LINCOLNVILLE – Bronislaw “Ben” R. Mikutajcis, 86, died Sunday, Jan. 2, 2005, at a Bangor hospital. He was born May 9, 1918, in Maynard, Mass., the son of the late John and Helen Mikutajcis. Ben served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in Panama. He later entered Civil Service, and was proud of the work he did at Lincoln Laboratory at Hanscom Field, Mass. There he worked on projects for NASA; including the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Mariner missions into Space. In 1946, Ben met and married Florence (LaPlante) of Old Town where they were very active in both the community and the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. In 1971, Ben and Florence retired and moved to Lincolnville, where they were active in many community groups and the Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church in Camden. Ben was a man of many interests and hobbies including photography, music, drawing, painting and cooking. Outdoors, Ben enjoyed fishing, hiking in the woods and mushrooming. Although he enjoyed the many hobbies he had, his real love was for electronics and technology. Ben was a ham radio operator (WIMSF) his whole life in which he and Florence enjoyed meeting and entertaining hundreds of “ham” friends who came to visit from all over the world. In retirement, he was active in the local ham radio club and the Rockland Lions Club. Ben especially enjoyed meteorology and his beautiful vegetable garden, which he shared with friends, family and even local restaurants. He is survived by a step-daughter, Beverly Ferland of Milford; three grandchildren, Donna Shaheen of Orlando, Fla., Andrea Fanning and her husband, Rich, of Windham and Karl Diehl of Jacksonville, Fla.; two great-grandchildren, Marissa and Nicolas Fanning of Windham; two sisters-in-law, Charlene O’Keefe of Old Town and Yvonne LaPlante of Milford; many nieces and nephews; special friends, Diane and Wally O’Brien, Susan and Bob Winchenbach, Charles Kigel; and the many other “boys on the air.” He was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Florence (LaPlante) Mikutajcis; a sister, Stella; and a brother, Frank. A memorial mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, 2005, at the Holy Family Parish Chapel in Old Town with the Rev. Rudolph Leveille Celebrant. Internment will be announced in the spring. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may send memorial contributions to the Rockland (or any) Lions Club or to a charity of ones choice. Arrangements in the care of Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St., Old Town. www.dignitymemorial.com
BRONISLAW ‘BEN’ R. MKIUTAJCIS
