BANGOR – Eugene F. Kelsey, 82, died Dec. 7, 2003, after a brief illness at the Maine Veterans Home with a loving daughter by his side. He was born Nov. 12, 1921 in Bangor to Arthur M. and Lillian R. (Quimby) Kelsey and was a lifelong resident of Bangor. He recently celebrated his 82nd birthday and enjoyed Thanksgiving surrounded by his wife and all of his children. As a World War II veteran, he served in India-Burma, China and Central Burma. He was a member of Merrill’s Marauders and was wounded in action in Northern Burma, for which he received the Purple Heart and Presidential Citation. He worked for the First National Stores in Bangor and the surrounding area for 40 years, retiring in 1983 when the business closed. Eugene loved spending time with his family and puttering in his yard. He was an avid golfer, making a hole-in-one during his golfing career. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Harriman) Kelsey; one son, Carl and wife, Tracy, of Riverside, Calif.; seven daughters, Karen Dunn of Corinth, Marie Kelsey of Bangor, Sylvia Oxley and husband, Stevie of Hermon, Beverly Dionne and husband, Tim, of Bangor, Paula Burkholder and husband, Tim, of Orlando, Fla., Carol Henderson and fianc‚, Ed Buldoc, of South Portland and Tracy Ronan and husband, John, of Glenburn; 17 grandchildren, Erik Dunn and wife, Jen, of Eatontown, N.J., Tina, Steven and Joey Oxley and friend, Amy Luce, of Hermon, Kori and Nichole Dionne of Bangor, Joshua, Justin, Jarred, Jeremy and Emiley Kelsey of California; Sean Rash and Kelcie Burkholder of Florida, Christina and Alfred Hunnewell of Oklahoma and Katelynn and Taylor Ronan of Glenburn; one great-grandson, Destry Osley-Stahl of Hermon and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and 12 siblings. Eugene’s family would like to thank the nursing staff of the Maine Veterans Home for the care he received during his brief stay with them. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with the Rev. Thomas Lequin, celebrant. A reception will immediately follow in the parish hall. Interment will be in Mount Pleasant Catholic Cemetery. Contributions in Eugene’s memory may be made to the Maine Veterans Home, Activity Fund, 44 Hogan Road, Bangor, ME 04401. A service of Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor.
EUGENE F. KELSEY
