BELFAST – George Howard “Papa” Read, 65, passed away April 21, 2008, after a sudden illness, at Waldo County General Hospital, Belfast. He was born Jan. 17, 1943, in Belfast, the son of Dr. Seth and Dorothy (Howard) Read. George graduated from Crosby High School in 1961. He attended Husson College and Southern Maine Vocational Technical School, graduating in 1965. George spent his entire career of 36 years in the paper industry. He began working for St. Regis Paper Co., Bucksport in 1966, later working for Madison Paper Industries, before returning to Champion International, Bucksport, where he retired in 2002. George actively enjoyed his retirement years. He especially enjoyed golf and was known by many at the various local golf clubs. George and Charlene enjoyed the past five winters in Florida, where George could be found at the Savannah Golf Club golfing with several good friends. Aside from golf, George enjoyed walks around the neighborhood, kayaking, the occasional sail with Ryan and special times with his family. His grandchildren adored him and he loved watching them play wiffle ball in the back yard. He was “Papa” to many of the neighborhood kids. His grandchildren kept his schedule busy with their numerous sporting and school events, he hated to miss a game! If George wasn’t golfing or busy with his grandchildren, he was most likely on his computer. In 1965 he married his high school sweetheart, Charlene (Hahn), who survives him. He was predeceased in 2001, by a daughter, Julie Read Marsh; and in 1967, by an infant son, Robert George Read. In addition to his wife of 42 years, he is survived by two daughters, Carolyn and husband, Brian “Rusty” Smith, of Belfast and Susan and husband, Joe Woods, of Belfast; a son, Ryan Read and fiance, Katherine Albert, of South Portland; son-in-law, Conrad Marsh of Dover-Foxcroft; one brother, Dean S. Read of Bar Harbor; nine grandchildren, Mark, Heather, Andrew, Matthew and Julianne Smith; Nolan, Emily and Sarah Woods, all of Belfast and Jacob Marsh of Dover-Foxcroft; and three nieces and one nephew. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, April 25, at Crabiel-Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave., Belfast. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations in George’s memory to Waldo County YMCA, 157 Lincolnville Ave., Belfast, ME 04915, American Cancer Society, or Relay for Life, care of Damariscotta Bank & Trust, P.O. Box 822, Belfast, ME 04915.