BANGOR – Laurence D. Fernald, 94, rejoined his beloved wife in the promise of salvation Oct. 26, 2011. Laurence, one of three children, was born in 1917, at home in Nicolin.
His mother, Evelyn (DeWitt) Fernald, was the teacher at the one-room Nicolin School and his father, Percy L. Fernald worked for Maine Central Railroad at Nicolin Station and later at Bangor. Laurence attended Bangor schools and graduated in 1934. He told his sweetheart they could get married as soon as he was making $25 a week and when that day came he proposed to Mary C. McDonough. They exchanged vows at St. Mary’s Church, Sept. 2, 1940. Laurence was a wonderful father of six children, talented dental technician and faithful volunteer. He owned and operated Bangor Dental Corp., hand crafting dentures, crowns and bridges for dentists in the area. His career as a certified dental technician spanned the years from 1935 to 1995. He volunteered as an usher at St. Mary’s since 1953 and at John Bapst’s athletic events for more than 50 years. He also volunteered at The Attic, Bangor, a resale shop to benefit All Saints Catholic School. Laurence was a faithful communicant of St. Mary’s Parish since his conversion to Catholicism in 1939. He was also a member of the Maine National Guard from 1934 to 1937.
He is survived by six children, Laurence D. Fernald Jr. and his wife, Jean M. “Bonnie,” of Ellsworth, and their children, Lance, Joanna and Joseph, David A. Fernald and his wife, Jane N., of Farmington, Conn., and their children, Wendy, Jennifer and Timothy, MaryCarol Rumsey and her husband, Charles, of Bangor, and their children, Patricia, Catherine, Charles and Christopher, Eileen K. Fowler and her husband, J. Donald, of Charlotte, N.C., Richard E. Fernald and his wife, Judith M., of Hampden, and their children, Kate, Erin and Kathryn, and JoAnn F. Wicks and her husband, Kenneth J., of Bangor, and their children, Cassandra and Allison; and sister-in-law, Joanne A. McDonough Leete of Cape Elizabeth. Laurence was blessed with 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary C. (McDonough) Fernald, June 20, 2005; and sister, Carolyn F. Clark of Hampden; and brother, Kenneth E. Fernald of Naples, Fla.
Family and friends may visit 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union St., Bangor. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ohio Street, Bangor. Burial will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bangor. A time of fellowship and refreshments will be immediately afterward. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Laurence’s memory to St. Joseph Hospital, care of Development Office, P.O. Box 1638, Bangor, ME 04402-1638.