PRESQUE ISLE – Ben Madore, 88, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, May 25, 2010, at his residence. He was born Aug. 2, 1921, in Van Buren, the son of Donat and Annie Madore. Ben graduated from high school in St. Agatha and entered the U.S. Marines. He proudly served his country during World War II in the Marshall Islands. Upon his discharge in 1945, he married Glennis Flanigan, Nov. 16, 1946, and they shared 59 years of marriage together until her passing in 2006. Ben owned and operated Fred P. Stevens Co. for many years, retiring in 1981. In 1992, he was employed at Kinney’s Clothing Store, retiring again in 1998. Ben was a longtime communicant of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Presque Isle. He was a fourth degree Knight in Knights of Columbus and enjoyed taking the tickets at Saturday night dances at the K. of C. Hall. Ben’s patriotism extended beyond his discharge, in that he was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars as well as the American Legion, and would not miss an opportunity to honor a deceased veteran. Ben was a former member and district secretary of Presque Isle Lions Club and a former member of Presque Isle Country Club. One of his favorite pastimes was going to coffee with his friends 3 p.m. everyday either at Northeastland Hotel or at Tim Hortons. He was a lifelong Red Sox fan and one of the highlights of his life was when his grandson took him to his only game at Fenway Park in August 2006. Another great pleasure was attending family functions and taking trips with his brothers and sisters. He is survived by a son, Barry Madore and his wife, Alexis, of Presque Isle; a grandson, Matthew Madore and his wife, Anna, of Manchester, N.H.; granddaughter, Melanie Madore of Milford; a great-granddaughter, Madison Madore of Manchester, N.H.; two brothers, J. Donald Madore of Bedford, N.H., and Michael Madore of Albuquerque, N.M.; two sisters, Robertine Kelley of Chicago and Carol Surapine of Enfield, Conn.; as well as several nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind three special neighbors, Fred Getchell, Ralph Good and Carl Doughty. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by a son, Brian Madore; four brothers, Gerard, Roderic, Floyd and Vern Madore; as well as two sisters, Luella Theriault and Charlene Dynes. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Monday at Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church St., Presque Isle. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 1, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Presque Isle, with the Rev. Raymond Morency, celebrant. A committal service with military honors will be held after the Mass at North Main Street Catholic Cemetery. A reception will be held after the committal at the Knights of Columbus Hall. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations in Ben’s memory to C.A.N.C.E.R., P.O. Box 811, Presque Isle, ME 04769.
BERNARD ‘BEN’ A. MADORE
