PATTEN – Stephen E. McAvoy Sr., 84, died Feb. 21, 2006, at Patten. He was born Sept. 20, 2006, in Benedicta, the son of Fenton and Nellie (Rush) McAvoy. On Jan. 18, 1942, he married Jessie Cameron in Bath. He worked for many years as a potato farmer on the Gardiner Farms, retiring after 35 years. He and Jessie raised four children. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Jessie of Patten; a daughter, Nora Gardiner of Stacyville and her children, Maynard Jr. and his wife, Ellen, of New Mexico, Margaret and her husband, Bob Pauly, of the Dominican Republic and James of California; a son, Fenton McAvoy and his wife, Sherry, of Danielson, Conn., his children, Erin and her husband, Doug Merrill, of Hope, Willie of Belmont and Sherry’s son, Matthew and his wife, Jen, of Connecticut; daughter, Jill McDonald of Ellsworth and her daughter, Catherine. Also Steve Jr.’s children, Stephen III and family of Jacksonville, N.C., Jesse and family of Colorado and their mother, Donni McAvoy of North Carolina and Steve’s daughter, Terri Rae and her mother, Maureen McAvoy of Florida; seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson to be born in May; a sister, Barbara and her husband, Ora McNally, of Sherman and Nora Braswell of Winchester, Va.; many nieces and nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his son, Steve Jr.; his son-in-law, Maynard Gardiner Sr.; and 12 of his siblings. Steve spent the last three years at Mt. Heights, where he had received the most wonderful care from the most loving staff. The family would like to thank each and everyone of the staff for taking such wonderful care of “Papa” and spending time with him. He loved all the girls and he called Amy Willett “his Special Angel.” The family would also like to thank two very special people, Sandra and Bob Noonan for all their help. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Friday, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, Benedicta, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 9 a.m. Saturday, with Fr. Richard Malo, celebrant. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mt. Heights Health Care Facility, care of Bowers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 579 Houlton, ME 04730.
STEPHEN E. MCAVOY SR.
