LARRY GUSHEE

UNION – Larry Gushee, 67, died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005, at Penobscot Bay Medical Center, Rockport, after a battle with cancer. He was born May 18, 1937, in North Appleton, he was a son of Floyd K. and Elizabeth Meservey Gushee. Educated in local schools, he was a 1955 graduate of Appleton High School. On June 30, 1956, he married Valerie J. Burke at Oakes Mansion in Appleton. They have lived in their present home more than 40 years. In the early years of his career, Larry worked 10 years at Camden Tannery. He began a Poultry business at his farm which he operated for over 20 years. During that same period, he began working as a carpenter, first with Brud Wentworth and later including Jody Wentworth in that endeavor. Ultimately, Larry and Jody joined together in the business of J & L Construction. For more than 20 years they worked together as a team, gaining a reputation not only for their honesty, but also their quality of craftsmanship. One of the more recent projects they completed was construction of the new Union Masonic Lodge. Larry retired from J & L Construction on his 66th birthday. He was a devoted family man, who loved his family and was actively involved in their lives. Larry and Valerie bought property at Coplin Plantation, near Sugarloaf, where with the help of their family and friends, they built a camp that became a family gathering place. After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, he continued working on that home. Hunting was a big part of his life, this past Thanksgiving he shot one of the largest bucks of his hunting experience. Not only did he enjoy hunting, but he also enjoyed exploring the outdoors with his family and was excited whenever he discovered some new relic. His family described their father as an avid, fearless, sometimes airborne skier. With his family, he took ski trips to Austria, Colorado, Canada, Lake Tahoe, and Oregon. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, mountain biking, kayaking, golfing, boating and spending time at their cottage on Sennebec Lake. He loved his Old English Sheep Dog, Penelope. In past years Larry and Valerie enjoyed hosting exchange students in their home, John Bredahl of Denmark, Ander Larsson, Christina Strombach and Karin Larsson all of Sweden. Larry did not want to call attention to himself or to make others uncomfortable and attempted to keep life as normal as possible during his illness. He hiked with children and grandchildren after Christmas, went ice skating on Sennebec lake in mid January, and rode his ATV in his woods in early February. Larry and Valerie and their entire family gathered this past Christmas for a special celebration. They also all gathered this last summer at their cottage. Larry was a past master and 40 year member of Union Lodge of Masons No. 31 and a member of Mid-Coast Shrine Club. He often volunteered on community projects. Larry is survived by his wife, Valerie; his mother, Elizabeth Meservey Gushee both of Appleton; his daughters, Kristi Gushee Pilgrim and her husband, James Pilgrim, of Vancouver, Wash., Kathi L. Harris and her husband, Collin Harris, of Incline Village, Nev.; his son, Kendall L. Gushee and his wife, Lynne Gushee; one brother, Jenness R. Gushee Sr. and his wife, Goldie all of Appleton; one sister, Sarah Prudence of St. Croix, U.S.V.I.; 10 grandchildren, Michelle, Melissa and Christopher Abbotoni, Erika Johnson, Nick, Andrew and Amy Harris, Gregory Davis, Megan and James Gushee; one great-grandson, Zachary Winpenny; his mother-in-law, Helen L. Burke of Appleton Ridge; his brother-in-law, Donald Burke of Appleton; three sisters-in-law, Allison and John Boyington of Appleton, Sandra Rutiser of Maryland, Betsey Burke of Hulls Cove as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Visiting hours will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 4, 2005, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland. A celebration of Larry’s life will be held 2 p.m. Saturday at Peoples United Methodist Church, Depot Street, Union. The Rev. Michelle Grube will officiate. Brothers of the Union Lodge of Masons No. 31, will conclude with a Masonic service. Interment will be at a later date in Pine Grove Cemetery, Appleton. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Gushee Scholarship Fund, care of Judy Gushee, 12611 Pentenville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20904.