BAR HARBOR – Alvah A. Strout, 80, died after a brief illness Aug. 3, 2007, at a Bangor hospital. He was born Dec. 3, 1926, in Bar Harbor, to Adfer A. and Helen (Hanscom) Strout. Alvah grew up in Hulls Cove and attended Bar Harbor High School, graduating in 1944. After high school, Alvah enlisted in the U.S. Navy and operated machine guns in aircraft’s during World War II, although he never saw any action since the war ended halfway through his Pacific crossing. After his stint in the armed services, Alvah married the love of his life, Alberta Dunton. They raised six children in their home in Degregoire Park and came to enjoy their many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Alvah worked at Morrison Chevrolet for 33 years, becoming top salesman for New England many years in a row, and ending his career as manager. After Morrison Chevrolet, Alvah tried his hand at lobstering with his eldest son, Stephen, aboard the legendary Miss April, named for Alvah’s first-born granddaughter, April Cough Hansbury. The Strout duo also dabbled a bit in the scalloping business, though after a few years of hard work, Alvah decided that he was better suited as a master jack-of- most-trades, namely carpentry. He spent his later years caretaking, painting and building many beautifully detailed wooden pieces, including his famous checkerboards. Alvah worked at Bar Harbor Boating Co. for his good friend, John Cochran. Since his early years, Alvah was a mason and a devoted member of Eden Baptist Church, Salisbury Cove, and later became deacon and a favorite parishioner of many members. Until his last days, Alvah remained a devoted husband, a loving and caring father and a fun loving grandfather. His family remembers him as a warm and congenial man, often a social butterfly, who was in constant good humor and always eager to lend an ear to anyone’s concerns or celebrations, no matter how trivial. Alvah took great joy in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren and particularly enjoyed seeing his young great-grandchildren. He enjoyed the many small luxuries in his life, especially nightly games of horseshoes, checkers and his favorite card game, pitch, all of which he typically won! A few of his favorite pastimes were beating Sonny Cough at liar’s poker; spending time with his family and friends at his hunting camp, Rock Crossing in Trenton; snowmobiling up north and creating lovely gardens around his home in Hulls Cove. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Alberta; and his sisters, Louise Manza and her hus-band, Frances and Claire Nickerson. Also, lovingly remembered by his six children and families, Stephen and Helen Strout of Hulls Cove, Joseph Strout and his wife, Terry Levesque, of Trenton, Ann Cough and her husband, Steve, of Bar Harbor, Jennifer Westphal and her husband, Michael, of Great Cranberry Island, Janice Strout and her partner, Alex Kayner, of Hulls Cove and Penny Dunn and her husband, Tom, of Hulls Cove and Otis; grandchildren, April Cough Hansbury and her husband, Kurt, Ben Strout and his wife, Michelle Connor, Joelle Strout Rowe and her husband, Ernie, Andy Cough, Gabriel and Brendon Westphal, Elana Strout, Dustin and Danny Dunn; and great-grandchildren, Georgia, Flynn and Eli Hansbury. He was predeceased by his parents; and his sister, Alfreda Stanley. Friends are invited to call 4-6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6, at Jordan-Fernald, 48 Eden St., Bar Harbor. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday at Eden Baptist Church, Bar Harbor, with Pastor Robert Maddocks officiating. Contributions in Alvah’s memory may be made to Eden Baptist Church, care of Mary Rush, 919 State Highway 3, Bar Harbor, ME 04609. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com
ALVAH A. STROUT
