Leo F. Kersey, Jr.

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Leo F. Kersey, Jr.

RUMFORD — Leo Francis Patrick “Demps” Kersey, Jr. passed away peacefully on December 18, 2012 in Rumford after living a full life. He was born in Rumford on September 5, 1922, the only son of Leo F. and Melia Marie (Marceau) Kersey, Sr.

After graduating from Stephens High School in 1942, he enlisted in the US Army. He was a proud Veteran who earned the rank of sergeant in WW II. He fought in the heroic battle of Iwo Jima and was there to bear witness to the raising of the US Flag on Mount Suribachi.

On September 5, 1951 he married the love of his life, Frances Ruth Ellis, who died July 2, 2012 in Rumford. They wanted a big family and together they raised six children of whom they were very proud. The family enjoyed traveling together and most of all spending summers at Roxbury Pond.

He was founder and proprietor of The Mexico Chicken Coop which he and his wife continued to operate until his retirement. The Coop was more than an occupation, it was a lifestyle that they enjoyed for five decades.

An avid football fan, he played semi pro football for the VFW and enjoyed watching the Patriots, as well as his favorite team, The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. He was also a passionate hunter, fisherman, and enjoyed his time salmon fishing at his camp on The Miramachi River. He loved entertaining family and his long list of great friends, and had an uncanny way with the English vocabulary.

Mr. Kersey is survived by a daughter, Charlene Kersey Newcomb and Doug Ryan; three sons, Leo F. Kersey, III and wife Lori-Lynne, Michael Kersey and wife Candy and Patrick Kersey and wife Deanna; sons-in-law, David Martineau and Bob Slover; nine grandchildren, Lori Fakler, Kelly Martineau, Matthew Slover, George Newcomb III, Leo Kersey IV, Erik Kersey, Brooke Kersey, Michael Kersey Jr. and Kathleen Kersey; four great-grandchildren, Jackson and Bryce Fakler and Tucker and Ava Sastamoine and a brother, Tim Kersey and wife Judy, and his “big kid” Steve Chaisson.

In heaven he joins his wife, Frances and daughters Colleen Kersey Martineau and Kathleen Kersey.

He was true, loving, welcoming, trusting and generous and his parting words to all would be “Tight Lines.”

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 4, 2013 at Parish of the Holy Parish, St. Athanasius – St. John Church, 126 Maine Avenue, Rumford. Interment in the spring will be in St. John Cemetery, Rumford. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Oncology Department c/o Community Relations, Rumford Hospital 420 Franklin Street, Rumford, ME 04276 in his memory. Arrangements are under the care of the Meader & Son Funeral Home, 3 Franklin Street, P. O. Box 537, Rumford. Friends are invited to sign the family guest book and share their thoughts, condolences and memories online at www.meaderandson.com.