SEAN JAMES SMALL

PEORIA, Ariz., and OAKFIELD – Sean James Small, 43, died unexpectedly July 9, 2007. He was born Sept. 10, 1963, in Mesa, Ariz., the third son of retired Maj. Dennis E. Small and Virginia R. Nason. As the youngest of three boys in a U.S. Air Force family, Sean was much traveled, even at a young age. Besides Arizona, Sean lived in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and Fairbanks, Alaska, prior to starting school in Lakeside, Mont., in 1968. He also attended schools in Huber Heights, Ohio, Bellevue, Neb., Merrimack, N.H., and Dyer Brook. Upon graduating from Southern Aroostook Community School, Dyer Brook, in 1981, Sean earned a degree in machine tool technology from Eastern Maine Vocational Technical Institute, Bangor. He worked in that field in New Hampshire prior to returning to Arizona, where he made his home and had many friends. Sean enjoyed camping and hunting in the Arizona mountains, and a favorite relief from the workday was riding his dirt bike in the Arizona desert sands. It was from the peaceful quiet and solitude of this desert vista that he would frequently make contact on his cell phone with family and fri-ends back here in Maine. Sean was an eternal optimist, who always saw good in others and enjoyed life to his fullest. In addition to his parents, Dennis E. Small of Oakfield and his mother, Virginia R. Nason of Island Falls, he is survived by a son, Jeremy R. Small of Phoenix; a daughter, Amanda M. Small also of Phoenix; a brother and his wife, Derek E. Small and Karen of Raymond; a brother, Mark E. Small and his wife, Josefine, of Oakfield; a sister, Kaitlin S. Small of Oakfield; his companion, Deborah L. Gadway of Arizona; maternal grandmother, Mildred J. Nason of Vassalboro; paternal grandmother, Faustina M. Small of Houlton; several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Sean will also be remembered by a multitude of friends in many areas of the country. Visiting hours will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, at Bowers Funeral Home, Island Falls, with a short memorial of his life and prayers 2 p.m. Pallbearers will be Mark Small, Derek Small, Charles Garcelon, David Small, Patrick Small and Bill Small. Interment will be after at Smyrna Mills Cemetery.