HAROLD FRANKLIN RUKSZNIS

DOVER-FOXCROFT – Harold Franklin Ruksznis, 91, passed away, Oct. 30, 2009, at Hibbard’s Nursing Home, Dover-Foxcroft. Harold was born Aug. 8, 1918, the son of a Lithuanian immigrant, Peter Joseph Ruksznis and Florence Irene Bean of Guilford. He was the third of six children and with his siblings, grew up working hard on the family farm. Harold grew up and left the farm and worked a variety of jobs about the state of Maine before being drafted into the Army in 1941. After training in North Carolina and Oklahoma, Harold served in the South Pacific as a welding and mechanic specialist. He never tired of telling stories of traveling through the Panama Canal and serving in places such as Bougainsville, New Caledonia, Guadalcanal and Australia. After the war, Harold returned to Dover-Foxcroft, where he worked for American Woolen Co. and Dionne’s Blacksmith Shop. In 1960 he built his own blacksmith and welding shop on Whittier Street. Here he ran a successful business with his nephew, Jim Ruksznis until the late 1980s, when he retired and sold the shop to Jim. In all his dealings he was known for his resourcefulness and craftsmanship, as well as his work ethic and integrity. Harold married Stella Marie Bouley of Eagle Lake in 1946 and remained married until Stella passed away in 1992. Harold was known and will be remembered for his unflappable affability and his gregarious nature. He had a sincere fondness of company and loved socializing with anyone and everyone, as eager to hear their stories as to tell his own. He was especially fond of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Harold is survived by his brother, Clair Ruksznis of Guilford; his daughter, Sheila Ruksznis of Dover-Foxcroft; six grandchildren, Daniel Porter of Dover-Foxcroft, Tracy Porter of Parkman, Julie Porter-Chase of Guilford, Robin Palmer-Kersten of the Netherlands, Kerry Jo Palmer of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Bobbi Sue Palmer of New York City; and 10 great-grandchildren, Dani Lee, Ryan, Loren, Courtney, Chelsea, Emma, Luke, Connor, Nathaniel and Lily. At Harold’s request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. He had requested that anyone inclined to send flowers should instead make donations in his name to Mayo Regional Hospital’s diabetes department.