HOLDEN – Pearl Albert Buchanan, 87, passed away Jan. 14, 2006, at a Brewer health-care facility surrounded by his family. He was born Sept. 14, 1918, in Brewer, the son of the late Pearl and Carolyn (Moody) Buchanan. Pearley grew up in Brewer and was a graduate of Brewer High School, Class of 1936. He was an outstanding athlete when he was young and recalled one of his fondest memories being when the Brewer Easterns (Eastern Fine Paper) fast pitch softball team became Maine State Champions in 1938 and later qualified and participated in the National Tournament in Chicago. Pearley was a veteran of World War II serving in the European Theater of Operations in the Rhineland, Central Europe and Ardennes where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge, with Company “A”, 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion, 7th Armored Division and was one of only 14 soldiers in his unit to survive. After the Battle of the Bulge he fought with the 2nd Armored and the 76th Infantry Divisions until the end of the war attaining the rank of staff sergeant. Pearley was employed by Eastern Fine Paper both before and after the war working for 40 years in many different positions at the mill where he made many friends both young and old. He was also a member of Ralph J. Pollard Lodge No. 217 AF & AM, Orrington, for 53 years and the Isaac E. Clewey VFW Post No 4917. He enjoyed harness racing and after his retirement especially enjoyed yard sales. Pearley was predeceased by his first wife, Katherine M. (Freeman) Buchanan; and his uncle, Malcolm “Mackie” Buchanan who he grew up with and always thought of him as his brother. Pearley is survived by his wife of 47 years, Eleanor J. (Tardiff) Buchanan of Holden; children, Allan M. of Veazie, Colleen M. Clough and her husband, Ronald, of Scarborough, Marilyn J. Gass and her husband, Dale, of Bangor, Andrew P. and his wife, Jane, of Enfield; a very special stepson, Bruce E. Blanchard and his wife, Linda, of Holden; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The family would like to send a sincere thanks to all of the staff at Brewer Rehab & Living Center for the loving care that they provided. Friends may visit 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, at Kiley Funeral Home, 69 State St., Brewer. A funeral service will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday at the conclusion of the visitation and burial with military honors will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Brewer in the spring.
PEARL A. ‘PEARLEY’ BUCHANAN
