EARLAND KINGSLEY SLEIGHT

ORONO and LUBEC – Earland Kingsley Sleight, 88, passed away peacefully Jan. 7, 2011. He was born in 1922, in Lubec, son of Charles Kingsley Sleight Sr. and Pearl Christine Ramsdell Sleight. He lived in Millinocket until age 11, when his father died. His mother, Pearl, and their three children, Earland, Charles and Christine, moved to Lubec. He graduated from Lubec High School as valedictorian of his small class. He graduated with honors from the University of Maine, Orono, in 1944, with a degree in chemical engineering. He was president of Sigma Nu fraternity. He joined the Navy as lieutenant junior grade and served on a minesweeper off the coast of Shanghai, China, during World War II. He returned to the University of Maine, Orono, and earned a master’s degree in chemistry. He worked for Penobscot Fiber Co. as a process engineer. He stayed with the company through many changes during a period of 39 years. Earland was instrumental in developing a training center for the mill’s employees in Old Town. He retired as vice president in charge in 1987. He was actively involved with Orono United Methodist Church and held various positions on the board throughout the years. He also worked with various community leaders to establish Orono/Old Town YMCA. He married Ina Margaret Kelley in 1944 and together they raised three sons. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Ina Margaret; his sons, Daryl Kingsley and his wife, Anne, of Carrabassett Valley, Alan Ramsdell and his wife, Lisa, of Carrabassett Valley and William Ernest and his wife, Katrina, of Shapleigh; seven grandchildren, Jennifer Gorman, Dustin, Kelly, Trevor, Leyenda, Yan and Hannah Sleight; three great-grandchildren, Patrick, Danny and Quinn Gorman; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Charles; and his sister, Christine. The family thanks the staff at Eastern Maine Medical Center and his special caregivers, Bea Badger, Eleanor Perkins and Christine Duren. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at Orono United Methodist Church, 36 Oak St., Orono. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Old Town YMCA or Orono United Methodist Church.