JEROME C. MOTT

BUCKSPORT – Jerome C. Mott died peacefully May 16, 2007, at the home of his daughter in Fort Pierce, Fla., after a brief illness. Jerome was born April 27, 1917, in Lincoln, to Carl T. Mott and Dora Bartlett Fowles. Jerome began his long career as a merchant by selling groceries, and was working in the grocery business in Millinocket when he met and married Leona Moore. Together Jerome and Leona moved in 1944 to Hartford, Conn., where both found work in the Pratt and Whitney aircraft plant. A veteran of World War II, Jerome served in the U.S. Army from July 1945 to August 1946. After basic training in Florida, Jerome was sent to Gorizia, Italy, with the 339th Field Artillery Battalion of the 88th Blue Devils Division. He returned to the U.S. aboard the Victory Ship Lehigh, which was serenaded dockside by the Andrews Sisters upon arrival in New York. From 1946 to 1952, Jerome owned and operated Kenmore Market, Boston. In 1952, he brought his family to Bucksport, where he eventually took over ownership of Bucksport Hardware from his stepfather, Dick Fowles. Jerome remained appreciative of what he had learned from Dick and later in life often recalled their long conversations about business matters. Jerome was in the hardware business for 35 years. Upon selling the store, he took up locksmithing, and worked as a master locksmith until the fall of 2006. Quick to smile, quick to come to the aid of family and friends, Jerome will be remembered as a man of enthusiasm, optimism and unshakeable faith. He enjoyed square dancing with the Calico Squares Dancers and served as the club’s president. He learned to swim and snow ski at age 55. More than anything else, he was dedicated to family, with whom he spent many hours throughout the years boating and skiing on Toddy Pond. He was well known for his persistence in helping beginners get up on skis. Jerome had long looked forward to traveling cross-country with son, Dave and “daughter,” Ellie, which he was able to do this winter; they traveled to California, then by way of Texas to Florida, where family and friends gathered from all around the country to be with Jerome while he celebrated his 90th birthday in April. Jerome is survived by half brother, Harry Fowles and his wife, Pat, of Battle Creek, Mich.; half brother, Dick Fowles and his wife, Beverly, of Palm Bay, Fla.; sister, Anne Wyman and her husband, Vern, of Dade City, Fla.; sister-in-law, Bernice Mott of Millinocket; brother-in-law, Gene Bullock of Kalaheo, Hawaii; sister-in-law, Marjorie Moore of Millinocket; daughters, Jalaine Beale of Fort Pierce, Fla., Carrie Bragdon and her husband, Les, of Orland, Debbie DeLoof and her husband, Christian, of Oceanside, Calif.; son, Dave Mott and his wife, Ellen, of Bucksport; grandchildren, Kimberly Rioseco and her husband, Julian, of Vero Beach, Fla., Rick Doyle and his wife, Shannon Flood, of Bucksport, Kevin Doyle of Bangor and his companion, Marsha Causton, of Ellsworth, Racquel Bragdon of Dubai, Yvette Bragdon of Los Angeles, Nick Mott and his wife, Jennifer, of Buxton, Shaun Mott and his fianc?e, Jessie Hamilton, of Bucksport, Kim Beale of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Rick Wasylchak and his wife, Donna, of Glenham, N.Y. Jerome is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews. Jerome was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, his parents; sister, Josephine Trozzi and her husband, Fred; brother, Donald Mott and his wife, Evelyn; sister, Marie Fowles; brother, Reginald Mott; sister, Evelyn Bullock; brother-in-law, Harold Moore and his wife, Ivy; brother-in-law, Ralph Moore; sister-in-law, Anne Eaton and her husband, Ken; sister-in-law, Evelyn Moore; an infant daughter; son-in-law, Dick Beale; and grandsons, Gary Gifford and Scott Gifford. Visiting hours will be 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 8, at Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home, Bucksport, where a celebration of Jerome’s life will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, June 9, with Deacon Mike Trumble, of Evangelical Baptist Church, officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bucksport Community Concerns Food Pantry, P.O. Box 603, Bucksport, ME 04416 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.