CUTLER – Neil Curtis Corbett, 91, died peacefully Jan. 27, 2008, at a Bangor hospital. He was born Nov. 23, 1916, in Roque Bluffs, the son of Willie W. and Velma (Johnson) Corbett. As the son of a lighthouse keeper, Neil grew up on several stations along the Maine coast, including nearly 20 years at Little River Lighthouse on the island at the entrance to Cutler Harbor. From there, he became a very involved and much respected member of the town of Cutler, which he loved so much. He will be remembered as a man of quiet confidence and constant commitment to all around him. Additionally, his love of family and friends, his sense of humor, his incredible memory and story-telling skills led him to entertain those who came in contact with him. He was an active and longtime member of Cutler Methodist Church. He held numerous town offices including serving several terms as a selectman. He was a 64-year member of the Masonic Lodge including serving as past master of Lookout Lodge, Cutler, and district deputy of the Third District. He was a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Machias Chapter, having been a past patron of Sebosis Chapter, Cutler. He was a 78-year member of the Grange, serving both in Cutler and Jacksonville. He served in World War II as an Army sergeant with active duty in the South Pacific. He was a 62-year member of the American Legion, Post 65. He and his wife, Allie, operated a wholesale-retail lobster business in Cutler for 36 years. In 2002, he was elected to the State of Maine Baseball Hall of Fame. The nomination was based on his many years as a player and coach of the Cutler Cardinal baseball team, in addition to serving Downeast baseball as an umpire and as commissioner of Quoddy League for 20 years. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Allie Johnson Corbett; a brother, Purcell Corbett and wife, Josephine, of Cutler; a son, Bill and his wife, Judy, of Midlothian, Va., and their daughters, Robyn Sowada and husband, Matt, of Newport News, Va., and Amy Crosman and husband, Justin, of Cutler; a daughter, Sue Corbett of Baileyville, and her children, Alison Socoby of Baileyville and Michael White of Bangor; a daughter, Joani Barber and her children, Katie and Jason, all of Richmond, Va.; and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by brothers, Myron and Lester; and sisters, Florence Armstrong, Ruth Farris, Emily Keaton and Kathleen Johnson. A worship service celebrating Neil’s life will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, at Cutler United Methodist Church. Immediately after the service, there will be time for fellowship and visitation with the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cutler United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 233, Cutler, ME 04626. For questions contact Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home, Machias. www.bragdonkelley.com
NEIL CURTIS CORBETT
