COREA – Thomas Q. Lutes, 82, died peacefully Sept. 13, 2011, with family by his side, at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital. He was born June 5, 1929, in Nashville, Ind., the son of Russell and Minnie R. (Brown) Lutes.
Tom graduated from Van Buren High School, Christenburg, Ind., in 1946. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as a radarman until he retired in 1968 as a senior chief petty officer. Tom received many medals and commendations for his participation in the Korean and Vietnam wars. Upon his retirement from the U.S. Navy, he worked for the U.S. Naval Astronautical Group, Prospect Harbor, from 1968 to 1988, when he retired for the second time. Tom enjoyed his years of second retirement traveling in a motor home with his wife, Ellen. Together they traveled in every state in the U.S., province in Canada, and country in Central America. Tom was a member of Corea Baptist Church, Seaside Grange No. 567, life member of Gouldsboro Volunteer Fire Department, Winter Harbor Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Anah Temple Shrine, and was a plank member of Hancock County Shrine Club Lobster Boat Unit.
Tom is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ellen (Gasman) Lutes of Corea; two children: son, Thomas R. Lutes Sr. and his wife, Ginger, of Gouldsboro and daughter, Tina M. Young and her husband, Evan, of Hancock; three grandsons, Thomas R. Lutes Jr. of Portland, Eric Lutes and his significant other, Lisa Norton, of Columbia and Dylan Young of Hancock; one granddaughter, Mariah Young of Hancock; one great-grandson, Nicholas Lutes of Columbia; two sisters, Barbara Martin of Seymour, Ind., and Ednamae Lucas of Indianapolis; numerous nieces and nephews. Tom was predeceased by his parents; and a younger brother, Lloyd.
In honor of Tom’s wishes and at the convenience of the family, private graveside services with Masonic rites will be held at Corea Cemetery. There will be a gathering of friends and family for a celebration of his life 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Tom and Ellen’s house, 151 Crowley Island Road, Corea. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be sent to Corea Baptist Church, care of Edith Woodward, 78 Crowley Island Road, Corea, ME 04624 or Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, care of Anah Shrine, P.O. Box 735, Bangor, ME 04401.