ELLSWORTH – Richard Warren Teele ventured into eternal life Aug. 14, 2010, and thus joined Ethyl his beloved wife. When Ethyl and I were gripped with a fear of death we refocused. We considered the resurrection. Did we believe this really happened? Yes we did. So what’s the problem? Perhaps for it all to be real simply means trusting the particulars of our own death to the designs of our loving God. Suffering is an ineradicable part of life, even as fate and death. Without suffering and death human life cannot be complete. The way in which a man accepts his fate and all the suffering it entails, the way in which he takes up his cross, gives him ample opportunity – even under the most difficult circumstances – to add a deeper meaning to his life. Richard was born in Virginia, the son of Kenneth Robertson and Molly (Posselt) Teele. Dick launched his career in public accounting with Coopers & Lybrand in New York City. He then returned south as vice president and trust officer for American National Bank and Trust Company in Mobile, Alabama. Then it was back to New York to work with Stone and Webster, and to Massachusetts, with the Essex County Gas Corporation. He joined Union Trust Company in September, 1977, and retired in September 1995 as Executive Vice President and Treasurer. He retired as a member of the General Board of Directors and as Chairman of it’s Audit Committee in March, 2004 and remained with the Bank as Corporate Secretary until 1998. His volunteer involvements include serving as President of the Katahdin Council (Boy Scouts of America); a Rotarian; Trustee of the Black House, and board member for Hospice of Hancock County, where Ethyl was a vigorous volunteer. For years he taught courses for the American Institute of Banking and received AIB’s Distinguished Service Award in 1992. He also served for 15 years as treasurer of the Ellsworth Chapter of the American Field Service, and he and Ethyl have hosted AFS students from Australia, Norway, and South Africa. He also was a proud member and past long time treasurer of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, of Ellsworth. Finis Coronat Opus. There is no way to acknowledge all of my dear friends and neighbors without excluding someone. They know in their hearts who they are. To them Laus Deo. So Goodnight my Bride and lovely wife Ethyl. It has been one hell of a journey. I loved you every step of the way and I never stopped believing that you were a gift from God. I look forward to seeing your smiling face again someday. Wow! We will have so much to talk about. I love you. “God indeed is my Savior. I am confident and unafraid; my Strength and my courage is the Lord and he has been my Savior.” Isaiah 12:2 A Mass of Christian burial will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 231 Main St., Ellsworth, with Father Scott Mower, celebrant. Interment will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Ellsworth. Those who desire may make contributions in Richard and Ethyl’s memory to Maine Coast Memorial Foundation, 50 Union St., Ellsworth, ME 04605. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
RICHARD WARREN TEELE
