Ivan W. Gesner

BUCKFIELD - Ivan William Gesner, 90, of Buckfield passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. He was born in East Sumner on September 22, 1920, the son of Thomas S. and Tena F. Bonney Gesner. He attended schools in Sumner and Buckfield and Dexter Machinist school. He faithfully served our country in the U.S. Air Force during World War II as an airplane mechanic. He worked in the woods with horses for a number of years before being employed by Withington’s, Maine Apple Growers, J. W. Penney and retired from Modern Woodcraft. He married Marjorie Damon on July 18, 1944.

He loved playing baseball and boxing. He was a member of John D. Long American Legion Post #58 in Buckfield. He was a Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics fan. His favorite thing was a trip over Streaked Mountain nearly every morning to Dunkin Donuts and his bean hole baked beans at all of summer family gatherings.

Mr. Gesner is survived by his wife of Buckfield; daughters, Mary Ann Gesner and partner Hannah Trowbridge, Judith Bennett and husband Stephen, Linda Cooper and Wendy Therrien and husband Patrick; son, Thomas Gesner and partner Lee Darling; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren with another on the way; one great-great-grandchild with another on the way; sisters-in-law, Gladys Newbegin, Betty Atkinson and Millie Newton; a brother-in-law, Dick Pope; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was predeceased by five sisters, Lillian Daniels, Winifred Holmes, Barbara Goding, Frances Damon and Joan Pope and a brother, Merle Gesner.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, October 30 at Andrews Funeral Home, High St., Buckfield followed by interment at Elmwood Cemetery in E. Sumner. Family and friends called at the funeral home on Friday evening. Donations in his memory can be made to Buckfield Rescue. On-line condolences may be shared with his family at www.andrewsgreenleaf.com.

Ivan W. Gesner Photo:

Ivan W. Gesner