FORT FAIRFIELD and VAN BUREN – Paul W. Rider, 78, died Aug. 31, 2006, at a Caribou hospital. He was born Oct. 3, 1927, in Waldoboro, the youngest son of Harold and Lucy (Sprague) Rider. He attended Waldoboro schools and as a young man went to work in the shipyard, where he learned the trade of machinist. Later, after marrying, he became a crane operator doing many buildings, bridges, etcetera, throughout New England. One of those jobs brought him to Aroostook County. He loved the county so much that he purchased a farm in Fort Fairfield. He then became a mechanic for Houghton Farms, where he worked for 30 years. Throughout those years he was interested in many family activities. He served as president of the Fort Fairfield Fish and Game Club, the Fort Fairfield Snowmobile Club and the Pine and Spurs Riding Club. With his wife, Anne, he operated “Up-Country” Ski Shop and Trails. He made his own equipment for grooming trails and loved seeing people enjoying them. He is survived by the love of his life, Anne (Stanhope) Rider of Van Buren; three grown children, Susan Parent and her husband, Richard, of Van Buren, Alan Rider and his wife, Beth, of Alaska and Rock Hill, S.C. and Rick Rider and his wife, Shelley, of Winston-Salem, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Adam Rider of Mapleton, Timberly Sweeney of Massachusetts, Thomas Houghton of Portland, Jay Rider of Colorado, Megan Rider of South Carolina and Ellen and John Rider, both of North Carolina; four great-grandchildren, Kyle, Rebecca, Tory and Timmy, that he dearly loved; and a brother, John Rider of Waldoboro. He will be remembered by his neighbors for the great vegetables he grew in his garden. He requested that no funeral be held but his family would like to honor his memory with a get-together 2-4 p.m. Sunday, September 3, at the home of his daughter 117 Violette St., Van Buren. Condolences may be sent to arider@mfx.net or to 120 Center St., Van Buren, ME 04785. Arrangements are in the care of the Lancaster – Morgan Funeral Home, Caribou.
PAUL WILSON RIDER
