DAMARISCOTTA – Leighton Russell Keirstead, 82, died peacefully Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, in the arms of his daughters, while he was lovingly received by his bride of 55 years. He was born Aug. 1, 1929, in Presque Isle, a son of Oscar R. and Harriett A. (Cook) Keirstead.
He graduated from Mapleton High School, class of 1947, and from Coyne Electrical School, Chicago, in 1949. Leighton served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he was stationed in Trieste, Italy. He married the love of his life, Phyllis Marie (Higgins) Keirstead in 1953 in Mapleton, where they started their family, later to be raised in Windsor, Conn.
He was predeceased by his wife, in 2009; a son, Ronald, in 1981; a brother, Clifford; and a grandson, Jonathan Tetreault, in 2008. Survivors include four daughters, Donna J. Carr of Windsor Locks, Conn., LuAnn and her husband, Stanley Rogala, of Walpole, Rhonda A. and her husband, Mike Tetreault, of Southwick, Mass., and Karla S. and her husband, Jeff Larsen, of Southwick, Mass.; a brother, Richard Keirstead of Pisgah Forest, N.C.; six grandsons, Keith and Peter Carr, Tim Stiles, Chris and Mikey Tetreault, and Korey Larsen; and nine great-grandchildren. Leighton and Phyllis’ family thank everyone that offered them so much love and support during this difficult time.
Visiting hours will be held 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1, at Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick, where a funeral service with military honors will be held 1 p.m. A graveside service will be held in the spring in Windsor, Conn., where Leighton and Phyllis’ urns will be laid to rest with their son, Ronald.