BELFAST – Orman H. Whitcomb, 83, died Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2006, at the Veterans’ Administration Medical Center, Togus. Born June 23, 1923, in Belfast, he was the son of Cornelius J. and Clara (Ingraham) Whitcomb. He was a 1941 graduate of Crosby High School and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine – Gorham. He attended Lowell Institute, Lynn, Mass., which was affiliated with General Electric. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army receiving his training at Camp Edwards, Mass.; Camp Gordon Johnston, Fla. and San Francisco. He went overseas in April 1944 as a sergeant and served three years in the amphibious command as a coxswain of landing craft. Twenty-one months of his service in the South Pacific took him to Australia, the Philippines and Japan. He was awarded the Good Conduct Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with two bronze stars; the American Theatre and Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze star and the Victory Ribbon. He received his honorable discharge from the Army Jan. 24, 1946. On April 4, 1946, he married Marion E. Greeley in Belfast. Mr. Whitcomb managed the Whitcomb Cafe and later owned and operated Dinsmore Shoe Store until 1976. For 20 years, Mr. Whitcomb worked as an industrial arts teacher at Belfast Area High School. He was a member of the First Church, Belfast and the American VFW Post No. 6131, Northport. Orman had been a very active member of the Belfast Masonic Lodge No. 24 for many years where he served as master of the former Phoenix Lodge No. 24 in 1946; worshipful master in 1952; exalted high priest in Royal Arch No. 7 in 1961; King Solomon’s Council in 1964; and was knighted in the Palestine Commandery No. 14 in 1964 and was eminent commander; he was initiated into the order of the Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine, Eucibus Conclave No. 2 in Augusta and honored as the most puissant sovereign. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of the Valley of Rockland and of the Maine Consistory 32nd degree. Other Masonic affiliations included a member of the Past Officer’s Association of Maine where he served as secretary and was a member and past patron of the Primrose Chapter O.E.S. No. 152 of Belfast and served on the advisory board of the Belfast Assembly No. 4 of the International Order of Rainbows for girls. Surviving is his wife of 60 years, Marion G. Whitcomb of Belfast; two sons, Neil Whitcomb and his wife, Ellen, of Fairfield, Orman E. Whitcomb and his friend, Delores Crocker, of Sidney; one daughter, Barbara K. Carney of Hampden; his American Field Service daughter, Nilda Collins and her husband, Steve, of Brownsville, Md.; grandchildren, Jennifer Russo and her husband, John, of West Greenwich, R.I., Stephanie L. Whitcomb and fiance, Ken Mason, of Waterville, Sarah Jane King and her husband, Brian, of Belmont, Jonathan Whitcomb and his wife, Mindy, of Sidney, William D. Carney of Hampden and Ryan P. Whitcomb of Sidney; great-grandchildren, Katherine King, Christopher King, Cordelia Russo, John Russo, Abigail Whitcomb, Grady Mason, Christina Collins and Patrick Collins; two nephews, Douglas Greeley and Edwin Greeley; many cousins, and a special friend, Theresa Whitcomb of Oakland. He was predeceased by a sister, Agnes Tardiff; and a son-in-law, Donald Carney. Family and friends may visit with the family 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at the First Church, UCC, 8 Court St., Belfast. The funeral will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at the church with the Rev. Joel Krueger and the Rev. David E. Wigley co-officiating with a Masonic service after. Burial will be held after the service at Grove Cemetery. Those who would like to remember Orman in a special way may contribute to the Waldo County Hospital, P.O. Box 287, Belfast, ME 04915; Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Togus VA Medical Center, Volunteer Service 135, 1 VA Center, Augusta, ME 04330; or to the First Church Perpetual Maintenance Fund, 8 Court St., Belfast, ME 04915. Arrangements by Laite Funeral Home, 9 Mountain St., Camden.
ORMAN H. WHITCOMB
