EMMETT R. STEVENS

STILLWATER – Emmett R. Stevens, 88, passed away March 21, 2008, at a Bangor health care facility. He was born Dec. 21, 1919, in Old Town, the son of Ray and Lulu (Mishou) Stevens. He attended school in Portland, Old Town and Lee, and graduated from Lee Academy in 1938. In 1939 he joined the CCC, Civilian Conservation Corps, Pierce Bridge, N.H. The Corps members helped to clean up the damage done by the hurricane of 1938. In 1941 he married Alvena Mary Wickett and worked on the construction of Dow Air Force Base, Bangor, and later became a civil service clerk-typist at Dow. Emmett was a World War II Navy veteran, 1942-46. He first served some of his enlisted time at the U.S. Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, R.I., and later served aboard the USS Titania (AKA13) in the South Pacific theater. Upon returning to civilian life, he attended and graduated from Husson College, Bangor and the University of Maine in Orono. He was a high school teacher and coach for 32 years, nine years at Lee Academy, 1949-1958 and for 23 years at Schenck High School, East Millinocket, 1958-1981. He was awarded the honor of Teacher of the Year and Coach of the Year for the state of Maine. During his years of teaching, he influenced his students and many of them continued to visit him during his time at the Maine Veterans’ Home. It was rare to go anywhere with Emmett without running into an old friend. Emmett was an avid hunter and fisherman in his younger days, and enjoyed playing golf after his retirement. A good day was finding more balls than he lost. After the death of Alvena in 1980, he married Francine Gordon and they enjoyed several years of golfing and winters in Florida. Some of Emmett’s fondest memories were of spending time with friends and family at camp at Pleasant Lake. He loved to tell jokes, good and bad, and was a relentless story teller. He will be deeply missed by his son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Vicki Stevens of Starks; a daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Alan Millar of Sandpoint, Idaho; four grandchildren, Guy Stevens and his wife, Paula, Jill Jordan and her husband, Brian, Emma and Riley Millar; three great-grandchildren, Marley, Cameron and Reed. Other survivors are Zelma and Ed Legere of Dewey, Ariz., Dawn and Ron LaPlante of Anchorage, Alaska; a stepson, Reginald Gordon of Carrabasset Valley; four step- grandchildren, Dawn Libby, Melanie True, Ashely and Kimberley Gordon; and three great-stepgrandchildren, Riley, Sophia and Emma; along with several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; his first wife, Alvena (Wickett) Stevens; his second wife, Francine (Gordon) Stevens; a sister, Phyllis Wiley; and two brothers, Frank and Ray Stevens. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, at Stillwater Federated Church with the Rev. Randy Chretien officiating. All will be welcomed to share memories and fellowship after the service. At the family’s request, for those who wish, gifts may be given in his memory to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 346, Augusta, ME 04332 or American Cancer Society, 52 Federal St., Brunswick, ME 04011 or Stillwater Federated Church, Stillwater, ME 04489. Services entrusted to the care of Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St., Old Town.