PENOBSCOT – Millard A. Wardwell, 85, of Penobscot, loving husband, father and grandfather passed away peacefully Dec. 9, 2013, at his home with his wife of 64 years at his side after an extended period of poor health. He was born in 1928 in Penobscot. He was the son of Adelene Hutchins Wardwell Grindle and Melvin Albert Wardwell Jr.
He went to school in Penobscot and attended Clark High School. After school he had a short stint in the navy. He was assigned to the mine sweeper Davison shortly after the 2nd World War cleaning mines from shipping lanes and channels in the Pacific until the health of his father required his return home. He married Marjorie Lola Drake in 1949. He worked at the Paper Mill in Bucksport for 38 years until he retired in 1984. He was a licensed Maine Guide and served six years on the Maine Fish and Wildlife Advisory Council. He was a member of the Maine Trapper’s Association and was awarded Trapper of the year in 2012. He was a lifelong member of the NRA and had belonged to the Masonic Rising Star Lodge No. 4 in Penobscot for 56 years. He was the Animal Control officer for Hancock County for a number of years as well as Alewive Warden in Penobscot. He was a life member of Bucks Mill Rod and Gun Club. He and Marjorie spent numerous years snowmobiling with their friends and family up north. He loved going camping with his family at Matagamon Campground and later at Joe Mary Campground. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and trapper and was always busy doing something. Millard spent much of his free time in the outdoors.
He is survived by his ever loving and devoted wife of 64 years, Marjorie Drake Wardwell; three sons and one daughter, David and wife, Barbara, Peter and wife, Vicky, Toby and wife, Donna, and Tamatha Wardwell and husband, Russell Lenor; grandchildren and their spouses, Amanda and Adrian Munro, Lucas Wardwell, Gabriel and Erin Bowden, Brianya and Ben Williams, Rachael and Hunter Wilbur and Forrest Wardwell; Millard’s great-grandchildren, Ayli Grace and Ason Munro and Nicholas Bowden Gould; his sister, Marilyn Tapley and husband, Robert; stepgrandsons, Nick, Jason and Zack Lenor; and several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Millard’s memory to Penobscot Fire Department Penobscot, ME 04476; and Penobscot Historical Society Penobscot, ME 04476. Family and friends will gather for visitation 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, at Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home, 28 Elm St., Bucksport. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at Mitchell-Tweedie, with Pastor Peter Remick officiating. Interment will be at Bay Side Cemetery with Military Honors following the service. www.mitchelltweeie-young.com.
Millard A. Wardwell
