FRED RAYMOND FEHRLE

DEER ISLE and BLUE HILL Fred Raymond Fehrle, 85, passed away peacefully Sept. 7, 2007, the son of George V. and Nina (Wine-garner) Fehrle. Fred was born Oct. 6, 1921, in Stella, Okla. He attended high school in McLoud, Okla. Fred joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and won six medals as a pilot during World War II. He was stationed in California, Hawaii and Midway Island, where he lived with his oldest daughter, LuAnne Fehrle. Fred retired from the Navy after 25 years of service. After his retirement from the Navy, Fred went to horseshoeing school and became a farrier. He began shoeing and training race horses, a job that enabled him to be outside and around horses, and to wear Levis, all of which he loved. Fred moved to Blue Hill in 1969 with his wife, Helen; and his two youngest daughters, Laurie and Julie Jo. His deep involvement in, and love for, his community continued to grow over the years. Fred held many jobs and was the busiest retired guy one could know; he was the parade marshal of the Blue Hill Memorial Day Parade for 19 years, he served on the board of trustees at George Stevens Academy and was treasurer, study hall monitor, coach and Boy Scout Leader. Fred could easily be talked into taking the stage for the local variety shows. He was very involved in Blue Hill Congregational Church, where he served as treasurer and deacon. He was a member of the Blue Hill Fair Association and was the Horse Race Secretary. He volunteered for the Blue Hill Fire Department and for Peninsula Ambulance Corps, where he received an award for going on 1000 runs. He worked at Union Trust Bank, and at Merrill and Hinkleys. Fred was a friendly bartender, hired for many social occasions and a friendly face at many funerals for Healys and later Jordan-Fernald Funeral Homes. There are, in fact, too many jobs to mention, but every job Fred had, no matter how big or small, he did it with diligence and pride, and always a smile. He was a lover of life and always saw the best in people. Fred received the award for Blue Hill Man of the Year, The Jefferson Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Maine Health Care Association. Fred suffered a serious accident in 1994, which left him a quadriplegic. The community that he loved so much pulled together and pooled their efforts to raise money to rebuild the family home so he could return and continue to have a full life. Fred was one of the founders of Island Nursing Home, where he was an active resident in recent years, along with his wife, Helen, who still resides there. There is no doubt that Fred will be greatly missed but his spirit will carry on in all of those he touched. His example should inspire and challenge us all to be good citizens. Fred was predeceased by his sister, Bernice Bridges of Stroud, Okla. He is survived by his wife, Helen (Bradbury) of Deer Isle; daughters, Julie Jo Fehrle of New York, Laurie Cole-man and her husband, Jerry Coleman, of Gouldsboro and LuAnne Fehrlev of Marysville, Wash., formerly of California; brothers, Philip D. Fehrle of Long Beach, Calif., and James G. Fehrle of Tulsa, Okla.; his beloved grandchildren, Natalie and Austin Coleman; many cherished nieces and nephews. A memorial service and celebration of Fred’s Life will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at First Congregational Church, Blue Hill. In Fred’s honor, please consider making donations to Hancock County Home Health, The First Congregational Church of Blue Hill, the Garden and Courtyard Fund at Island Nursing Home or the charity of your choice. In lieu of flowers, unless you pick ’em yourself, please give a helping hand to your neighbor or someone in need.