CARIBOU – Alvah “Al” Edward Pangburn, 92, passed away peacefully Nov. 21, 2007, at Stillwater Health Care, Bangor. He was born Aug. 21, 1915, in Caribou, the oldest son of the late Edward and Flora (Gammon) Pangburn. Al graduated from Caribou High School in 1937 and received his bachelor degree in agronomy from the University of Maine at Orono in 1941. At the university, he was a member of Phi Eta Kappa Fraternity; the Alpha Zeta Honor Society, a honorary agricultural fraternity, the Pale Blue Key, a distinguished honorary athletic society; the “M” Club; and the University of Maine Black Bear football team. Upon graduation, he and his beloved wife, Charlotte Hayden, moved to New York where they were married Aug. 30, 1941. While there, he worked for Sidney Production Credit Association until they returned to Caribou, where Al and Charlotte shared 57 years of love and companionship as they raised their family, and became civic minded members of their community. Al returned to his roots and became a self-employed potato farmer in the Caribou area for many years. He also worked at the Farmers Home Administration, assisting area farmers for 23 years. He was a member of Gray Memorial United Methodist Church, and was an active member of the community, serving as a Cub Scout leader and in many farming organizations. He was also active in the Caribou Recreation Department, where he ran the local skating rink and the ski tow for many years. Al enjoyed bringing smiles to many area children when he was Santa’s helper during the Christmas season. He was a proud member of the Caribou Rotary Club for 57 years, where he had perfect attendance for 50 years. He served as club secretary for a number of years before serving a term as club president. Al exemplified the rotary motto of “Service above self,” and proudly received the Paul Harris Fellow Award for his many years of dedication and service to the club. After retiring and moving to Florida, he continued his service by becoming a member of the Plant City Rotary Club. Al and his late wife, Charlotte, were active members of Caribou Hoofers and the Strawberry Square dance clubs. They spent many wonderful years traveling around the country sharing their love of square dancing with their County square dancing friends and making many new friends. Al loved the outdoors and enjoyed many fishing trips with his family. He was always an avid sports fan who enjoyed talking sports as well as watching and attending as many sports activities as possible, especially those of his grandchildren. He loved going to Fenway Park and watching the Red Sox with his family. Later in life, Al took up the game of golf, and enjoyed many beautiful days on the course with his family and friends. Al enjoyed spending his winters in Florida square dancing, golfing and entertaining family and friends before returning to Maine to spend his summers with his family. Al was a loving and devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather to his family. He spent his 92nd birthday surrounded by their love at the lake, where he went on a boat ride before enjoying his birthday dinner of lobster and of course chocolate cake with chocolate ice cream. Nothing made him happier than having all of his family together. He is survived by his three sons and daughters-in-law, Garry and Candace of Washburn, Alan and Linda of Millinocket and Paul and Millie of Orono. Grampy Al, also affectionately known as “Dundee,” had eight very special grandchildren, Stephen and wife, Mia, of Easton, Heather Bragg and husband, Ricky, of Washburn, Jason and wife, Jaime, of Eddington, Melissa Kershaw and husband, David, of Belmont, Mass., Scott and wife, Lisa, of Dover-Foxcroft, Katy of Oakfield and Millinocket, Paul E.J. and wife, Samantha, of Peterborough, N.H., and Jody of Leverett, Mass. He was so proud of his great-grandchildren, Eli Pangburn, Michaela, Cameron and Connor Bragg, and Jonathon and Jacquelynn Pangburn; and his great-stepgrandchildren, Danielle, Emily and Chase Hutchinson of Dover-Foxcroft. He is also survived by his only sister, Pauline Butler of New Hampshire; his two brothers-in-law, Philip Hayden of Presque Isle and David White of Linneus. Al was predeceased by his beloved wife, Charlotte, in 1999; his two brothers, Charles and Glenn; and his great-granddaughter, Miranda Bragg. Al’s family extends a heartfelt thank you to the entire staff of Stillwater Health Care for their compassion, dedication and loving care of him for the past two and a half years. We truly appreciate the warm, welcoming family atmosphere that you provided for him. It was a great comfort to all of us to know that he was in such caring, capable hands. In following Al’s wishes, there will be no viewing hours. Committal services celebrating his life will be held in the spring at Evergreen Cemetery. Friends who wish to contribute in Mr. Pangburn’s memory may do so through Gray Memorial United Methodist Church, Caribou, or to Caribou Rotary Club Scholarship fund. Envelopes may be obtained through the funeral home. Arrangements are by Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir St., Caribou. Messages and memories may be expressed through www.mocklerfuneralhome.com.
ALVAH ‘AL’ EDWARD PANGBURN
