BAR HARBOR – Elliott Jordan “Squeak” Sawyer, 89, a kind, hard-working, resourceful man with an unceasing eye for entrepreneurial opportunity, who grew up surrounded by the love of more than a dozen brothers and sisters, died Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011, in the embrace of his wife and daughters, at Mount Desert Island Hospital. Elliott was born June 17, 1922, in Bar Harbor, the seventh child of Fred Sawyer and Ada (Jordan) Sawyer, of Hulls Cove, who together had 13 children.
His mom died when he was six years old. Later, his father married Leola Caler, who brought her two children to the fold. The couple had two more bringing the family total to 16. For many in Bar Harbor, Elliott was simply known as “Squeak,” a nickname he was given when he was 9 years old because his new shoes squeaked loudly with every step. In February 1941, at age 18, Squeak joined the National Guard. Just a few months later he was called to active duty in World War II. Returning home it was a pretty Franklin lass, Dolores Camber, who caught his eye and won his heart. They were married Nov. 2, 1947, in Bar Harbor, as the ashes of the Great Fire still smoldered in empty cellar holes. The union of “Squeak and Dimp,” as the couple came to be known, would last for more than 60 happy years. After living for a time in Hulls Cove, the couple built a new home on the corner of Eden Street and Harbor Lane where they would live for 55 years. Eventually Squeak would leave the market for the Bluenose Ferry Terminal where he remained for 23 years until retirement. Squeak also would buy and refinish furniture for resale. His regular yard sales on the front lawn became a tradition onto themselves. He was active in Church of Our Father, Hulls Cove, was a Clam City Waybaker, and an avid sports fan who rarely missed a Red Sox, Celtics or Patriots game.
Squeak was predeceased by his parents; and his siblings, Lowell, Frederick, Madeline, Ada, Buddy, Leona, Burnell, Esther, Ella, Gerald, Harrison and Ernest. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dolores; his brother, Lloyd and his wife, Dolores, of Bar Harbor; brother, Charles Sawyer of Ellsworth; sister, Mildred Bibro of Portland; his daughters, Roxie Brechlin and husband, Earl, of Bar Harbor, and Mary Lauzau and her husband, the Rev. Bryan Lauzau, of Franklin, Ohio; grandchildren, Heather Servaites and husband, Matt, of Bar Harbor, Evan Graves and his wife, Erin, of Caribou, Sara Graves of Bar Harbor, and Justin Lawson of Bangor; great-grandchildren, Elliott Servaites, Hayden Graves and Emma Graves; numerous nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Brad Gray.
A service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17, at Church of Our Father, Hulls Cove, with Father Charles Bradshaw officiating. Interment will be private. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Bar Harbor Food Pantry, 36 Mount Desert St., Bar Harbor, ME 04609 or Island Connections, 15 Eagle Lake Road, No. 505, Bar Harbor, ME 04609.