BANGOR and MELBOURNE, Fla. – Carleton Ranks passed away Aug. 6, 2007, in Melbourne, Fla. He was born Nov. 28, 1921, in Millinocket, the son of Willard and Minnie (Orr) Ranks. Carleton graduated from Bangor in 1939. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and served his country proudly. After a long and productive career with several major road construction companies, he retired from his last position as vice president in charge of major highway contracts. Over the span of his career, he oversaw the construction of highways in New England and the Mid-Atlantic states, in job capacities ranging from supervisor to project manager. In 1955 he oversaw the construction of an 11-mile stretch of the Maine Turnpike, I-95, outside of Lewiston. He was just 33 years old at the time and supervised 250 men. Carleton married Cordelia Arey in 1959 and they had a son, Michael J. Ranks. Carleton and Connie retired to Florida, and sometime later Michael and his wife, Sheila, moved to Florida. Carleton was predeceased by his wife in 1996 and later married Nancy L. Loose of Boca Raton, Fla. Carleton was predeceased by his parents; his sisters, Lydia Sands and Jane Kenny; and his one brother, Wellington “Sonny” Ranks. He is survived by his sister, Jacqueline MacDermott, several nieces, nephews and cousins. A U.S. Army Honor Guard was present at his private interment to play taps and present the colors. Donations may be made to First Church of Christ Scientist, Bangor, which he loved very much.
CARLETON RANKS
