BANGOR – Douglas G. Clendenning, 87, husband of Fern (Merrill) Clendenning, died July 4, 2007, at a Bangor health care center. He was born Oct. 19, 1919, in Bangor, the son of Matthew G. and Theresa E. (Susee) Clendenning. Douglas graduated from Bangor High School, attended Tampa University, and was a veteran of World War II, serving in the European Theater of operations, being discharged as a master sergeant. He re-enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve and was honorably discharged as chief warrant officer 3 after 22 years of service. He worked at Todd Bath Iron Shipbuilding Corp., South Portland, prior to his going into the service. After the war, he operated gasoline service stations, then worked for Clendenning Oil Inc., for several years as a director in the corporation. Douglas worked for the Maine Central Railroad for 28 years, 14 years as a machinist, and 14 years as an engine house supervisor. Doug was an avid harness horseman, as an owner, trainer and driver of harness horses for more than 30 years. He was instrumental in forming the Down East Harness Horseman Association and served as the president for many years, and most recently, he served as director. He was a member of the U.S. Trotting Association and the Maine Harness Horseman Association. He also had a deep interest in Bass Park and worked to make it a better place for harness racing and the agricultural fair, working with the city of Bangor. He was instrumental in the reconstruction of Bass Park in 1975. Doug was also interested in other city affairs. Surviving are his loving wife of 65 years, Fern; his daughters, Judith E. Clendenning and Lana T. Webb; three grandchildren, Lani K. Naihe, Scott D. Webb and Adam L. Webb; sisters-in-law, Miriam L. Froebel and her husband, Ralph, Betty A. Picard and her husband, James, and Barbara Kenney; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Shirley C. Wheeler and Thelma Clendenning; and by four brothers, Colby G., Donald G., Merril P. and Emerson M. Clendenning. Relatives and friends are invited to call 4-6 p.m. Thursday, July 5, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, where funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, July 6, with the Rev. Kathleen Macedo, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor. Donations in his memory may be made to the Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mount Hope Ave., Bangor, ME 04401 or Eastern Maine Medical Center Heart Fund, care of Eastern Maine Charities, P.O. Box 404, Bangor, ME 04401.
DOUGLAS G. CLENDENNING
