VERONA ISLAND – Crosby Gardner Patterson, 97, died April 11, 2011, at his home. He was born Feb. 3, 1914, in Bangor, to Leander G. Patterson and Grace Hart Patterson.
Gardner was a graduate of Bangor High School and Higgins Classical Institute. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maine in journalism and English, as well as a Master of Education degree several years later. As a teacher in Westport, Conn., he continued his graduate work at Columbia University in New York, and Fairfield University, Fairfield, Conn. As a young man, Gardner worked at several of Maine’s newspapers as a reporter and feature writer, including the Bangor Daily News and Portland Press Herald. He also worked at Time magazine before returning to Maine to teach. He began teaching at Pennell Institute, Gray, and also taught at Bangor High School; Orono High School; and the Walt Whitman School, New York City; and for many years taught history and social studies at Bedford Junior High School, Westport, Conn. Associated with harness racing for many years, Gardner was the publicity director for Gorham Raceway and for Bangor Raceway. He raced a number of well-known horses throughout the years, among them G F Shirlton, who was named Horse of the Year. He wrote a number of books and magazine articles, including “Docker,” a young adult book published by Atheneum Books, which was reviewed by the New York Times. He also wrote “Ben Blue, The Story of a Racing Colt,” which was featured in the book section of the U.S. Trotting Association. A long-time interest in old Bangor and the lumber barons led to the writing of a novel titled “Bangor” and also a book of blank verse titled “New England Sonata,” all published by Thompson Printing.
He was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Marie Josephine Richardson; and his wife, Helen Hopkins Patterson. Gardner is survived by his daughter, Grace and son-in-law, Robert Daigle; and granddaughters, Madeline and Carrie Daigle.
At his request, there will be no service. Donations in his name may be made to Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow St., Bangor, ME 04401 or Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association. Arrangements are under the direction of Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home, 28 Elm St., Bucksport.