RICHARD RAY STORER

DAMARISCOTTA – Richard Ray Storer, 78, passed away peacefully Sun-day, April 22, 2007, with his family by his side at Miles Memorial Hospital, Damariscotta. Richard was born Oct. 30, 1928, in Boothbay Harbor, the son of Joseph and Ernestine Woodward Storer. Although Richard suffered from emphysema for 40 years, he never let it get him down. He lived life fully, in spite of the disease and never gave up. Even while dying he chose the terms in which he would die. He was the strongest man anyone could ever know. Richard grew up in Brunswick and Boothbay Harbor. He attended Boothbay Harbor schools until the age of 17, when he joined the U.S. Navy from April 1946 to March 1948. He received his G.E.D. once he returned home and then went to the Massachusetts Industrial Technical School and received his refrigeration license. He worked in Massachusetts and New York. In November 1950, he joined the U.S. Army and served until December 1953. He was stationed in Japan and Korea and served with the 24th Infantry Division as a mortarman and in combat infantry. He was an instructor of arms at West Point and turned down permanent employment at West Point as an instructor to return home to be with his loving wife. After returning from Korea, Richard received his degree as a tree arborist and worked for Bartlett Tree in both Syracuse and Rochester, N.Y. He returned to Maine and worked for Lane Construction before opening his own business, Richard R. Storer and Sons, Inc., in 1955. Richard began building small buildings, his first being the Damariscotta Post Office, before moving on to be a commercial builder who built many schools and large structures. His last contract, before retiring, was the Maine Center for the Arts at the University of Maine at Orono. Since retirement, Richard had spent his time working on his property, looking after grandchildren and most of all, being a great husband, father and grandfather to his family. He could be found at Waltz Pharmacy every morning having his coffee and giving his conservative Republican views on about everything. Coffee time will never be the same. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him and even those he sparred with over his conservative Republican views. Richard will be remembered as being one of Santa’s best helpers, a job he loved from 1960 to 1980. He had a love for motorcycles and at the age of 15 traveled from Boothbay Harbor to California on a 1946 Harley. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, playing with his grandchildren and operating his equipment. Richard was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. He was also a member of the North American Hunters, Ducks Unlimited, National Republican Committee, Maine Sportsman Alliance, Alna Masonic Lodge No. 43 AF & AM, Damariscotta, Wells Hussey American Legion Post, VFW and the Kora Temple Shrine. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Elta M. Storer; his son, Robert R. Storer; and his mother, Ernestine Hamilton. He is survived by his sons, Richard Ray Storer Jr. and his wife, Wendy, of St. Petersburg, Fla., Ronald Ray Storer and his wife, Corinne, of Damariscotta; his daughters, Rebecca Rae Storer-Akeley and her husband, Steve, of Damariscotta and Rhonda Rae Storer-Benner and her husband, Kevin, of Damariscotta; his grandchildren, William C. Fraser and his fianc?e, Nanette Hennig, of Damariscotta, Jessica L. Day and her husband, Darryl, of Damariscotta, Daryl R. Fraser and his fianc?e, Darcy Gianfriddo, of Damariscotta, Ronald R. Storer Jr. and his wife, Liz, of Damariscotta, Dustin L. Storer of Florida, Kevin L. Benner Jr. of Damariscotta, Chelsea M. Storer of Florida, Payson M. Benner of Damariscotta and Jeremy Akeley of Durham; his great-grand-children, Chasidy A. Day, Garrett Jake Day and Marley R. Storer, all of Damariscotta; his sister, Margaret Myers of Florida; his niece, Debbie Reno-Jones of Florida; his nephew, David Greims of Texas; his great-nephew, Mitchell Reno of Texas; and many cousins. Visiting hours will be held 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 26, at Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro. A Masonic service will be held 7 p.m. A celebration of Dick’s life will be held noon Friday, April 27, at his manmade farm pond behind his home, 321 Egypt Road, Damariscotta. Reception will be held immediately after the service at Lakehurst. Burial will be Saturday at Hillside Cemetery, Damariscotta. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Dick’s memory to the Great Salt Bay Band, care of John Morneau, 559 Main St., Damariscotta, ME 04543.