Passages: July 8, 2023

Compiled by Rev. Sue Murphy

William “Ferg” L. Ferguson, 75, of Springvale, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 23, 2023, after a short illness at Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford. He was born on June 13,1948, in Madison, Maine, to Stanley and Ethlyn (Fletcher) Ferguson. Ferg attended local schools and graduated from Madison High School before earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine. During the Vietnam Conflict, Ferg served his country in the U.S. Army as an office clerk in Germany. Upon his return, he embarked on a remarkable career as an Honors English teacher at Sanford High School, where he became a beloved figure and respected colleague for 37 years.

Ferg possessed a unique ability to captivate his students by incorporating his personal travels and military experiences into his teaching. His stories and anecdotes fostered a genuine interest in learning, and his students greatly benefited from his passion for education. Ferg often recounted his memorable journey to Alaska with three friends, fondly referred to as “The Trip,” bringing his adventures to life in the classroom.

During the summers he enjoyed lifeguarding at Wells beach. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and lived for his trips “up north” with friends. He loved nature, feeding birds, and hearing them sing. He enjoyed gardening and sharing his bountiful asparagus and garlic. He loved all music, singing, dancing and was a champion pool player. Ferg was a legend and will live on in many hearts.

He is predeceased by his parents. Survivors include his loving wife of 42 years, Laurie Ferguson of Springvale, sister-in-law Susan Jackson and her life partner Billy Beaudoin, brothers in law Steven and Carl Leach, both of Springvale, four nephews, Eric Jackson of Sanford, Todd Jackson and his wife Odette of FL, Jacob Elliot and Cory Leach of Springvale and four great nieces, Bella and Eden Jackson and Victoria and Audrina Elliott.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the fall, his favorite time of year, at his and Laurie’s home in Springvale. If you’d like to make a small donation to Grammy Rose Dog Rescue and Sanctuary at https://grammyrose.org/donate  he would have loved that. Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale. To leave a message of condolence click on Ferg’s Remember page at https://blackfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Ferguson.

---

Rejeanne M. Merrow 91, of Sanford, died on Saturday June 24, 2023 in Sanford. She was born in Springvale May 20, 1932, the daughter of Alfred and Annie (Tardiff) Gagnon. She grew up in Springvale and attended Notre Dame Church before it closed. She was married to William C. Merrow II in 1954. He passed away in 1997.

Rejeanne enjoyed all types of needle crafts, including knitting and crocheting and just enjoyed being at home with her family. In addition to her husband, Rejeanne was predeceased by her son, Billy Merrow in 1962 and siblings, Rusty and Buster Gagnon and Joanne Soule.

She is survived by her son, Steven Merrow and his wife Anita; daughters, Christine Letourneau and Pamela Knox as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church on Friday July 7th at 11:00 am with interment at Notre Dame Cemetery.  https://blackfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Merrow 

---

Joel Arthur Plourde died, just two weeks short of his 82nd birthday on June 28, 2023. Arthur and his wife Marsha Elizabeth (Wilson) Plourde recently celebrated their 56th anniversary.

He is survived by his two daughters, Cathy Marie Plourde of Rhode Island and Jeanette Ann Plourde of Portland, son-in-law Jeffrey Leichman, and his one beloved granddaughter, Fitsum Ella. Born in Fort Kent (July 13, 1941) to French-Acadians Arthur Joseph Plourde and Delia (Dubois) Plourde, both deceased. He is survived by two of his brothers and their spouses, David T. Plourde and Rebecca Johnson (Concord, NH), and Philip and Debra Plourde (Clifton Park, NY), as well as one of four sisters and her spouse, Wanita and Don Cyr (Millinocket).

He is pre-deceased by sisters Gilda LaPointe, Mina Boilard, and Joan Banville, and two siblings who died as infants, Helen and Harold. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. 

After a successful career in labor relations, Arthur and his family moved back to Maine and, with his wife Marsha, ran a hardware store in Springvale for 6 years. He returned to human resources work for a while and then he returned to Maine retiring at 70. He was very involved in the community serving fourteen years on the Sanford-Springvale Zoning Board of Appeals and ten years volunteering with Senior Food Distribution at the Crossroads United Methodist Church in Sanford. He was an active member of the Catholic church and was especially grateful for the spiritual community of the Brothers of Christian Instruction in Alfred, Maine.

He found great meaning in serving alongside Brothers as a volunteer in ministry within the York County Jail. Mr. Plourde had a life-long love of the mountains and was a proud member of the 4000-Footer Club of the White Mountains Appalachian Mountain Club. Beginning in his 50’s and continuing through his 70’s, when he was not consulting or volunteering, he could be found hiking steep trails to summits, looking out over majestic views, and naming the distant peaks in all directions. He could recall details of so many of his hikes, what he saw, near misses, and hiking companions.

The last new friend he made was a volunteer for Hospice of Southern Maine, who coincidentally is also an avid hiker, giving Arthur great joy while reminiscing. His last mountain ascent was the week prior to his death, when daughter, Jeanette, and son-in-law, Jeffrey, brought him to the summit of Mt. Washington on the Cog Railway. A mass was held at the Brothers of Christian Instruction Chapel in Alfred, Friday July 7th at 11 AM and was followed by interment at Pine Grove Cemetery South. Bibber Autumn Green provided services.