CORINTH and MILFORD – Linwood “Greg” Hildreth, 64, passed away April 1, 2006, at home Saturday, of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a rare degenerative brain disease which he fought for eight years. He was being cared for at home by his wife, Pauline, with help from family and friends. He is now free to walk, talk, dance, sing and do all those things that PSP slowly took from him. Greg was born Feb. 18, 1942, in Old Town, the only child of Linwood “Hillie” and Ruby (Harriman) Hildreth and grew up in the family’s Bradley Road home in Milford. Greg graduated from Old Town High School in the Class of 1960 and attended Husson College. He was an extremely healthy man who took good care of himself. He became a distance runner at 42 years old and competed in many races in Maine throughout the years. He qualified and ran the Boston Marathon twice, completing the 26.5-mile race in 1985 and 1986. In 1998 he retired after 26 years at James River/Fort James. Greg enjoyed his retirement as an antique dealer and owned 72 Main Antiques in Milford. He and wife Pauline met at Chesley’s Auction in Corinth in 1995. They married at the Sodermark farm in Corinth Saturday, June 15, 1996. For a number of years Greg and Pauline operated the antique shop and traveled to various antique shows in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Florida. Greg was a member of Olamon and Corinth Historical Societies and an avid military history buff. Greg is survived by his wife and soulmate, Pauline Sodermark of Corinth; son, Scott Hildreth and wife, Angel, of Milford; daughter, Renee and husband, Ronald Graves and their son, Griffin, of Bar Harbor; son, Charles “Joe” Hildreth of Tampa, Fla. Grandson Griffin was the light of his Grampa’s life and always showed love and compassion for his Grampa Greg in his illness; brother-in-law, James H. Sodermark and wife, Virginia, of Kenduskeag; and special friend, Carol Ann Walker. He was predeceased by his parents and a granddaughter Hunter Graves. Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Wednesday at the Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St., Old Town. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 2 p.m. Thursday at Holy Family Parish in Old Town, with the Rev. Rudolph Leveille, celebrant. All are invited to the Holy Family Parish Hall immediately following the service for a luncheon and continued fellowship. Internment will be held 2 p.m. June 15, at the Corinthian Cemetery in Corinth. Please visit www.mem.com to view Greg’s life story and to post a personal tribute. Those who wish may send donations in Greg’s memory to the Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Woodholme Medical Building, Suite 515, 1838 Greene Tree Rd., Baltimore, MD 21208.
LINWOOD ‘GREG’ HILDRETH
