HAROLD ROBERT REES SR.

SANGERVILLE and NEWPORT – Harold Robert Rees Sr., 91, a machinist’s machinist for more than 71 years, died May 21, 2010, at his son’s residence in Newport, after a short illness. He was born Sept. 14, 1918, in Mars Hill, the second son of Myrtle Broad Rees and Leslie William Rees. Harold attended Dexter schools and worked long hours on the family’s Ripley farm. At 23 he married his sweetheart, Maude-Doris Rollins of Sangerville, March 14, 1942. This union produced five children. A perfectionist in nearly everything he did, Harold became a machinist and served as a mentor for more than 30 years at Fay-Scott Landis Machine Corp. to many young men who later went on to work at Pratt & Whitney in Connecticut. Ever the entrepreneur, Harold bought a vacant textile mill in Sangerville and established his own machine shop, now Numberall Stamp and Tool Co. He later sold this mill and established his own smaller, custom machine shop, HBM Co., and worked there daily until a few weeks before his death. Harold was also multi-talented. He loved painting, hunting and fishing. He had a perpetually “green thumb” and his vegetable and flower gardens were the envy of the neighborhood. He hand-pollinated many of his plants – cucumbers, peppers, corn, tomatoes, sweet peas, dahlias and roses were his favorites. He was always receptive to new ideas and was generous in donating both his crops and flowers to friends and neighbors. A 60-year Mason and past master of Abner-Wade Lodge, he was also a member of Anah Temple Shrine of Bangor, Scottish and York Rites. He was also a past patron of Susie Carr Chapter of Order of the Eastern Star. Community-minded, he served as a Sangerville selectman for more than 10 years. A World War II veteran, Harold was a no-nonsense, frugal, competitive, dawn-to-dusk workaholic. But he also loved to dance, especially to the “oldies.” In his later years he enjoyed the friendship of neighbors and enjoyed sharing stories of his rich and varied life with Rita Provost, Carl Butler, the Grant brothers, Joseph and Edward; the Jordans; nephew, Linal Getchell; and many others. Despite his lifelong dedication to his many interests, Harold’s top priority was his family, for whom he was a constant source of love, inspiration and support. As Harold said, “If there is a future world, my lot will not be bliss: but if there is no other, I’ve made the most of this.” Harold was predeceased by his parents; his seven sisters, Hazel Downing, Bernice Daley, Betty Lemieux, Amy Rotella, Beulah Nelson, Coris Haskell and Lena Getchell; a brother, William Rees; and two sons, Harold Rees Jr. and Kim Rees. He is survived by the love of his life, Maude-Doris Rees; a daughter, Diana and her husband, Richard; a son, Gary and his wife, Toni; a son, Gene and his wife, Eleanor; two beloved daughters-in-law, Penny Rees and Shirley Rees; and 13 grandchildren, Shawn, Meghan, Brian, Kevin, James, Gene, Saundra, Penny, Kyle, Brett, Heather, Hope and Chad. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at Crosby & Neal, 21 Oak St., Guilford, where friends may call noon until the time of service. A Masonic graveside service will be afterward at Sangerville Village Cemetery, across from his beloved machine shop. Messages of condolence may be expressed at www.CrosbyNeal.com.