PERRY POINT, Md., and LINCOLNVILLE – Nathan Colby Collemer, 67, died April 19, 2004, at the Perry Point Veterans Administration Medical Center in Maryland. Nate was born Dec. 21, 1936, in Camden, the seventh child of Aubrey and Elsie (Heald) Collemer. He spent his childhood on the family farm in Lincolnville, and was educated at local schools. He earned a degree from Beal Business School in Bangor. After a tour of duty with the U.S. Army in Germany, he was employed by the Tannery in Camden. During this time, he married Phyllis Hall of Camden. They were later divorced. He then moved to Washington, D.C., where he resided and worked at the U.S. Soldiers and Airmen’s Home for nearly 25 years. As a young man, Nathan dealt courageously with physical challenges from a car accident. Later in life, he had complications of heart and lung disease as a result of tobacco use. He survived on life support since 2001. He was a voracious reader, particularly interested in agriculture, trains and alternative medicine. Some of his favorite authors were Zane Gray, Max Brand and Louis L’Amour. He was an outstanding cribbage player. We believe he is enjoying the next leg of his journey with those who have passed before him and is giving some stellar competition to cribbage players on the other side! He also took great pleasure in following the stock market. Nate cultivated a wide circle of friends and was a member of the Masons, King David’s Lodge No. 62 in Lincolnville. He is survived by a son, Michael Collemer and wife, Darlene, of Carlsbad, N.M., and a daughter, Deborah (Collemer) Lovely of Portland; sisters include, Elinor Johnson and husband, Edgar, of Camden, Catherine DeSimone of Lincolnville, Marilyn Boyce and husband, Reynold, of Essex Junction, Vt.; a sister-in-law, Ann Collemer of Bridgeport, Pa. Surviving brothers are Ramon and wife, Margaret, and Reginald Collemer of Lincolnville; two step-grandchildren, Kelly and Chad; and many cousins, nieces and nephews also survive him. He was predeceased by his parents; brothers, Laurence and Norman Collemer; and brother-in-law, Frank DeSimone. The family is deeply appreciative of the nurses, doctors and other staff of the USSAH and Perry Point, Va., Medical Center for their remarkable care and sensitivity over the years. A gathering for family and friends to celebrate and remember Nate’s life will start at noon on June 6, at the Tranquility Grange, Route 52 in Lincolnville, ME. At 1:30 p.m. a memorial ceremony will be held at the Forsman Grounds, located at 284 US Route 173 in Searsmont, for those who wish an opportunity to say farewells, listen to and speak their memories. His cremated remains will be scattered privately by family. Memorial gifts may be sent to the Veteran’s organization of your choice, or to the Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids, Suite 1200, 1400 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20005.
NATHAN COLBY COLLEMER
