SACO and MILLINOCKET – Laurence E. Mackin, 91, of Evergreen Manor, Saco, died Friday, Jan. 28, 2011, at Mercy Hospital, Portland, after a long illness. He was born Nov. 24, 1919, in Millinocket, one of 19 children born to Charles and Eva (Williams) Mackin Sr.
He attended Millinocket schools and before graduating, worked several years with President F. D. Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps CCC and enlisted with the U.S. Army during World War II. He proudly received his GED from Stearns High School in 2003. He married Phyllis LePage, the love of his life, June 8, 1950. They were married for 34 years when she passed in 1984. He later married Zina Dunkin June 13, 1987, she passed in 2001. Upon Laurence’s return from war service, he returned to Millinocket, working at the paper mill and the town of Millinocket. He worked as a custodian at Katahdin Avenue Elementary School for many years, well known by the school children as “Mr. Mackin.” He retired in 1980. He was a lifetime member of American Legion, Millinocket. Laurence was a social butterfly and greeted any familiar face with “Hey Chief!”
He loved spending time at his camp on Ambajejus Lake and wintering in Florida. He especially enjoyed spending time with his daughters and granddaughter, Michelle Waterhouse and her husband, Jake. He loved playing the game Sorry and also making puzzles with his great-granddaughter, Jewel. Laurence was the last surviving sibling of his 18 sisters and brothers.
He is survived by three daughters, Lynn Beaulier and her husband, Alan, of Millinocket, Ada Angotti and her husband, Rodney, of Millinocket and Laurie Katon and her husband, James, of Biddeford; seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.
A memorial visitation will be held 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, at Hope Memorial Chapel in Biddeford. A memorial visitation will be held 1-2:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4, at Lamson Funeral Home, 11 Tamarack St., Millinocket, with services held 3 p.m. at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 19 Colby St., Millinocket. A private military burial will be held in the spring at Millinocket Cemetery. Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Laurence may be made to Alzheimer’s Association of Maine, 170 U.S. Route 1, Suite 250, Falmouth, ME 04105 or Katahdin Area Support Group, 10 Field St., Millinocket, ME 04462. To share condolences online, please visit
www.HopeMemorial.com.