 2003
Joseph Wilcock, 90, of South Bristol, passed away at Maine Medical Center, Portland, surrounded by his family and friends on May 12. He was born in Bolton, Lancashire, England on Nov. 11, 1912. He was one of six children born to James and Mary Wilcock.
In 1926 he immigrated to the U.S. and lived in the New Bedford, Mass., area. He attended the New Bedford and Westport, Mass. school systems.
On Aug. 24, 1936 he married June M. Morrison and they resided in Westport, Mass. In 1941 his employer General Baking Co. (Bond Bread) transferred him to Portland. They transferred him several times throughout the New England area. After 25 years he opened his own retail bakery and sold it four years later.
He then moved to New Hampshire and worked for Brooke Bond Tea Company as a salesman, later he worked for Toy Distributors Inc., of Framingham, Mass. A brief stint with Giran Valu Supermarkets of Haverhill, Mass., as store manager led him to Giltex Manufacturing as Regional Manager, bringing him to South Bristol. He then retired from Giltex.
Joseph and June became active in the Union Congregational Church of South Bristol. He also served two terms as selectman of South Bristol and spent many hours and days working beside June in her duties as Town Clerk.
Together they were active in the forming of the First Responders in South Bristol and both were members of the South Bristol Volunteer Fire Department.
As a member of the Mason and Eastern Star, he devoted much of his time to them.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilcock spent many hours about their boats, the June M., June M., Two and the June M. Three. His hobbies were model trains and gardening.
Mr. Wilcock is survived by his son, Richard D. Wilcock; daughter-in-law, Margaret M. Wilcock, Dorothy Wilcock; grandchildren Shelley, Debbie, Kevin, Diane, and Cindy; brother, Walter Wilcock of Brewster, Mass., as well as 10 great grandchildren.
Memorial service Sat., June 7, 11 a.m. at the Second Congregational Church in Newcastle. Arrangements are under the care of Strong Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. Interment
will follow at the West Bristol Cemetery.
Should friends desire, donations may be made in his name to: Helping Elders Life Program, C/O. Maine Medical Center, Bramhall St., Portland, 04101.
