ADDISON – Mathys J. Van Dam, 78, died Thursday, March 15, 2007, at a Bangor health care facility after a sudden illness. He was born Feb. 7, 1929, in Boston, the son of the late Aire and Blanche (Merchant) Van Dam. Mr. Van Dam was a graduate of Boston Latin and attended Northeastern University. After his schooling he began work for Johnson and Pomer, Boston, working as a sheet metal worker, retiring in 1984. After retirement, he moved to Palmyra, where he served as the code enforcement officer in Pittsfield and as the recycling coordinator, also in Pittsfield. He served on the town council as a selectman in Palmyra for six years. He was a former director of the Maine Municipal Recycling Association. In 2001, he moved to Addison, where he was a director of the Pleasant River Solid Waste Disposal District, representing the town of Addison. Mr. Van Dam had a love of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, the sea, golf, sailing and morning walks on the beach at Roque Bluffs and White Head Island, New Brunswick. He shared 57 years of marriage with Pauline (Dextraze) Van Dam. In addition to his wife, family members include his children, Paula Chartrand and husband, Paul, of Addison, Edgar Van Dam and wife, Constance, of Columbia Falls and Brian Van Dam Sr. and wife, Jane, of Scarborough; seven grandchildren, Christopher Chartrand and wife, Ruth, of Addison, Andrew Chartrand and wife, Tina, of Benton, Heather Van Dam and husband, Seth, of Portland, Emily Van Dam and Anna Van Dam, both of Columbia Falls, Brian Van Dam Jr. and Jenna Van Dam, both of Scarborough; three great-grandchildren of the beloved Meepa, Elizabeth Chartrand and twins, Kaitlyn and Nicole Chartrand, many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a great-grandson, Zachary Chartrand; a brother, Alfred Van Dam; and a sister, Margaret Van Dam Pomer. A memorial service will be celebrated 2 p.m. Friday, March 23, at Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home, 47 Main St., Milbridge. A time of fellowship and sharing will be after the service at the funeral home. Private graveside services will be held at Jacksonville Cemetery, East Machias, at a later date. Arrangements are by Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home, Milbridge. For more information, please visit our website at www.bragdonkelley.com
MATHYS J. VAN DAM
