MILLINOCKET – Raymond L. “Sonny” Astle, 86, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, April 25, 2010, at a Millinocket hospital. He was born March 15, 1924, in Princeton, the son of Clinton A. and Nettie M. (Baker) Astle. Sonny was proud of his service with the 5th Marine Division at Iwo Jima during World War II, and was witness to the first American flag being raised there. He worked many years for Great Northern Paper Co., retiring in 1986, and was a lifetime member of Donald V. Henry Post No. 80, American Legion, Millinocket. Sonny loved fiddleheading in the spring and always enjoyed cutting wood. He liked going camping, and enjoyed playing cards and cribbage. Sonny was very creative, completing puzzles, then gluing and framing them. His basement was decorated with pictures drawn for him by his grandchildren. Raymond loved preparing for and decorating for holidays, especially Christmas. He had an extensive Christmas village and Santa Claus collection. He was dedicated to his family, and will be remembered for the loving care he showed his mother, visiting her daily for lunch and dinner during the 12 years she was a resident at Katahdin Nursing Home. Raymond will be remembered for always being ready and willing to help anyone who needed assistance, and for his many acts of kindness to friends and family. He is survived by two children, Clinton “Mike” Astle and his wife, Cheryl, of Bar Harbor and Deborah Jellison and her husband, Earle, of Brewer; five grandchildren, Cassie Elia, Michael and Aaron Astle, and Summer Hart and Lauren Jellison; four great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Raymond will also be missed by a special friend, Louise Rush; several close friends, Robert Leet, Steven and Verna Hawkes, and Fran and Gordon Thompson; and many others whose lives he touched. He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Alice M. (McDonald) Astle; siblings Harry “Buster” Morse, Helena “Pinkie” Le Vasseur, Bernice “Bunny” Leet and Betty Mae Kimball; a brother-in-law and best friend, Harold Kimball; and a nephew, Raymond Leet. Memorial services will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, April 29, at Lamson Funeral Home, 11 Tamarack St., Millinocket, with the Rev. Ian Shearer officiating. Interment with military honors will be at Millinocket Cemetery. Gifts in memory of Raymond may be sent to Salvation Army, 585 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401, Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 170 U.S. Route 1, Suite 250, Falmouth, ME 04105, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, attention donor services, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309 or Katahdin Area Support Group, 10 Field St., Millinocket, ME 04462. Messages of condolence may be expressed at www.lamsonfh.com.
RAYMOND L. ‘SONNY’ ASTLE
