MALCOLM ‘BUSTER CALDER/ UNKIE’ NEWCOMB BUSTER

ROCKWOOD – Malcolm “Buster Calder/Unkie” Newcomb Buster, passed on-to a better place Wednesday, March 19, 2004, with his sister, Rachel and niece, Laura at his side. He was well known and loved throughout the community. Buster was born Nov. 10, 1918. He lived in Rockwood at his family homestead, “The Calder Farm,” until joining the service to fight for his country in World War II. He worked in the Army deactivating land mines, and repairing bridges and rubber boats in Belgium and France. After completing his service he returned home to The Calder Farm, where he cared for the farm and his parents, worked logging with horses, and later drove truck for Scott Paper and other local construction operators. He also labored on “The Kate,” drove Boom Logs down Moosehead Lake, was a registered Maine Guide out of the Kineo House and other places, ran the mail from Greenville to Seeboomok for many years, and carried out the newspaper delivery in Rockwood. After his retirement in 1985, Buster could be seen walking his nieces and nephews to the bus stop every morning and back home again every afternoon. Buster was happy to live next door to these children, as he never married or had children of his own. He spent many, many meals, moments, and memories with these children, their parents, and other family members, telling stories, teaching reading, writing, and counting, and loving them all very much. After a short stint in Greenville, Buster returned to his family and his roots in Rockwood, where he lived next door to the same nieces and nephews as before. Here he enjoyed the company of family and friends alike as he settled into a quiet time and enjoyed the beautiful scenery surrounding him. Buster, an active and ever-present member of the community, could generally be found at Moose River Store in Rockwood, where he ate breakfast and lunch everyday for more years than anyone can remember and was honored with a permanent seat. During the summers he enjoyed watching horse pulling contests, attending the annual bean hole dinner in Patton, and visiting with friends during cookouts at the residence of Maggie and Brad Scott. Buster enjoyed history, and as a part of Old Rockwood, he was the expert to which everyone turned for stories, lore, and even rumor. Buster was an exceptionally kind and gentle man, loved by all family and community members who ever encountered him. Though more like a grandfather to most, Buster was known as “Unk” or “Unkie” to members of his family. He will be much missed and fondly remembered by sisters, Rachel Chase of Greenville, and Margaret Davis of Newington, Conn.; as well as nieces, Laura Calder Munster Douglass and husband, Alan, Mary Bryant, Raelene Parlin and husband, Raymond, Betty Simpson, and Tammy Grenier; nephew, Malbert Chase; great-nieces and great-nephews, Misti, Jodi, Michael Jr., and Jason Munster, Laurie Bryant Soule, Craig Bryant, April McCaslin, Amanda, Andrew, and Joel Parlin, great-great-nephews, Damien and Devon; special friend, Geraldine Douglass of Florida; devoted caregivers, Stephanie Ashley and Jan Tomer; and all other family, friends and community members who ever knew him. Special thanks to Tunney King Sr., and Maria Avery for all the kind care and extra things they ever did for Unk. Buster was predeceased by his mother, Laura Maude Ellingwood Calder; stepfather, Hubert Herman Calder; sisters, Georgiana and Glennis; brothers, Ralph, John, and Clarence Calder, as well as special brother-in-law, Arnold Davis Sr., husband of Margaret; and special nephew-in-law, Michael Nelson Munster Sr., husband of Laura. Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Sunday, May 30, 2004, at The Rockwood Community Center in Rockwood. Friends, family, and community are strongly encouraged to attend and speak at the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Make A Wish Foundation, 87 Elm St., Suite 203, Camden, ME 04843, for Buster loved all children and thought each one deserved the world. From Laura to Unk, Thank you for always being my “rock of Gibraltar,” and always being there for my kids. You were and are the best. We will all miss you so much. You were one of a kind, truly unmatchable. You will be in many hearts forever.