ROCKPORT – Freeman Leroy Hawes Sr., 90, a lifelong resident of Rockport, died Sept. 19, 2012, at Maine Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Togus. Born April 26, 1922, in Rockport, he was the son of Frank Delano and Emma (Kent) Hawes and attended schools there.
From 1942 to 1945, Freeman proudly served in the 1st Army 3rd Armored 486th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion as an anti-aircraft artillery gun crewman in the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign. His military tour took him to Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. He returned to Rockport and worked as a truck driver and married Shirley Ryan Sept. 19, 1959. Freeman worked for many years for the town of Rockport in multiple positions including fire chief, police officer, highway department, and custodian at the town office building. A true people person, Freeman was always ready to tell a tale or a story. He cherished his family and enjoyed serving his community. Freeman loved his pickup trucks, camping, collecting coins and going to dances. He very much enjoyed his hunting and fishing trips with his sons, Craig and Wayne. He was a founding member of Lakeview Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Rockport.
Surviving are his wife, Shirley Ryan Hawes of Rockport; their four children, Wayne E. Hawes and his partner, Ruth Sadri, of Tenants Harbor, Craig A. Hawes and his wife, Erica, of Union, Judith E. Hawes and her partner, Larry Soper, of Searsport and Alison J. Poland and her husband, James, of Warren; and two sisters, Mary Dennison of Rockport and Nettie Salo and her husband, Arvo, of Owls Head. He is also survived by his daughter, Bonnie Brann and her husband, Raymond, of Friendship; 14 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by 11 sisters, two brothers; and his son, Freeman “Butchie” Hawes Jr.
Services were held Sept. 26 at Lakeview Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Rockport. Memorial donations in his memory may be made to Camden First Aid Association, P.O. Box 368, Camden, ME 04843. Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home, Camden. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com.
Freeman L. Hawes Sr.
