HAMPDEN – Freedom Otis Harvey, 73, passed away peacefully the night of Feb. 18, 2012, at a Bangor hospital with his family by his side. Freedom was born July 11, 1938, in Holden, son of Viola Merle (Hall) and Willis Patten Harvey Jr.
He grew up in Holden and at age 17 went into the Army. He served from 1955 to 1957. Upon honorable discharge, he was awarded a Good Conduct Medal. After serving in the Army he returned to Holden, where he became a woodcutter and hauled wood. He later moved to Stockton Springs, where he began driving truck for the town department. A couple years later he started driving for Alan Rooks where he drove truck for years. Although driving truck was his primary job, he still continued to cut and haul wood. While living in Stockton he became a volunteer firefighter for Stockton Fire Department, where he served from 1973 to 1989. His truck he drove was known as “The Big Tanker.” He was proud to talk about how he helped in a couple of big fires that are still talked about to this day. He moved to Hampden in 1989 where he continued to drive truck for many years, ending his last 18 years with Hughes Bros. due to health problems. Freedom enjoyed and looked forward to going hunting every year with his son, Willis, fishing, family gatherings, especially holidays and socializing over coffee with friends in the trailer park, where he will be sadly missed.
He was predeceased by his parents; sister, Francina Gladys Jipson; and great-grandson, Jayden Kimball. He is survived by his son, Willis Newbert and wife, Marcia, of Searsport; daughter, Fran White and husband, Billy, of Belfast; stepdaughters, Edith Newbert and Penny Dodge; stepson, Ralph Newbert; sister, Mildred Arlene Carrow of Carmel; brother, Robert Fred Harvey and his wife of Holden; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; an extra special companion through the years, his cat Fluffernutter; and many, many friends. A special thank you to the staff at Eastern Maine Medical Center Grant 4 for the special care and extra time they gave to Freedom and to Eden, a registered nurse who was of great support and love toward the end. Thank you to all of you.
There will be graveside services in the spring for family and friends at Rowe Cemetery, Holden. Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave., Belfast. Online condolences may be offered to the family at
www.ripostafh.com.