SEDGWICK – Arthur Otis Astbury Jr., 81, passed away Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009, at Blue Hill Memorial Hospital. He was born June 14, 1927, in Sedgwick, the son of Arthur O. Sr. and Olive E. (Howard) Astbury. Artie attended Sedgwick schools. He served in the U.S. Navy as a motor machinist mate on the USS Mino in the Pacific at the end of World War II. During his life he worked as a mechanic, worked road construction, and in the woods harvesting pulp and firewood first with draft horses and later years with a tractor. He was a lifelong Red Sox fan, savoring their 2004 and 2007 World Series wins. As a young man, he played baseball for the Sedgwick town team as an excellent left-handed pitcher. Some of his favorite pastimes were hunting every fall with his extended family and following the harness races. He was a 60-year member of the Rainbow Grange and a member of the Odd Fellows of Brooksville. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Pauline Ruth (Gray) of Sedgwick; son, Randy Astbury and his wife, Kerryn, of Blue Hill; daughter-in-law, Leslie Astbury of Hampden; five grandchildren, William Astbury of Warwick, N.Y., Benjamin Astbury of Sedgwick, Nichole Bebout and Annalee Grindal, both of Blue Hill and Laine Astbury of Portland; sister, Betty Gray and husband, Gerald; and brother, Tracy Astbury and wife, Bernice, all of Sedgwick. He was predeceased by sons, Barry and Carroll; great-granddaughter, Siena Nicole Bebout; and sisters, Irma Pickering, Margaret Carter and Olive Douglass. Calling hours will be held 4-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, at Jordan-Fernald, 141 South St., Blue Hill, where a funeral service will be held 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8. Memorial contributions in Artie’s memory may be made to Peninsula Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 500, Blue Hill, ME 04614. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
ARTHUR OTIS ASTBURY JR.
