CARIBOU – Whitford Thayer Stevens Jr., 76, died Jan. 28, 2012, in Presque Isle, with his devoted wife by his side after a long period of declining health. He was born Feb. 13, 1935, in Caribou, son of the late Whitford Stevens and Martha (Hamilton) Stevens Haskell.
Whit was a lifelong Caribou resident and has the hope and salvation through grace by faith in the Lord Jesus. He was a 1953 graduate of Caribou High School and received his associate degree in business management from Ricker Classical Institute in 1977. He served with the U.S. Army in Germany and was a life member and past vice commander of Lister Knowlton Post 9389 Veterans of Foreign Wars. He married Sarah Clark Sept. 14, 1957, in Fort Fairfield. Whit was employed by the Birds Eye Division of General Foods, American Kitchen, Potato Service and Interstate Foods for many years. He played semi-professional baseball and was an avid Red Sox, Celtics and New York Giants fan. He coached Caribou Little League for a number of years and many will remember his countless years of umpiring Caribou area men’s softball games.
Mr. Stevens is survived by his wife of more than 54 years, Sarah of Caribou; his daughter and son-in-law, Cordelia and Nathan Saunders of Fairfield; his son and daughter-in-law, Whitford and Sophia Stevens III of San Antonio; one brother, Williard Stevens of Sanford; one sister and brother-in-law, Stephanie and William Flagg of Stockholm; five grandchildren, Joshua, Samuel and Matthew Saunders and Triszha and Sarah Stevens; two nieces and a nephew. Mr. Stevens was predeceased by his stepfather, David Haskell. The family expresses their heartfelt thanks to the whole medical community who took care of Whit’s health concerns the past few months.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Parish of the Precious Blood, Holy Rosary Catholic Church with Father Aaron Damboise officiating. After the service, all are invited to a time of continued fellowship and refreshments at Lister Knowlton Post 9389 VFW. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery. Friends who wish to contribute in memory of Mr. Stevens may do so through the National Kidney Foundation.
www.mocklerfuneralhome.com