CANAAN – Warren Blaine Tobey, 86, passed away May 28, 2010, into the arms of his living Savior. Warren was born May 10, 1924, in Mineola, N.Y., the son of William S. and Harriet V. Tobey. As a boy, his main interests were buildings and trains. Summers were spent in Canaan. He even had a camp with electricity years before the outskirts of town had it. He was a graduate of Long Branch (N.J.) High School. He was a member of the YMCA and a student usher at St. Luke’s Church. He entered the service Aug. 19, 1943, and served in Headquarters Company 1st Battalion, 2nd Armored Division, and the 66th Armored Regiment in advance posts communications. He went through Scotland, England, France, Netherlands, Luxemburg, Belgium and Germany. His awards were four Battle Stars: Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes and Rhineland. He received the Bronze Star for bravery, gallantry and courage. He also received the Good Conduct Medal, Sharpshooters Medal and Victory Medal in European-African Middle Eastern Ribbon. A 10-day vacation – overseas furlough – was spent in French Riviera. He took a two-year GI training course on agriculture and law, and later took mechanical drawing courses. He married Marjorie Jewell, April 9, 1947, and they shared 63 happy years together. He owned and operated a diversified farm, which became all poultry, even sending hatching eggs to Venezuela, South America, with 97 percent hatchability. He later worked in two furniture stores before employment at Ethan Allen Manufacturing as a quality control person on various styles of occasional tables. He formed subdivisions on Sunny Acres with roads and homes from his own property in Canaan. Warren enjoyed carpentry, drawing plans for homes and lay outs, gardening and going to fairs and festivals. He liked local and statewide basketball, the historical society and reading. He served Canaan Union Church as deacon and Sunday school superintendent. He was a charter member of Canaan Calvary Church and served as a trustee. He was a youth fellowship leader and a 60-year member of Canaan Grange No. 239, having held several offices. He won a recognition plaque for Grange Community Progress, carrying out the Grange Recreation Program for Youth. He also served on the town budget committee and was a town representative to North Kennebec Regional Planning Commission. He also worked with the Boy Scout committee and was a 4-H woodworking and electric project leader. He was a lifetime supporter and member of Disabled American Veterans. He also supported Canaan Youth Haven Ministry and Lake George Regional Park. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie Tobey of Canaan; his daughter, Dorene Hyder and her husband, Harry, of Hendersonville, N.C.; his sister, Beverley Chase of Hawaii; his brother-in-law, Earle Jewell; his sister-in-law, Freda Jewell; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son, Kenneth Warren Tobey. A graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, June 5, at Tobey Cemetery, Tuttle Road, Canaan, with the Rev. Diana Perkins and the Rev. Kevin Brooks officiating. A celebration of life will be afterward at Canaan Calvary Church. Care for the Tobey family has been provided by Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home, Pittsfield. To leave a message of kindness for the family, please visit www.shoreynichols.com. <
WARREN BLAINE TOBEY
