HAMPDEN – Joel M. Linn, 59, died Dec. 15, 2011, surrounded by his loving family and friends at a Bangor hospital. He was born March 1, 1952, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of Irving Harry and Marcia (Ahrenstein) Linn.
Joel’s father emigrated from Germany and traveled alone by ship to the United States in 1923. The family name at that time was Levinsky, and upon arrival it was thought that changing the name to Levin would assist in assimilation into the life and culture of America. Later on, Isadore changed his name to Irving Harry Linn. Joel attended Essex Agricultural and Technical Institute. He was employed as a surgical technician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, in the cardiothoracic surgical service from 1977 to 1980. After graduation from Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, in the physician surgical assistant program in 1984, he returned to Brigham and Women’s Hospital and was employed from 1984 to 1990 in the cardiothoracic surgical service. He then moved to Bangor and was employed by Cardiothoracic Surgery of Maine for the past 21 years. He was a member of the American Association of Physician’s Assistants and the Association of Physicians Assistants in Cardiovascular Surgery. He was a member of Congregation Beth Israel and Congregation Beth El. He loved horseback riding thus one of his favorite vacations was a trip to a ranch in Wyoming in 1997. He had a vast collection and knowledge of classical music and could whistle even the most obscure tunes. He played the trumpet, piano and was learning to play the drums with his children. He was also an expert in movie trivia and could usually identify a tune when given only the first three notes. Joel was passionate about many things, above all his family. His patients adored him for his kindness and gentle hands. The nurses and all hospital staff revered him for his patience and helpful presence. His surgeons loved him for his skill and expertise, his strong work ethic and his ability to bring humor into even the most tense of situations. His uncanny resemblance to Richard Gere was the subject of much discussion. How many thousands of times was he asked “has anyone ever told you that you look just like Richard Gere?”
He is survived by his mother; his wife, Giselle of Hampden; daughters, Rachel of Venice, Calif., Leah of Rochester, N.Y., Aubra and Elise of Hampden; and brothers, Mark of Lawrence, Mass., and Donald of Methuen, Mass. Joel was predeceased by his father; and infant son, Abraham. The family gratefully acknowledges all of the cards, letters, emails, gifts and phone calls that Joel received during the past several weeks. We are overwhelmed and thankful for the blessing of a generous and loving community.
Funeral services will be held 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at Congregation Beth El, 185 French St., Bangor, with Rabbi Darah R. Lerner officiating. Interment will be at Beth El Cemetery, Bangor. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the family home immediately after the interment. As tradition dictates, the family will be sitting Shiva at their home during the hours of 5-7 p.m. Dec. 19, 20 and 21, with Minion being held 6 p.m. each evening. To honor his memory donations may be made to Reeds Brook Athletic Club, 192 Patterson Road, Hampden, ME 04444 or Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mount Hope Ave., Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at
www.BrookingsSmith.com.