ROBBINSTON – Gerald “Gerry” R. Taber passed away Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, at his home. Gerry was born May 11, 1927, in Bangor, son of the late William Arnold Taber and Catherine Cullinan Taber. Gerry was educated in Bangor schools and graduated in 1947 after serving his country. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1945 and served aboard the General Meigs mainly in the South Pacific. Upon returning home, he worked at Eastern Corp. for a short time. Gerry then worked for Seaboard Finance Co., and moved to Calais to open a branch office in 1954. After 13 years with Seaboard, he opened First National Bank of Bar Harbor, Calais, in 1967 as branch manager. Gerry graduated from New England School of Banking at Williams College, Williamstown, Mass. He loved his work and people he worked with. Gerry retired in 1989 as vice president. Gerry was a member of Calais City Council from 1958 to 1962. He was honored to be a lifetime 40-year member of Calais Lions Club and lifetime member of Boyd-Smith Post No. 9779 VFW and Sherman Bros. Post No. 3 American Legion. Gerry was also an active member of Robbinston Snowmobile and ATV Club, and for many years was a member of St. Croix Golf Club. Gerry attended Second Baptist Church, Calais, and enjoyed gospel music. He enjoyed the outdoors and had a great love of fishing, hunting and golf. His love for music was a part of him, which he shared with family and friends. Gerry was very competitive in sports and enjoyed the Red Sox games. In 1963 he built Keenes Lake Campground, which he sold in 1973 and built a home in Red Beach. Gerry married Ada Johnson Dunnett, October 1973. They purchased a home in Florida in 1989 and wintered there until 2008. Gerry is survived by his loving wife, Ada; four children, Debbie Taber of Windham, Dennis Taber of Poland, Dawn Taber-Cayer and husband, Michael, of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, and Scott Taber of Mattapoisett, Mass.; three stepchildren, Linda Pollard and husband, Bob, of Brewer, Douglas Dunnett and wife, Grace, of California and Mary Ellen Dunnett of Kittery; 10 grandchildren, Shannon, Michelle, Matthew, Christopher, Nathan, Jennifer, Mindy, Christian, Justin and Jason; ten great-grandchildren; his sister, Patricia Sandburg and husband, Richard; brother, Norman Taber and wife, Henrietta; sisters-in-law, Lillian Robinson, Jean Johnson and Ernistine Taber; many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Second Baptist Church, 21 Church St., Calais, where a celebration of Gerry’s life will begin 2 p.m. Burial will take place in the spring at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor. Donations in Gerry’s memory may be made to Second Baptist Church, 21 Church St., Calais, ME 04619 or the American Cancer Society, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Homes, Calais and Eastport. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.maysfuneralhome.com.
GERALD ‘GERRY’ R. TABER
