Ernest Angevine

Photo:

Ernest Angevine

BETHEL — Ernest Angevine, 92, of Bethel died Sunday afternoon, September 2, 2012 at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway. He was born in Upton on November 28, 1919, the son of John and Gladys Lombard Angevine. 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 Woodland Owners 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.

Mr. and Mrs. Angevine 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 Mr. Angevine 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 Mr. Angevine received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Bethel Chamber of Commerce.

He and his wife 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; daughter, Barbara Willard of Ruidoso, NM; son, Richard and his wife Sue of Upton; daughter, Judith Coolidge and her partner, Richard Cross of Bethel; grandchildren Ricky, Sheri, Kristy, Mary, Timmy, Nathan, Sarah, Jessica, Victoria and their spouses/partners and 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 Mr. Angevine's request there will be a memorial service for family and friends on Sunday, September 9 at 1:30 p.m. at the Bethel Alliance Church, 251 Walkers Mills Road in 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 Saturday, September 8 from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. as scheduled. Arrangements are under the direction of Chandler Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Greenleaf Chapel, 37 Vernon Street, Bethel. On-line condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.