VENICE, Fla., and VEAZIE Ernest D. “Ernie” Golder, 77, passed away Feb. 15, 2008, after a long battle with cancer. Ernest was born Nov. 2, 1930, the son of the late Elmer D. and Gladys M. (Acton) Golder of Easton. Ernie graduated from Easton High School, Class of 1949. He loved sports and was a three-letter athlete excelling in basketball, baseball and track. He attended Aroostook Normal School for one year, before moving to Hampden Highlands to work and help his father and mother run a small dairy farm. Ernie was an avid sportsman playing semi-pro basketball and baseball for many leagues throughout Eastern Maine. A longtime member of the Bangor YMCA, he spent many years playing noontime basketball. In 1950, a good friend, Don Hanscom encouraged Ernie to apply for a circulation job at the Bangor Daily News. He worked in that department until 1955. During his time in circulation, Ernie implemented a monthly newsletter for the benefit of the boys and girls, who carried the paper called the Sunriser. In 1955, Ernie joined the advertising department. He attended the News Paper Advertising, a workshop in Princeton, N.J., along with many other seminars and conventions. Throughout the years, he received several awards for display advertising and new advertising ideas. In 1979, Ernie was promoted to assistant retail manager and in 1980 became the classified and special promotion manager, which he managed until his retirement in 1991, being part of the Bangor Daily News team for 40 years. Ernie was a member of Easton Methodist Church, Easton. Throughout the years, he was active in town affairs, past president of Hampden Jaycees, member of the Press Club, Hampden Masonic Lodge, coach and past president of Hampden Little League. In 1981, Ernie married Brenda Graves, the love of his life, best friend, soul mate and caregiver, whom he is survived by along with son, Scott McLaughlin and his wife, Tracy; and grandchildren, Andrew and Cameron McLaughlin of Orange Park, Fla. His children also survive him, Sterling Golder and his wife, Nancy, of Wilder, Vt., Ronald Golder of Nobleboro, Lori Golder of Farmersville, La., and Brian Golder of Dixmont; seven grandsons, one granddaughter, four great-grandchildren; his mother-in-law, Amber Rioux and husband, Alex; brothers-in-law, Dana Graves and wife, Dottie, Robert Graves and wife, Sharon, and Leslie Graves and wife, Donna; two sisters-in-law, Norma Jordan and husband, Herbert, and Judy Jewett and husband, Larry; a special niece, Sherry Ringuette and husband, Rick, of Coldchester, Conn.; a nephew, Jeff Jordan and wife, Tammy, of Bangor; a cousin, Carl Golder of Woodstock, New Brunswick; along with many dear friends. Visiting hours will be held 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at Hampden-Gilpatrick Funeral Home, 45 Western Ave., Hampden, where a funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday with longtime friend and Pastor Arthur Cotton officiating. Interment will be at Locust Grove Cemetery, Hampden, in the springtime. The family invites relatives and friends for a continued time of remembrance and refreshments after the service at Hampden VFW Hall, Canoe Club Road, Hampden. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations in Ernie’s memory be made to Tidewell Hospice and Palliative Care, 5959 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238 or the American Cancer Society, One Main St., Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086. Messages of condolence or memories may be shared through www.hampdengilpatrick.com.
ERNEST D. ‘ERNIE’ GOLDER
