DOVER-FOXCROFT – Stephen Jay Law, 84, died Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011, at Mayo Regional Hospital, Dover-Foxcroft. He was born Nov. 30, 1926, in Dover-Foxcroft, the son of Fred and Florence Law.
He graduated from Foxcroft Academy and received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Maine, Orono. An Air Force veteran, he was a member of the American Legion and past commander of Post 29, Dover-Foxcroft. He married the former Elaine Roma Wharff, June 11, 1950, in Guilford. Steve joined the U.S. Forest Service in 1958 and worked in the national forests of New Hampshire, Vermont, northern California, Virginia and Alaska. He shared his adventures in a book, “A Forest Environment,” published in 2010. The book also includes his father’s journal, which recounts Fred’s experiences logging in the North Woods from 1913 to 1923. Steve and Elaine moved back to Maine in 1978 and he was town manager for Milo from 1978 to 1981. He was elected to the Maine Legislature in 1984, representing House District 106, Dover-Foxcroft, Guilford, Bowerbank, Sebec and Garland. He was a member of the board of directors for the Natural Resources Education Center, Greenville, from 2002 to 2005, and a member of the Maine Rose Society. In 2003 Steve and Elaine initiated the Kids and Trees Growing Together program for school children in the towns surrounding Dover-Foxcroft. In 2008 they donated 115 acres of the family farm to the Piscataquis County Soil & Water Conservation District, stipulating that the land be used for educational experiences.
In addition to his parents, Steve was predeceased by his five sisters and brothers-in-law, Martha Hamilton, Cynthia and Irwin Burgess, JoAn and Charles Cole, Priscilla and Arthur Cleaves, and Annette Page. He is survived by his wife, Elaine, and their daughter, Stephanie, of Sabattus; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Friends may call 1 p.m. until the time of memorial service 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, at Lary Funeral Home, Dover-Foxcroft. Interment will be afterward at Lee Cemetery, Dover-Foxcroft. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Guilford Center Baptist Church, P.O. Box 25, Guilford, ME 04443. Messages of condolence and memories may be expressed at
www.laryfuneralhome.com.