Passages

Compiled by the Rev. Susan Murphy

Gordon T. Adams, 94, of Springvale passed away peacefully on July 9, 2024.  He was born June 1, 1930, in Berlin, NH, the son of George W. Sr. and Florida (Currier) Adams. Born and raised in Berlin, he then served in the U.S. Army.  Gordon worked at Converse as well as in maintenance for the NH Vocational Technical College in Berlin. He and his wife, Madeleine, moved to Springvale in 2012 to be closer to family. He enjoyed being so close to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Gordon loved hunting and fishing. Not only was he a wonderful storyteller, but he was also a great listener and teacher.  He especially loved hearing of his son and great-granddaughter’s cross-country hiking trips and other travel stories from his friends and family. Gordon was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Madeleine (Gingras), in 2015. He was also predeceased by his parents, his sister Dorothy (Oleson) Roberge, his brother Edward (aka Chick) Oleson, and his twin brother George Adams Jr. Surviving is his son, Thomas (Patricia) Adams of Springvale, his daughter Pamela Adams and her partner Andrew Najberg of Weare, NH; three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, several nieces and a nephew, and his best friend, Donald Couture. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 24, at 11 am at St. Anne’s Church/Good Shepherd Parish, 345 Pleasant St., Berlin, NH. Interment will follow at St. Anne’s Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to the Johnson Funeral Home in North Berwick.

Jeannette L. Fletcher, 90, of Springvale, died peacefully at her home on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. She was born in Sanford on Nov. 18, 1933, the daughter of Camille and Irene (Fields) Manseau. She grew up in Sanford and graduated from Sanford High School. She married Clifford Fletcher in September of her graduation year and they moved to Norfolk, VA, where he was stationed in the Navy. She and Cliff moved back to Maine when their daughter Linda was born, and she lived in both Sanford and Springvale. Jeannette worked at several jobs over the years and retired from the Belt factory in 1995. When she wasn’t working, Jeannette enjoyed boating, snowmobiling, motorcycling and camping with Cliff and Linda. In retirement, she and Cliff traveled extensively. Cliff died in February after he and Jeannette celebrated 71 years of marriage. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Fletcher and her partner, Debra Waters; her friend, Nancy Wentworth and her nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Friday, Aug. 2 at noon.

https://blackfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Jeannette-Fletcher.

Theodore L. Hargrove (Ted), of Sanford, formerly of New London, CT, and Worcester, MA, passed away on July 17, 2024, after a brief illness. Ted was born in 1932 and raised in Worcester, MA, attending South High, where he exceled in baseball and fell in love with, and soon thereafter married, his high school sweetheart Barbara. Together they would raise six children. After graduating from UMass, he served in the Army’s 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and later as a captain in the Army Reserves until 1961. He began his career at Mitchell College in New London, CT, where he wore numerous hats and served multiple generations of students. Ted loved baseball and the Boston Red Sox. He volunteered for many organizations over the years but was most proud of his 55 years in the Kiwanis Club. After moving to Maine, he joined the York County Senior College, where he took on many roles, including teaching courses on baseball and biographical studies. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Barbara P. O’Brien Hargrove, and by a son, Craig, sister Patricia A. (Hargrove) Silkman, daughter Mary Jane (Hargrove) Poirier and son Charles H. Hargrove. Ted leaves behind two daughters, Tracy J. Hargrove of Sanford and Samantha J. Hargrove of Portland, OR, and two sons, Christian P. Hargrove of South Hamilton, MA, and Jonathan L. Hargrove of Plano, Texas, 10 grandchildren and a large extended family. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 29, at 11 am at Black Funeral Home in Springvale. There are no calling hours.

https://blackfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/theodore-hargrove

Janet Smith, 83, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at Pinnacle Health and Rehabilitation Center in North Berwick. She was born on Aug. 2, 1940, in Sanford to Herman and Bea (Williams) Ackroyd. A proud graduate of Sanford High, she would help plan reunions for her class. She married David Smith in 1959, and they shared 65 wonderful years of marriage and raised their children Craig and Susan in Shapleigh. She spent many years at the Oldtimer’s Shop in Sanford. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Janet was predeceased by her parents and her son, Craig Smith. She is survived by her husband, David Smith, her daughter, Susan Smith of Shapleigh; her granddaughter, Megan (Ben) Allen and great-granddaughter Ava, all of Sanford and her sister Elaine (Peter) Duquette. At Janet’s request, arrangements will be private.

https://blackfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/janet-smith-jul-2024

Yvette St. Pierre, 89, passed away on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at Durgin Pines in Kittery after a long illness. Yvette was born Jan. 8, 1935, the daughter of Norbert and Blandine Vachon of Canada. She came to Sanford at a young age with her two sisters and was raised by her uncle and aunt, Joseph and Josephine Papas. She married Robert M. St. Pierre in 1954, her husband and best friend for over 63 years. She loved walking, exercising, reading, family outings, and socializing. She will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, and she will be dearly missed. Surviving are her three daughters, Betty Ann (Charles) Borchardt, Diane St. Pierre and Doris (Ken) Samuelson; two grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. A Celebration of Life was held on July 24 at Bibber Memorial at Autumn Green, 47 Oak St., Alfred, followed by a committal service at St. Ignatius Cemetery.
https://memorials.bibbersautumngreen.com/yvette-st-pierre/5461156/index.php

Tavayne Enley Weir and D’andre Morris Graham, stepbrothers who died together in a tragic drowning accident on July 8, 2024, in Springvale, were remembered in a service at Carll-Heald and Black funeral home on Saturday, July 19, and were buried at the Oakdale Cemetery in Sanford.

Tavayne was born on March 15, 2007, at Port Antonio Hospital in the parish of Portland, Jamaica, to KerryAnn Johnson and Enley Weir. From an early age, Tavayne’s light shone brightly, and his journey through education was marked by dedication and enthusiasm. Tavayne received a certificate for completing one year of the JMG program at Sanford High School and was to enter 12th grade this fall. An avid sports enthusiast, he was passionate about basketball and cycling and loved video gaming. He was always a helper, willing to do and help anyone in need, leaving a lasting impression with his remarkable skills and infectious joy. His unwavering determination and compassion touched the lives of all who knew him. Tavayne’s deep admiration for his stepfather drove him to pursue a career as a mechanic and a truck driver. Tavayne’s kindness and positivity undoubtedly left an indelible mark on everyone he encountered, and his spirit lives on through the cherished memories we hold dear.

D’andre Morris Graham was born on Dec. 26, 2007, at Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, to Karette Jones-Graham and Morris Graham. He was a gentle soul whose presence brought tranquility and love into the lives of those around him. His journey through education started at the age of 2. He completed high school this year at the St. Elizabeth Technical School in Jamaica and wanted to continue his education to become a mechanical engineer. D’andre’s passion for video games and cars reflected his immense enthusiasm for life. His gentle nature, kindness, and quiet strength left an unforgettable mark on those around him. He never wanted to inconvenience anyone, no matter how much help he needed. D’Andre was the type of person who would do all he could for you and give you the last of anything he may have had to make sure the people around him were happy and safe.

Both boys will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing them. They leave behind their parents, grandparents, brothers and sister, aunts, uncles and many cousins. May their souls find eternal peace, and may their memories be a blessing to us all. The family would like to thank all that have helped whether it be through monetary donations, the sending of flowers, well wishes and prayers. They could not have put these beautiful souls to rest without all your help.

https://blackfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/tavayne-weir

https://blackfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/diandre-graham