BREWER – Paul “Ken” Smith, 79, died Jan. 16, 2007, at Hospice House Woodside, Pinellas Park, Fla., after a long illness. Ken was born Sept. 20, 1927, in Brewer, the son of Augustus P. and Kathleen (Lonsdale) Smith. As a child, Ken lived in Hampden. When his family moved to California, Ken entered the printing trade as an apprentice printer at the Vallejo Morning and Evening Sentinel. After World War II, he returned to Maine and worked as linotype operator at the former Bangor Daily Commercial. On his 20th birthday in 1947, he married Margaret Kane of Brewer and made their home in Hampden, where he started his own business, a typesetting service, in the garage. In 1956, he purchased L. H. Thompson Printing, Inc., Brewer, which he operated for 38 years along with his wife; son, Tom; and daughters, Dawn and Paula. He was very involved in the harness racing industry throughout the years, at one time printing harness race programs for every track in New England. Before retiring, he expanded the business into the thoroughbred and dog racing industries, printing programs for Suffolk Downs, Massachusetts and the Seabrook Dog Track, New Hampshire. Ken was a member of the Mystic Lodge No. 65 AF & AM of Hampden, Scottish Rite Bodies Valley of Bangor, Maine Consistory 32 Degree and Anah Shriners of Bangor. He was a member of the director’s staff of Anah Shriners and served as secretary to the potentate and divan. He was active in civic affairs, serving on the Board of Selectmen of the town of Hampden, during which time he was involved in changing the form of government from selectmen-manager to council-manager. He also belonged to the Hampden Kiwanis, Toastmaster International and St. Mary’s Holy Name Society. Learning to fly at age 40, Ken purchased and restored his own float plane, enjoying many hours flying the skies over Green Lake with friends and family. After retiring, Ken and Margaret moved to Port Charlotte, Fla. Unable to remain idle for long, he signed on as a part-time bus driver for the Charlotte County Dial-a-Ride system and volunteered with the Charlotte County Civil Air Patrol. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his two sisters, Althea Autry and Eleanor O’Hearon. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Margaret Kane Smith; eight children, Dawn MacDonald of Hampden, Thomas Smith and his wife, Brenda, of Holden and their children, Michelle, Thomas Jr. and Matthew, Peggy Craig and her husband, Dean, of Fort Myers, Fla., and their children, Justin and Casey, Paula Williams of Bangor and her daughter, Shawnna, Veronica White and her husband, Terry, of Stetson and their sons, Jeremy and Jeffrey, Gregory Smith and his wife, Rae Anne, of Hampden and their daughter, Annie, Kathy Novosad and her husband, Tim, of Sugarland, Texas, and their children, Shelby, Kelsey and Vonnie, and Denise Jones and her husband, Roger, of Seminole, Fla., and their children, Marnie and Greg. He is also survived by nine great-grandchildren, Joseph, Thomas, Jonathan, Nathan, Brady, McKenzie, C.J., Kevin and Ray. A dog lover all his life, he was predeceased by his four dogs, Poochie, Abby, Bridgette and Katie. Funeral services for Paul “Ken” Smith will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, at Brookings-Smith, Clark-Piper Chapel, 55 South Main St., Brewer, with the Rev. Roland Nadeau officiating. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, where a Masonic service will be conducted 7:30 p.m. by the officers and members of Mystic Lodge No. 65, Hampden. Interment will be immediately after at Mount Pleasant Catholic Cemetery. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the Sea Dog Conference and Banquet Center, 26 Front St., Bangor, after the interment. Gifts in Ken’s memory may be sent to Multiple Sclerosis Society of Maine, 735 Main Road North, Hampden, ME 04444. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com
PAUL ‘KEN’ SMITH
