Obituaries
David G. Sleeper
November 5th, 2025
On Wednesday, November 5, 2025, David G. Sleeper peacefully passed away. David was born in Portland, ME. While growing up in a quiet, Cape Elizabeth neighborhood, his creative tendencies were beginning to show. Prior to 6th grade, he figured out how to tap the telephone system and listen to others making calls. Before attending college, he rescued a 1913 Model T from his great uncle Rob’s garage and had it running shortly after. Many similar events involving David and his circle of like minded friends followed — not always with parental approval. David attended high school at Holderness School in Plymouth, NH, and completed his formal education at Boston University.
After several years of employment at Scott Paper Company’s Specialty Paper division in Westbrook, ME, David decided that self-employment would provide better opportunities. His efforts resulted in the creation of several businesses. First came designing, manufacturing, and installing solar-thermal heating systems for cabins and small homes. David’s success led to the creation of Brook Farm Labs, an expansion into the photovoltaic-diesel generator arena, providing custom, stand-alone systems to meet the challenges of bringing power to remote locations.
Initial funding for Brook Farms Labs came, in part, from his service guiding tours throughout Casco Bay. Combining his commercial marine license and the 45 foot charter vessel the Freeman Clark, David provided customers with the experience of participating in a true Maine clambake. While underway or on a remote island beach, small groups would enjoy a lobster dinner, which included his famous clam chowder.
After 1996, David relocated Brook Farm Labs to Islesboro, ME where he also became the Harbor Master, as well as continued his role as a licensed Professional Engineer in the Army Corp of Engineers. Retiring in 2017, David moved to Florida 2 years later.
David will be remembered for his incredible creativity, his leadership, and his success as an entrepreneur. With his passing, David leaves behind his longtime partner, Alice Fay (Placida, FL), brother, Arthur Sleeper (Draper UT), a niece and nephews living in Brooklyn NY, Cincinnati OH, and Sacramento CA.
We would like to extend our gratitude to the staff of Discovery Commons Senior Living Center in Bradenton, FL and Tidewell Hospice, Bradenton who cared for David during challenging times.
Susan Elaine Curry
April 1st, 1953 - December 6th, 2025
Born on April 1, 1953 to Thomas Earl Curry and Dorothy Gervais Curry, Susan was the middle of three girls, sister to Bonnie (Littlefield) and Vicky (Bell), and grew up on Heather Road in South Portland. From an early age, she treated everyone around her with kindness and generosity–something for which she became known and well-loved over the course of her life.
Susan graduated from South Portland High School in 1971, earned her B.A. from Wheelock College in 1975, and later received a master’s degree in education from Lesley University. She touched the lives of hundreds of students over the years. Her open-minded approach to life was shaped by Susan’s close relationship with her father, a sea captain who spent his career traveling the globe and bringing home a treasure trove of stories to share; the two of them loved sailing Casco Bay together. Over many years as an elementary school teacher, Susan brought this sense of wonder to her classroom, instilling it in students of every ability.
Susan married Peter Michaud in 1986 and gave birth to two children, Elisabeth in 1987 and Thomas, named for his grandfather, in 1990. She and Peter raised their children in Cape Elizabeth, where they lived for 24 years, frequently walking the half mile to Portland Head Light, one of her favorite places. Susan loved spending time with her children and showing them the wonders of the world. Whether it was beach days, trips to the lighthouse, or a stop at the Artist & Craftsman, nothing made her happier than to share her joy for life with her kids.
Susan’s journey took her from Maine and Massachusetts to Washington, D.C. and back to Maine again, and along the way she built meaningful friendships with people from all walks of life: U.S. Senators, former NBA stars, parents of the students she taught, work colleagues, the staff at her favorite coffee shop in South Portland, neighbors old and young. Everyone who crossed paths with her fell in love with her generous spirit. She had a varied career, working as Executive Assistant to the CEO of Canal Bank, as a lobbyist in Washington, and as a teacher–most notably at Westbrook College Children’s Center and at Pond Cove Elementary School in Cape Elizabeth—before retiring in 2013.
She had a powerful ability to find and appreciate the small joys in life–the opening trill of her favorite song, Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”, reading and writing poetry, visiting local libraries, small, striped gray rocks she collected from beaches across the globe, and the humorous, printed knee socks she wore. She built celebratory traditions with friends and family, including ice cream for breakfast on the first day of summer vacation and Beaujolais Nouveau Day each November.
Susan is survived by her daughter, Elisabeth Michaud and son-in-law, Dave Benvenuti of Seattle, Wash.; her son, Thomas Michaud, daughter-in-law, Allana, and grandson, Harper Lewis of Islesboro; her sister, Vicky Bell and brother-in-law Brad, of Portland and Greenville, her brother-in-law, Gary Littlefield of Scarborough; and her former husband, Peter Michaud of Brunswick. Additionally, she is survived by many nieces, nephews; grand-nephews; and beloved friends.
She was predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Dorothy Curry; and her sister, Bonnie Littlefield.
Our family would like to thank the staff and volunteers of the Boardman Cottage in Islesboro, where Susan spent her last few years. Each of you filled her days with the same kindness and generosity she gave to others throughout her life.
A celebration of life will be held at a future date.
We’ll remember Susan by continuing to celebrate the small joys in life, and think of her every time we see a small, striped rock at the beach.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Susan’s memory to the Boardman Cottage, 131 Main Road, Islesboro, ME 04848
Harriet Bridges Hathaway
July 11th, 1934 - November 26th, 2025
Harriet Bridges Hathaway died peacefully at the age of 91 on Nov. 26th, 2025 from natural causes. Harriet made the world a better and more beautiful place through her love of family, the church, teaching, hard-work, generosity, gardening, flower arranging, painting, needlepoint, and work with multiple civic organizations.
Harriet was the daughter of Daniel Thurber Bridges and Jeannette Bickford Bridges and was born in Framingham, MA on July 11th, 1934. She excelled scholastically in schools in Kittery, ME, where she was awarded the Good Citizenship Award in her senior year for her leadership, service, dependability, and patriotism. Harriet graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 1956, where she majored in History and subsequently took several post-graduate teaching courses.
Harriet married David Benjamin Hathaway on March 24th, 1956 in Kittery, ME. David’s naval career took the family to many places including Panama, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, California, and Virginia. Throughout their travels, Harriet and David made many friends with whom they maintained life-long connections. While raising their two young children, Stephen and Jeanne, Harriet taught elementary school in each of the locations David was stationed in during his naval career. She loved children and used her creativity to make learning fun.
When David retired from the Navy, he and Harriet settled in Lexington, MA, where Harriet began her second career as a horticulturist. She worked at Lexington Gardens for 35 years, where she enjoyed assisting customers on every kind of plant-related question at the information desk. She lectured widely on a myriad of gardening topics including indoor plants, terrariums, and flower arranging. Harriet was an active member of the Lexington Field and Garden Club and served as President from 1984-1986. She organized the first tour of private gardens in Lexington, which became a biennial event. Harriet was also the chairman of Art-A-Blooming, a biennial event hosted by the Lexington Field and Garden Club and the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society featuring flower arrangements complementing local artist’s paintings. She also served leadership roles in the Garden Club’s Tuesday Morning Study Group and the Carleton-Willard Garden Club, and was a member of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, the Massachusetts Garden Federation Landscape Design Council, and volunteered at Lexington’s Interfaith Garden.
Church was an important part of Harriet and David’s lives wherever they lived. In Lexington, they were members of Hancock United Church of Christ for over 50 years, where Harriet served on the Flower Committee, Collation Team, and as an usher. Harriet and David also loved classical music. They had season tickets to the Boston Symphony Orchestra for many years, and in more recent years, attended and became sponsors of the Lexington Symphony.
Harriet strongly believed in the importance of history and education. She was an active member of the Alumnae Association of Mount Holyoke College and American Association of University Women (AAUW), and served as president of AAUW’s Bedford-Lexington branch. Harriet was also a volunteer for the Friends of Lexington’s Cary Memorial Library. Harriet’s family ancestry traced its roots to colonists before 1776, which entitled her to be a Colonial Dame. Harriet loved creating opportunities to keep history alive for the public. As a member of the Lexington Historical Society, Harriet chaired several Holiday Open Houses at Lexington’s historic Buckman and Munroe Taverns. She was also a co-chair of the Hancock-Clarke House herb garden, where she educated visitors about the culinary and medicinal use of herbs in colonial times. Harriet was also a member of the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Harriet also loved travelling and learning about other countries’ history and culture. Over the course of their lives, Harriet and David travelled to over 50 countries, with trips to Egypt and Machu Picchu being especially memorable.
Following retirement, Harriet and David were summer residents of Islesboro, Maine. Along with hosting family and friends and working on countless painting and wallpapering projects, Harriet still had energy to participate in several community organizations. She and David attended the Second Baptist Church Islesboro, and Harriet was a member of the Church Sewing Circle and chaired the church’s large rummage sale for three years. She was also a member of the Friends of the Islesboro Library, a steward for the Islesboro Island Trust, and an active member of the Islesboro Historical Society, where she worked in the archives and served many years as Secretary.
Harriet is survived by her husband, Lieutenant Commander David Benjamin Hathaway, son Stephen and his wife Janet of Andover, MA, and her daughter Jeanne and her husband Dr. Thomas Scammell of Wellesley, MA, four grandchildren, Sarah, David, Benjamin, and Christopher, and two great-grandchildren, William and Elizabeth.
Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life for Harriet at Hancock United Church of Christ Church in Lexington, MA on Saturday, January 10th, 2026 at 10 AM. To watch the service online, go to: http://youtube.com/hancockchurch, click on “Live”, then click the link to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to a fund Harriet established for horticultural-related materials and programs at Lexington’s Cary Memorial Library. This can be done by sending a check to Cary Memorial Library, 1874 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, MA, 02420 or donating online at: https://www.carylibraryfoundation.org/ and specifying that the gift is for the “Harriet Hathaway Fund”. Memorial gifts may also be sent to the Friends of the Alice Pendleton Library, P.O. Box 87, Islesboro, ME, 04848. Please include your name, address, and email.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Harriet Bridges Hathaway, please click here to visit our sympathy store.
Terri Leigh Frank
July 17th, 1967 - January 2nd, 2026
It is with Great Sadness that we share news of the passing of our Beloved Sister, Terri Leigh Frank, 58. She died peacefully, January 2, 2026, surrounded by the love of many of her Family and Friends at Sussman House, in Rockport.
Terri was born in Rockledge, Florida on July 17, 1967 where she was welcomed as the 5th child of John R and Betty (Keller) Frank. Her birth was a Celebration for her four older siblings and our neighbors on Leewood Boulevard, becoming everyone's little sister. She attended Sabal Elementary and Johnson Jr High.
Terri enjoyed many summer trips to Islesboro, Maine, her mother's hometown, for visits with her grandparents, Thel and Louise (Hatch) Keller. She fell in love with the island spending most of our time at Big Tree Beach swimming, eating Fluffernutter sandwiches, potato chips, roasting hotdogs, and drinking ZaRex.. At the beach, Terri made many lifelong friends and family connections. In her later years, she enjoyed sitting on the beach at Sprague's, watching the sunsets and spending time with whoever stopped by.
When Terri was 12 years old her mother passed away. Terri moved to Islesboro to live with her sister Karen and brother-in-law Paul. She continued her education at Islesboro Central School, where she graduated in the class of 1985.
Terri enjoyed telling people that she was second in her class and received lots of acknowledgements. She would then add, but there were only two of us in the whole class. As a student, she worked babysitting, picking crabmeat, and worked at Leach's Market for Jack and Jackie Leach.
Terri moved back to Florida a year or two after graduation and was employed by Path Foods, Richard's Paint Company, and Defense Contractor DRS. She later purchased and moved into her childhood home on Islesboro. There she made a home for many who wouldn't have had one without her kindness.
Always thinking of others, Terri made up packets of essential items handing them out to homeless people and donated them to shelters for people in need.
A very good cook who enjoyed entertaining, Terri was the "Hub of Activity", bringing family and friends together. She loved to play pool as a past time and many enjoyed many games with family and friends. An avid New England Patriots fan, she was fortunate to attend a game at Gillette Stadium with her brother, Bruce and nephew BJ.
For the past 15 years, Terri had been employed by a wonderful summer family whom she cared for and loved very much. She was a dedicated hard worker always going above and beyond no matter the task at hand.
Terri was a dedicated hard worker always going above and beyond no matter the task at hand.
She was an overcomer, having faced many challenges throughout her life with faith, courage, strength and humor.
Terri loved everyone, especially her family and friends and was loved in return.
She thought a lot of her nieces, nephews and their families. Surviving are her siblings, John (Kathy) Frank, Russell (Bonnie) Frank, Bruce (Bonnie) Frank, and Karen (Paul) Grindle; nieces and nephews, Lynsey, Brooke, BJ, Kenny, Nicole, Brian, Christopher, Ryan, and Joel. Also surviving are her closest friends, Shelly, Sarah and Sandy, Diane and Ace, Linda and Donnie, Rachel, Amy, Jenny, Wendy, Jess, Myra, Connie and Patti . Terri was predeceased by her parents, grandparents and precious nephew, Anthony Frank.
Terri had an invincible loving spirit and the most generous heart. Those who knew her were blessed to know her you which was a treasured gift.
A graveside service is planned for Terri, on her birthday, July 17, 2026 12:00, noon at Maple Grove Cemetery, Islesboro. At sunset that day, there will be a time of remembrance at Sprague's Beach and all are welcome.
For those of you wishing to make a donation to an organization in her name we would suggest, The Islesboro Ambulance Association and Islesboro Sporting Club.
Condolence and memories may be shared at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com. Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Adrienne Arline ("Ajay") Fairfield
May 13th, 1935 - December 28th, 2025
Adrienne Arline ("Ajay") Fairfield, 90 years old, of Islesboro, Maine, and formerly of St. Augustine, Florida, died on December 28, 2025, in Lewiston, Maine. Adrienne moved to Islesboro, Maine, from Florida. When she put her new husband's car in the ditch one snowy night, the islanders dubbed her "Ajay" (after Nascar driver AJ Foyt); it was easier to say.
She was born on May 13, 1935, in St. Louis, Missouri to Mildred B. Gasta and Harold A. Krueger. Although she grew up in St. Louis, she, her sisters and mother relocated to south Florida in the 1950s, which was where she called home.
She wore many employment hats during her lifetime including seamstress, bookkeeper, housekeeper and organist. Her first purchased organ in her 20s came with one free lesson, and from there, she was self taught. She played until a few years before her passing.
She was a member of Eastern Star for short time, and was a great bowler. She was also a competitive roller skater in her early years, and a member of Islesboro Sewing Circle.
But her love was golf. She was an avid golfer, only learning to swing a golf club at age 55. She was interested long before, but was told by her golfer uncle that she "didn't have the right swing." That deterred her for a few years, but then her redheaded stubbornness kicked in and she gave it her all. She belonged to several golf clubs over the years, including Key West and St. Augustine. She even made several holes-in-one.
She was a gifted seamstress. She made most of her girls' clothes when they were little, and even made her daughters' and niece's wedding dresses.
She is predeceased by her first husband, Eurell T. West, of Florida, and her second husband Frank "Fernald" Fairfield, of Islesboro, Maine, who helped finish raising her daughter, Kellie, and whom Ajay loved until he passed; daughter, Vicki L. Humes, of Florida; daughter, Barbara Connor, of California; sisters, Betty L. Ebert and Carol ("Pat") Schrader, nieces, Ladonna Kemp, and Susan Schrader, all of Florida; and nephew Michael Schrader, of Montana.
She is survived by her daughter, Kellie Coombs, of Greene, Maine and formerly of Key West; daughter, Diane Rolerson, of Islesboro, Maine; her niece, Lorena Hutchenson of Thonotosassa, Florida; her granddaughters, Hannah Flanagan, of Topsham, Maine, Adrienne Diaz and Kristin Graves, both of Florida, and Andrea Cross of Knox, Maine; grandsons, Cory Ober of Manchester, Maine, Lee Humes of Oklahoma, Douglas Scott of Florida, and Jonathan Scott of Colorado. She also had several great and great-great grandchildren, as well as great and great great nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to any learn to golf or learn to play an instrument program; the American Cancer Society; or The American Humane Society.
There will be a grave side service at the Upland Island Baptist Church, Islesboro, Maine, where her ashes will rest near her husband, Fernald Fairfield, as well as some scattered in the Florida Keys and on Pebble Beach, in honor of the sport she loved, followed by a Celebration of her Life at the Islesboro Sporting Club.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Reginald Beland
March 9th, 1929 - January 5th, 2026
Reginald Cleophase Beland died peacefully at the Maine Veterans' Home on January 5, 2026. He was born near Thetford Mines, Quebec on March 9, 1929, the second of 11 children born to Antonio and Irene Beland. His family emigrated to Maine when he was still a toddler. His parents raised their family on a dairy farm in Augusta. Reggie served in the U.S. Navy from 1948-1952, and was a combat veteran of the Korean War. In September 1953, he married Fernande Turcotte, of Thetford Mines, Quebec in a double ceremony with her twin sister Rollande and his cousin Fernand Lettre. Reggie enrolled in and graduated from Maine Vocational Technical Institute in South Portland, with a degree in Industrial Electricity. Reggie and Fern returned to Augusta, where they raised their two sons, Kenneth and Michael. He worked as an appliance repairman in Augusta and Farmington for 15 years, followed by 15 years as Central Maine Power local representative on Islesboro (the do everything man). They retired to the Belfast area in1989, but Reggie stayed active with building projects, golf with Fern, and time with their sons' families. Fern died in 2016 after 62 years of marriage. In 2022, Reggie moved to the Maine Veterans Home in Augusta, where he was well cared for until his death at age 96. Reginald is survived by brothers Normand and Romeo Beland; his sons Kenneth and wife Judy Burk, Michael and wife Tracy Goller; three grandsons Luke, Chris, and Jason Beland; and great-granddaughter Phoebe Beland. He was predeceased by his wife Fern; brothers Ronald, Laurent, Armand, and Gerard; and sisters Gisele, Juliette, Aliette, and Lucille.
Reggie is remembered as a devoted husband and father. His siblings knew him as a man who could build or repair almost anything. Over their life together, Reggie and Fern built houses in Augusta, Islesboro, Belmont and Belfast. He passed on these skills to his sons, and learned new skills that matched their individual interests. Ken loved hunting and fishing, so Reggie spent many days afield with him in the woods and waters of Maine. Mike grew up close to the ocean, with an interest in sailing, so Reggie and Mike learned sailing and boat repairs together. Reggie will be interred at the Maine Veterans' Cemetery in Augusta in April, followed by a family memorial gathering at the Maine Veterans' Home. Rest in Peace, Dad.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Riposta Funeral Home - Belfast on Jan. 13, 2026.
William L. Elkins
August 2nd, 1932 - November 11th, 2025
William L. Elkins, pioneering research immunologist at Penn and innovative Chester County cattle rancher, has died at 93
By Gary Miles for The Philadelphia Inquirer
William L. Elkins, 93, of Coatesville, pioneering research immunologist at what is now the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, associate professor emeritus of pathology and laboratory medicine, innovative longtime Angus cattle rancher in Chester County, avid sailor, and veteran, died Tuesday, Nov. 11, of complications from pneumonia at Chester County Hospital.
The great-great-grandson of Philadelphia business tycoon William Lukens Elkins, Dr. Elkins fashioned his own distinguished career as a scientist, medical researcher, and professor at Penn from 1965 to 1985, and owner of the Buck Run Farm cattle ranch in Coatesville for the last 39 years.
At Penn, Dr. Elkins conducted pioneering research on how the human immune system fights infection and disease. He collaborated with colleagues in Philadelphia and elsewhere around the country to provide critical new research regarding bone marrow transplants and pediatric oncology.
His work contributed to new and more effective medical procedures at Penn, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and elsewhere, and he instructed students and residents at Penn. But his lifelong love of the fields and rolling hills he roamed as a boy in Chester County never faded, he told Greet Brandywine Valley magazine in 2023.
“Farming is in my blood,” he said. “So even when I went to medical school and all that, the enthusiasm never left, and I wanted to go back to it.”
So he retired from medicine at 53, and he and his wife, Helen, bought nearly 300 acres of the old King Ranch on Doe Run Church Road in Coatesville. She kept the books and looked after the business. He became an expert on breeding cattle and growing the high-energy grass they eat.
Wearing floppy hats and riding a colorful ATV from field to field, Dr. Elkins worked his land for decades. He mended fences and tended daily to his 120 cows, heifers, and prize bulls.
He championed holistic regenerative farming and used new scientific systems to feed his cattle. He rejected commercial fertilizer and knew all about soil composition, grass growing, and body fat in cattle.
In a 1995 Inquirer story, he said: “Cattle are just like anyone else. If you just turn a few cattle out in a great big field, they will wander around, eat the grass they like best, and leave what they don’t want. That means the less desirable grasses tend to predominate.”
He traveled the country to confer with other cattlemen and helped found the Southeast Regional Cattlemen’s Association in 1994. He sold his beefsteaks, patties, jerky sticks, and kielbasa grillers to private customers online and to butchers and restaurants.
At least one local chef featured an item on the menu called Dr. Elkins’ Angusburger. Lots of folks called him Doc.
He earned his medical degree at Harvard University in 1958 and served two years in the Navy at the hospital in Bethesda, Md. He was a surgical intern in New York and discovered that he preferred the research lab. Before Penn, he worked at the Wistar Institute of biomedical research.
Away from the lab, Dr. Elkins was an ocean sailor, expert navigator, and former boat club commodore. He was active with the Brandywine Conservancy, Natural Lands, and other groups, and was lauded by national organizations for his wide-ranging conservation and wildlife efforts.
He made his farm a haven again for the bobolink grassland songbird and other migratory birds and butterflies that had dwindled. “Buck Run Farm is more about growing grass and trees than beef,” he told Greet Brandywine Valley. “We’re blessed by the land.”
“With beef and eggs, how it’s raised matters.”
Dr. Elkins in 2023
William Lukens Elkins was born Aug. 2, 1932, in Boston. He lived on the family dairy farm in Pocopson, Chester County, when he was young, went to boarding school in Massachusetts for four years, and earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at Princeton University.
He met Helen MacLeod at a party in Washington, and they married in 1966 and had a daughter, Sheila, and a son, Jake. They lived in Center City, Society Hill, and Villanova before moving to the farm. “He was easy to be with,” his wife said.
Dr. Elkins loved nature, fishing, and baseball, and he followed the Phillies, the Flyers, and other sports teams. “He had a wonderful bedside manner,” his daughter said. “He was a great listener. He really knew how to support people.”
His son said: “He was unassuming and direct. He spoke his mind. He connected with so many different people. He was curious about the world around him.”
“I once tried to make a low-fat hamburger for sale. But I decided that, if we want a hamburger, we want one that tastes like a hamburger.”
Dr. Elkins to The Hunt magazine
His wife said: “He was thoughtful and always concerned about people. He had good humor. He was fun.”
In addition to his wife and children, Dr. Elkins is survived by five grandchildren and other relatives. A sister died earlier.
A celebration of his life is to be held later.
Donations is his name may be made to the Stroud Water Research Center, 970 Spencer Rd., Avondale, Pa. 19311.
Barbara B. Wardwell
April 15th, 1927 - August 17th, 2025
Gorham, Maine—Barbara B. Wardwell, beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 17th, 2025, at the age of 98. A longtime resident of Forest Circle in Jay, Maine, Barbara lived a life marked by devotion to family, education, and community.
Born on April 15th, 1927, in East Millinocket, Maine, to the late Lala Glidden and Stephen Bacon, Barbara grew up alongside two sisters. After losing her father at a young age, she found strength and joy in her extended family, spending her years in northern Maine, attending Sunday School, and excelling in academics and school activities.
During high school Barbara worked summers as a chambermaid in Bar Harbor, and she later attended Gorham State Teachers College. While in college, she worked at the Islesboro Inn, where she met J. Edward Wardwell of Islesboro. They married in 1948, raised two sons in Pittsfield, Maine and moved to Jay, Maine in 1974.
Barbara dedicated her career to teaching in schools across Maine, always referring to her students as “her kids.” Her true passion, however, was nurturing her own family. She created a warm and loving home and spent countless summers on Islesboro enjoying cookouts on the town beach, sharing stories on the front porch, and building lifelong friendships. Barbara was known by her family and friends to have an optimistic outlook on life, a quick wit, and a wonderful sense of humor that filled any room with laughter. She also carried a deep appreciation for the simple joys of life, finding happiness in everyday moments and sharing that joy with those around her.
In retirement, Barbara continued her tradition of summering in Islesboro. She crafted memorable meals, welcomed new friends, and introduced her grandchildren to the magic of island life. After Ed’s passing, she remained a steady presence in her grandchildren’s lives, offering love, wisdom, and family history with remarkable clarity. Barbara’s legacy lives on in the stories she shared, the values she instilled, and the bonds she nurtured. Her memory will be cherished by all those who knew her.
Barbara is predeceased by her husband J. Edward Wardwell of Islesboro, Maine who passed away in 1998, and by her sister Gloria Morneault of Millinocket, Maine who passed away in 2009. Barbara is survived by her sister June Michaud of East Millinocket, Maine; her children Gary of Gorham, Maine and David with wife Diane of Hooksett, NH; her grandchildren Elizabeth with fiancée Ryan of Boston, MA, and Alexandra with partner Alex of Weare, NH.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara’s honor to Boardman Cottage, 131 Main Road, Islesboro, ME 04848.
A graveside service will be held on Islesboro at the Maple Grove cemetery on Saturday October 11th, 2025, at 2:00pm.
Edward G. D'Alessandro Sr., Esq.
1930 - July 13th, 2025
Edward G. D’Alessandro Sr., Esq., a towering figure in New Jersey legal circles and a man whose zest for life touched his family and friends, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, July 13th, 2025 at age 95. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 54 years, Joan E. D’Alessandro, and is survived by his children Donna D’Alessandro, Jan D’Alessandro Haffenreffer, Edward G. D’Alessandro, Jr. and Jill D’Alessandro, son-in-law Mark Haffenreffer, grandchildren Francesca D’Alessandro Wadsworth and Sam E.C. Wadsworth, and granddaughter-in-law Hope Elizabeth Wadsworth.
A son of Newark who never forgot his roots, Edward spent his later years as a cherished resident of Green Village, N.J., and Islesboro, where his iconoclastic ways and immense generosity became legendary among neighbors and friends.
A Legal Giant with Heart
Ed’s distinguished legal career spanned over six decades and was marked not only by professional achievement but by an unwavering commitment to justice and public service. After graduating from Rutgers University and Boston University Law School, he was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1954—the beginning of a career that would see him argue cases from local courtrooms to the U.S. Supreme Court.
His service as assistant prosecutor in Essex County from 1957-1959 was merely the start of a remarkable journey through the corridors of power and justice. As an active trial lawyer in state and federal courts, Edward became known for his sharp wit, commanding presence, and ability to find the human story in every case.
Ed had over 30 published cases on the appellate level, most of which he won, changing New Jersey Law for the benefit of his clients and altering the legal landscape in New Jersey and nationally. Most significantly, Ed is recognized as one of the preeminent alcoholic beverage attorneys in the country for winning a series of decisions that redefined the nature of alcoholic beverage wholesaler and supplier franchise rights on behalf of his clients. Ed represented a who’s who of the leading alcoholic beverage companies, including Allied Beverage Group, F&A Distributing Co., Jaydor Corp., Reittman Industries, Royal Distributors & Importers, Breakthru Beverage, High Grade and Peerless Beverage companies. Ed left his mark on the industry as he battled on behalf of his beverage clients with the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, with which he developed a special relationship of mutual respect. He served on the Special Advisory Council on the Future of New Jersey, and was a member of countless prestigious organizations including the American, New Jersey, Essex, and Morris County Bar Associations, the American Trial Lawyers Association, and the National Association of Defense Lawyers in Criminal Cases.
Ed’s counsel was sought by everyone from the Newark PBA to the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, the Essex County Republican organization, the Essex County Osteopath Society, the Morristown Housing Authority to multiple industry trade associations, including Credit Compliance Corporation, Beer Wholesalers Association of NJ, and N.J. Wine & Spirits Association. His legal expertise extended to representing leading corporations across all industries, including banks and brokerage firms, such as Purcell Graham and Carteret Savings, dozens of insurance companies, including Chubb & Sons, Reliance, Crum & Forster, and Gulf Insurance, and countless closely-held entities. A real-life Atticus Finch, he represented his corporate and individual clients with the same passion and dedication that he brought to every aspect of his life.
A Life of Service and Passion
Beyond the courtroom, Ed poured his energy into his family and to the causes close to his heart. As a director of the Newark Boys Club and the Newark Police Athletic League, he championed opportunities for young people. His service as a trustee of West Essex General Hospital and Christ the King Church, and his support of the New Jersey Symphony Foundation, Garden State Ballet Foundation, and The National Italian American Foundation reflected his beliefs in the power of healing and in the arts.
But it was perhaps Ed’s infectious love of all of the best things in life that people remember the most. He was an avid jazz and opera fan, who joined the Metropolitan Opera Club in 1971 and exposed his young children to both genres, fostering a lifelong love of music. Family and friends fondly recall Ed sharing stories of seeing Frank Sinatra and the jazz greats, including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Domino, and Thelonius Monk, play in iconic NY venues while his favorite tunes played in the background. Ed was a dedicated NY Giants fan and season ticket holder since 1954 with a near-unblemished attendance record well into his 80s. Ed loved being on the water—he was happiest while navigating the waters of the Caribbean or the rugged coast of Maine, where he felt most at peace. He was a member of the Chaine des Rotisseurs, the world’s oldest international gastronomic society, and was devoted to preserving the camaraderie and pleasures of the table, both of which were among his greatest loves. His children “fondly” remember the military-like precision with which he would plan their holiday meals, sending them to specialty markets hours away from each other to pick up his favorite breads, antipasti, and desserts, all required to concoct the perfect meal. He was also a member of the Tarratine Club, the Metropolitan Club in NY, and the Morris County Golf Club in NJ.
Ed was a loyal friend and confidante who had the unique propensity of giving his full attention and sage advice to each person he was with. His warmth, generosity, and uncanny ability to remember every detail about the lives of those he cared about made him a cherished patriarch not just to his family, but to the extended network of clients and friends from all walks of life who considered him family.
Services
Family and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass on Saturday, July 26th at 10:30am at Christ the King Church in New Vernon, N.J, 16 Blue Mill Rd, New Vernon, with burial to follow at New Vernon Cemetery. Interment will follow at New Vernon Cemetery. Hours of visitation will be held at the Doyle Funeral Home, 106 Maple Ave., Morristown on Friday, July 25th from 4-7pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to the Green Village Fire Department, the New Vernon Volunteer First Aid Squad, the Islesboro Ambulance Association, or to your favorite charity, in Ed’s name—a fitting tribute to a man who believed deeply in giving back to the community.
Edward G. D’Alessandro Sr., Esq. lived 95 years to the fullest, and his legacy of service, friendship, and joie de vivre will continue to inspire all those who were lucky enough to know him.
Michael Kinnane
1933 - July 20th, 2025
Michael Kinnane died at home on Islesboro on July 20th at the age of ninety-one. He was born in Fall River, Massachusetts to Michael and Virginia Kinnane in 1933. He was an only child.
While serving in the Air Force in 1954, the USAF C-119 Flying Boxcar Michael was riding in experienced severe
turbulence near New Hope, Alabama. The rear doors of the plane were torn open, and Michael was sucked out along with one other serviceman. Luckily, both men were wearing parachutes and were able to land safely. The plane erupted in flames and crashed into a mountain, killing all nine men aboard. Michael and the other man were the only survivors.
After serving in the Air Force during the Korean War, Mike had a long and varied career. He was a commercial pilot and gave flight instruction. He owned a welding company, whose many jobs included servicing offshore oil rigs and constructing oil pipelines. He was a skilled carpenter and a licensed pipefitter.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Schnur, and by his sons William, of Warren, Maine and Michael, of Providence, Rhode Island, and his daughter, Sheila, of Warwick, Rhode Island, and by three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. His sons Tim and Todd predeceased him.
Donations may be made in his name to the Islesboro Health Center Endowment Fund.
Thomas D. Gill, Jr
1943 - June 9th, 2025
Thomas D. Gill, Jr., of West Palm Beach, Florida, beloved husband of Joanne (Jody) S. Gill, passed away on June 9th, 2025. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, he was the son of the late Judge Thomas D. Gill and Marie T. Gill. Tom was raised in West Hartford and graduated from Kingswood Academy before earning his undergraduate degree from Yale University.
After college, Tom served four years in the United States Navy, volunteering as a swift boat commander on the Mekong River in Vietnam during his final year. Upon returning to the United States, he attended Columbia Law School, then clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He began his legal career with Day, Berry & Howard in Hartford and, in 1982, moved to Boston to open a new office for the firm, where he became managing partner and remained until his retirement.
Throughout his life, Tom was deeply committed to civic and cultural organizations. In Hartford, he served on the boards of the Hartford and Connecticut Architectural Conservancies and as president of the Hartford YMCA. In Boston, he served as a director of the Boston Lyric Opera and Beacon Hill Seminars, and as a trustee of the Boston Athenaeum. He was also a trustee of the Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach, Florida.
An avid sailor, Tom, alongside his wife Jody, cruised and raced across the globe, crossing both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Of all his sailing adventures, he most cherished his time in the waters off Maine near the family’s beloved vacation home on Islesboro.
Tom is survived by his wife, Jody; three stepsons, Peter C. Forkner, Adam H. Forkner, and Benjamin S. Forkner; and three sisters, Kathleen G. Miller, Barbara E. Gill, and Margaret A. Gill.
Timothy Perot Greer
April 16th, 1957 - July 2nd, 2025
Timothy Perot Greer, age 68, of New Canaan, CT passed away peacefully on July 2nd, 2025, in Islesboro, ME, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was born on April 16th, 1957, in Seattle, WA to Dr. Alexander and Dorothy Greer.
Tim grew up in Spokane, WA where he attended Saint George’s School. His winters consisted of competitive ski racing around the Pacific Northwest, most notably in Sun Valley, ID. Tim graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from Yale University in 1979 and a Master’s Degree in Architecture from Harvard University Graduate School of Design in 1982, where he was a recipient of The Graham Foundation Scholarship Thesis Award. Tim’s early architectural career included roles at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Gwathmey Siegel, Philip Johnson / John Burgee, and Butler Rogers Basket in New York City, as well as Roger Ferris & Partners in Westport, CT before Tim founded his own firm, T.P. Greer Architects, in New York, NY and New Canaan, CT in 2010.
Tim had a tremendous passion for his work and always said that he never wanted to retire because he truly loved what he did. His projects spanned both
residential and commercial designs in the New York City area, and also included homes, offices, apartments, hotels, and retail stores around the world. Tim donated his architectural services to the clubs he loved, including the Country Club of New Canaan and the Union Club of New York, as well as Christ Church of Dark Harbor, ME.
Tim’s artistic talents also extended to painting. He took great joy in creating (and occasionally selling) beautiful abstract watercolors, particularly on weekend afternoons with his daughter. Tim’s watercolors regularly decorated the walls of his architectural projects over the years.
Outside of architectural and artistic pursuits, Tim was a consummate athlete. He grew up playing squash in Spokane, WA on the court that his father had built on their property. At Yale, Tim played on the varsity squash team. While in college, he ran the New York marathon twice and the Boston marathon (finishing in under 3 hours). In his 20s, Tim summitted all five glaciated peaks in Washington state (most often with his father or brother). Throughout his life, Tim won many different squash tournaments, both singles and doubles, at the Union Club of New York and the Country Club of New Canaan. He frequently played alongside his sons, his brother, or his nephew. Tim was also an avid cyclist and skier, skiing all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
In everything that he did, Tim had a cheerful spirit. He had a playful sense of humor, especially with his three children. They will miss his nicknames, his catchphrases, his terrible accents, his “dad-jokes,” and most of all his unwavering sense of optimism and support for their endeavors.
Tim is survived by his mother, Dorothy Greer of Spokane, WA, his wife, Caroline Gillespie Greer of New Canaan, CT and Islesboro, ME, his previous wife, Kathryn “Kim” Matthews of New Canaan, CT and their children, William, Henry, and Anne Greer of New York, NY, his brother, Dr. William (Tracy) Greer of Berwyn, PA, and their children, Logan (Oliver) Embry and Alexander (Meshal) Greer of New York, NY, and his sister, Elizabeth Greer and her children, Robson, Mathew (Monika) and Kate Edwards of Sun Valley, ID. Tim was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Alexander Greer.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 18th, 2025, at 2:00pm at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in New Canaan, CT, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN).
Tim will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
To plant trees in his memory, please visit the Sympathy Store: https://sympathy.legacy.com/en-us/funeral-flowers/productdetails/?type=obituary&p=209372161&pn=timothy-greer&affiliateId=4228&sku=tre-tim&pm=240
David Yeaton Randlett
1933 - July 20th, 2025
David Yeaton Randlett, 81, passed away on November 9th, 2024 at Morton Hospital, in Clearwater, Fla., of a heart attack and kidney failure. Born in Camden in March of 1944, David was the second son of Rawson and Enid Randlett. He is survived by his wife, Toni, and 4 children: Rawson and his wife Robin Randlett, David Jr. and his wife Jerri Randlett, Scott Derome and his wife Monica, and Brian Derome. David has grandchildren: twins Ross and Chaplin, granddaughter, Emerson, Jack and Katie Randlett, and Emerson and Al Derome, as well as several nieces and nephews. He is survived by his older brother Bradford and wife Jan, his only sister Janet and her husband Pete Anderson, of Islesboro, and he is predeceased by his younger brother Warren.
David grew up on Islesboro and graduated from Islesboro Central School. He played the saxophone, performing at school. He was creative, and from a young age he busied himself by starting a number of businesses. As a teenager he worked with his father, who had a painting business on the island. David eventually left Islesboro to pursue work in Boston. There, he founded a commercial painting company. He later moved to Tewksbury, Mass. In the years following, he started a business removing junk cars from the island. Many people recall his ambitious efforts to run the work from Islesboro to Massachusetts. After a few busy years, he opted to relocate to Florida after a friend told him about the busy work environment there. He moved to St Petersburg, Fla. in 1979 and founded a construction company named Penobscot Building and Remodeling, as well as a real estate rental business. He maintained contact with several friends from Islesboro: Captain David Speed, Everade Dodge, Dale Hatch, and Don Durkee, among others. David had a wonderful personality and made people feel at ease. They enjoyed his comic stories. He had genuine interest in the welfare of his family and friends, and he was a devoted and loving husband and father.
He is missed very much by all of us.
David’s remains will be buried at the Maple Grove cemetery on Islesboro at a later time. Advance notice will be given for a celebration of his life, to be arranged on Islesboro.