ISLESFORD – Leeman Gilley Ham, 99, died May 28, 2012, at his family’s home in Ellsworth. He was born Feb. 14, 1913, on Islesford, the son of Arthur E. and Maude (Gilley) Ham.
In his early years Lee attended Islesford School. He entered the U.S. Army in 1942 and served until 1945. He served as a long gun crewman in heavy artillery participating in the following battles and campaigns: Naples Foggia, Rome Arno, North Appenines and Po Valley. He received the Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaigning Ribbon and Victory Medal. Lee worked as a lobsterman all of his life. He enjoyed teaching the youth of the community the art of lobstering, how to build traps and knit heads.
Lee is survived by his daughter, Anne Van Nocker and husband, Clete, of Cape Coral, Fla.; eight grandchildren, Audrey Kaufman and husband, James, of Fort Pierce, Fla., Edgar Blank of Islesford, Julie Olearcek and husband, Henry Jr., of Islesford, Gretchen Blank of Cape Coral, Fla., Michelle Kurtz and husband, Joe, of Dover, Fla., Sharon Siciliano of Norton, Mass., Laura Tibbetts and husband, Mark, of Cohasset, Mass., and Morgan Rhees of Norton, Mass.; 19 great-grandchildren, Henry Michael, Adam Leeman, Natasha, Anne and Brigette Else Olearcek, Rush Rhees Blank, Noah and Maddison Kurtz, Rhees Kaufman, Megan, Christina, Frances, Gretchen and Oliver Blank, Gina, Oliva and Nicholas DelTufo, Kayla Tibbetts and Leah Rhees; and a niece, Elsie Plante of Mexico. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 42 years, Helen; son, Robert Rush Rhees; brother, Albert Emerson Ham; and sister, Eleanor Ham Stanley.
At Lee’s request, there will be no funeral service. There will, however, be a flotilla memorial in honor of Capt. Leeman Ham 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 5, with the flotilla procession starting 3:30 p.m. from Islesford Harbor heading out East of Bakers Island. Stand by Channel 72 for the final call for the “Helen H.” Those who desire may make contributions in Lee’s memory to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 3415, Augusta, ME 04330-3415. Arrangements in care of Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth. Condolences may be expressed at
www.jordanfernald.com.