PROSPECT – Irving Clyde Rainey Sr., 88, went to join his wife of 40 years, Beatrice E. (Theriault) Rainey, in the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 2, 2012. Irving was born Jan. 1, 1924, in Prospect, the first son of Thomas A. and Theresa (Rose) Rainey.
Irving attended schools in Prospect and Stockton Springs, graduating from Stockton High School. Irving served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a gunner on an Avenger torpedo bomber. He had reconnected in recent years with his former pilot, Robert Nicholson “Nic” of Black Mountain, N.C. Irving received a Navy Cross for his heroic actions when they were shot down. He received his honorable discharge in October 1945. During his lifetime Irving worked as a truck driver on road construction summers and snow removal for the town of Prospect and then later for Dow Air Force Base. He learned to operate a bulldozer and then worked operating one for several summers for local contractors and then out-of-state on larger road projects while still working winters at Dow Field. Irving also worked occasionally as a longshoreman at Searsport Docks, sawing logs at the family saw mill at his parents farm, and later taking over raising the beef cattle his father had started.
Irving is survived by seven children: son, I. Clyde Rainey Jr. and friend, Kieth Miller, of Gouldsboro; and daughters, Linda Gamble, Judy Provencher and husband, Ron, Susan Laskey, Cynthia Hamilton and husband, Greg, Jen Brown and husband, James, all of Prospect and Jane Johnson and husband, Craig, of Long Key, Fla. He leaves 11 grandchildren, Karie McBride, Guy Gamble, Ron Provencher Jr., Shannon McDermott, Christie Holden, Mandy Hamilton, David Johnson, Jessie Mott, Derrick Johnson, April and Aaron Laskey. There are eight great-grandchildren, Allyssa Torrey, Gabrielle McBride, Xavier Hamilton, Julian McDermott, Max Provencher, Spencer McDermott, Isaiah Eaton and Bo Provencher. Irving was predeceased by his wife, Beatrice; an infant son, Richard Alan; his sister, Thelma Paquette; his brother, Thornton “Bill”; and his great-granddaughter, Ebony Gamble.
A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Monday, May 7, at Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home, 28 Elm St., Bucksport, with Pastor Peter Remick officiating. After the service there will be a gathering held at Prospect Community Club, U.S. Route 1A, Prospect. In lieu of flowers, friends may make donations to Prospect Community Club, care of Valerie Doody, 477 N. Searsport Road, Prospect, ME 04981 or Prospect Historical Society, care of Carol Johnson, 92 Spout Hill Road, Prospect, ME 04981.