BELFAST – Russell E. “Junior” Whitcomb Jr., 73, passed away Monday, Nov. 14, 2005, with his family by his side. He was born Dec. 11, 1931, in Bangor, the son of Fairy (Eberhart) and Dr. Russell Whitcomb Sr. D.V.M. He graduated from Crosby High School as class president of the Class of 1950. Russell worked for the A&P, Tea Co. for 18 years throughout the state of Maine in many capacities starting as clerk and working up to store manager. He later worked for Dutch Chevrolet in Belfast and he and his wife also owned the Western Auto Store in Belfast for a number of years. Russell was a former member of the Belfast Planning Board. He was also a past master of the Phoenix Lodge No. 24 in Belfast, member and past secretary of the Waldo Chapter No. 7 in Belfast, member of the Palestine Commandery, No. 14 K.T. of Belfast and a member of the Anah Temple Shrine. During retirement he worked for the Maine State Ferry Service at Lincolnville Beach, as a bus driver and maintenance for MSAD No. 34 and a bus driver for the Waldo County Committee for Social Action. Russell enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing and researching his family genealogy. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Russell is survived by his wife of 50 years, Estelle (LaCombe) Whitcomb; two children, Russell “Rusty” Whitcomb and wife, Ethel, of Belfast and Susan Ward of Searsport; two grandchildren, Cara and Nicholas Ward of Searsport; a sister, Sandra Whitcomb Rediker and husband, William, of Belfast; sisters-in-law, Tina and Carl Milliken of Bangor and Linda and Robert Bradley of Johnston, Tenn.; brothers-in-law, Clayton and Elaine LaCombe of Orange, Calif. and Bryan and Deanna LaCombe of Lincolnville. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may call 10-11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 18, at the Crabiel-Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave., Belfast, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday with the Rev. David Abbott officiating. Burial will follow at Grove Cemetery, Belfast. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to either The Belfast United Methodist Church Sanctuary Fund, 23 Mill Lane, Belfast, ME 04915 or to the Waldo County General Hospital, Surgical Services Capital Campaign, P.O. Box 287, Belfast, ME 04915 or a charity of one’s choice.
RUSSELL E. WHITCOMB JR.
