PRESQUE ISLE – William E.A. “Bill” Smythe, 57, died Friday night, Jan. 21, 2011, at a Bangor hospital after an extended illness. He was born April 4, 1953, in Calais, the son of Henry C. and Helen E. (Algar) Smythe. He graduated from Calais Memorial High School in 1971 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Lowell Technical Institute in 1975. Bill came to Presque Isle in 1975 and worked for Nissen Baking Co. In 1977 he started working for Milliken Tomlinson Co. and was in charged of retail marketing of all IGA stores south of Presque Isle. In 1980 Bill acquired the First National Store, Presque Isle, and opened it as North Plaza IGA Foodliner. In 1990 he moved the store to the old Zayre’s location and named it Smythe’s IGA Plus. At the time of his death owned three Save-A-Lot stores in Caribou, Farmington and Brewer. Bill was very active in the community. He was a member and past president of Presque Isle Rotary Club, Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Council and Northern Maine Fair Association. He was a member and vice chairman of The Aroostook Medical Center, member of the board of directors of Presque Isle Snowmobile Club and The Aroostook County Federal Savings & Loan Association, and member of Presque Isle Elks and Fish & Game Club. Bill was voted 1994 Presque Isle Citizen of the Year and was the recipient of the 1996 Presque Isle Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship Award. He is survived by his wife, Peggy (Quigley) Smythe of Presque Isle; two sisters, Catherine Carson and her husband, Kenneth, of Robbinston and Susan Smythe of Portland; several nieces and nephews, and many special friends. He was predeceased by his parents. Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church St., Presque Isle, where funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, with the Dr. Rev. Robert Grove Markwood officiating. After the service, a reception will be held in the gathering area of the funeral home. Spring interment will be at Fairmount Cemetery. Donations may be made in his memory to County Dialysis, 21 North St., Presque Isle, ME 04769 or National Kidney Foundation of Maine, 630 Congress St., P.O. Box 1134, Portland, ME 04104-1134. Online condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.
WILLIAM E.A. SMYTHE
