BATH – Arthur E. Tainter Sr., 81, of Middle Street, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007, at a Brunswick Hospital. He was born Aug. 5, 1925, in Brooklin, a son of Pearle Rufus and Lillian B. (Grindle) Tainter. He attended Brooklin schools and graduated from Brooklin High School as valedictorian in 1943, where he also excelled in many sports. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1947 during World War II. Arthur played baseball for the New York Giants baseball organization until injuries ended his career. He was employed by the Bath Police Department from 1952 to 1963, and inducted into their Hall of Fame in Savannah, Ga. Arthur became the first full time director of the Bath Recreation Department in 1963, retiring in 1977. He had a ball field named in his honor. He also was instrumental in starting women’s softball in Maine. He was elected sheriff of Sagadahoc County in 1977, serving six consecutive terms, retiring in 1988. On May 2, 1993, he married Denise L. Vachon. In December 1993 he was elected to the Bath City Council and served until June 15, 1999, when he ran for County Commissioner, and served until present. He is survived by his wife, Denise L. Tainter of Bath; two sons, Arthur E. Tainter Jr. of Waldoboro and James Tainter of Woolwich; two daughters, Trudy Snowdon of Woolwich and Jane Bucklin of Groton, Conn.; one sister, Priscilla Allen and her companion, Edwin Pert, of Sedgewick and West Palm Beach, Fla.; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Visiting hours will be held 4-8 p.m. Sunday at Mayo, Curtis & Hill Funeral Home, 819 High St., Bath. A Mass of Christian burial with military honors will be celebrated 11 a.m. Monday at St. Mary’s Ca-tholic Church with Fr. Richard P. Rice officiating. Burial will be at St. Peters Cemetery, Lewiston, in the spring. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fields for Future Fund, care of Bath Recreation Department, Sheridan Road, Bath, ME 04530. The donations will be used to enhance Tainter sports fields on Congress Avenue.
ARTHUR E. TAINTER SR.
