Smith, Ernest (Bud), 83, September 28, 2013. Arrangements by Mockler Funeral Home, Caribou.
MADAWASKA LAKE – On Saturday, September 28, 2013, Bud died peacefully in Presque Isle after a lingering illness. He was born Nov. 3, 1929, in Caribou, the son of the late Chester and Anne (Tornquist) Smith.
Bud is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joanne (Johnson) and their four children; Cindy Powers and husband Don of Madawaska Lake, David Smith and companion Donna Staples of Manchester, Steven Smith and wife Gale of Turner, and Bethany Woodcock and husband Robert of Paradise, PA; eight grandchildren, Eric, Laurie, Kathryn, James, Jill, Andrew, Stephen and Micah; seven great-grandchildren, a special brother-in law, Norman Johnson and his wife Margaret, of Presque Isle, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, James and Frederick Smith; his sister, Betty Jean Doyle; nephew, Edward Doyle; and sister-in-law, Gloria Bouchard.
Bud graduated from Caribou High School in 1947 and attended MCI and UMO before returning to Caribou to become the fourth generation to run the family farm on the Sweden Road. He retired from farming and moved to the camp at Madawaska Lake in 1987. He also worked for Aroostook Federation of Farmers and WAGM TV, and transported children from the lake to the Stockholm school for 17 years. He was a life member of Gray Memorial Methodist Church, Past Master of Caribou Lodge #170 A.F.&A.M was a member of the Garfield Chapter R.A.M., a Noble of the Anah Temple Shrine, North Star Chapter DeMolay Dad Advisor for 20 years and the coach of nine Maine State Champion and four New England Champion DeMolay basketball teams. He was a charter member of IAABO # 170, refereeing high school and college basketball for 12 years. He was a past chairman of the Caribou Board of Education, a charter member and past president of Sportsman’s Incorporated, a member of the Caribou Volunteer Fire Department, and had received the Boy Scouts of America Order of the Arrow. Among Bud’s favorite pastimes were sports, especially the Boston Red Sox, hunting and fishing at Norm’s camp at Oxbow, Scrabble, bridge, square dancing, camping, spending time with his family, and he was anxiously awaiting the arrival of their eighth great-grandchild.
He was grateful to the Visiting Nurses of Aroostook Hospice, especially Rev. George McLaughlin and the special care of the nurses at Presque Isle Rehab and Nursing.
There will be no calling hours because in Bud’s words, “A celebration of my life took place with family and friends on my 80th birthday and I was there!” Private family services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Aroostook House of Comfort, P.O. Box 867, Presque Isle, Maine 04769, or the Shriner Hospital, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. Arrangements by the Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir Street, Caribou. www.mocklerfuneralhome .com.
