Day, Lawrence A., 80, November 17, 2014. Interment was held in the Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. Arrangements by Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, Fort Fairfield.
FORT FAIRFIELD – Lawrence Archie Day, 80, died peacefully at his home November 17, 2014, after a 20-plus year battle with multiple sclerosis. The son of Archie and Alda (Brown) Day, Larry or “Pete”, as he was known by his friends in Westfield and Presque Isle, was born February 11, 1934, at his parents’ potato farm in Westfield.
He attended schools in Westfield and Presque Isle and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maine at Orono. He married Mary Cecilia Rogers in Fort Fairfield on October 25, 1956. After a six-year stint in Hartford, Connecticut, where he was employed by Hamilton Standard on the engineering team that designed the heating/cooling systems of the astronaut space suits, Larry and Mary came home to Maine in 1962 and he began a 30-year career at Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, designing/ maintaining the heating and cooling systems for the Loring Hospital, the Officer’s Club, and the NCO Club. Larry retired in 1994 as the Chief of Engineers before the closing of Loring Air Force Base.
Larry and Mary lived in Fort Fairfield and raised their three daughters, supporting their church, school, and sporting events. Larry was a member and past Worshipful Master of the Eastern Frontier Masonic Lodge # 112 AF & AM in Fort Fairfield, was currently affiliated with the Trinity Masonic Lodge # 130, Presque Isle, the Anah Temple Shrine Valley of Bangor, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge of Presque Isle. He was an avid outdoorsman: golfing at AVCC, camping with family and friends, canoeing on the Allagash River, ski-doing in the winter and hunting each fall. Even though he was a successful deer hunter only once, Larry truly enjoyed walking in the woods and having a good time with friends at camp in “Burntland”.
Larry was predeceased by his parents; his wife Mary on March 27, 1988; his sister, Opal (Day) O’Connor; and his brother, Ted Merritt. Larry is survived by three daughters, Annette and her husband, Michael Labbe, of Saint Agatha, Duska Day of Fort Fairfield and life friend, Julie Cyr, of New Sweden, Diane Day and life partner, Susan Jasper, both of Litchfield; and his former wife, Teresa Thibodeau of Presque Isle. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Haley (Labbe) Brown and her husband, Timothy, of Livermore, Christopher Labbe of Bath, and Kerry Hafford of Bangor; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Friends called Friday November 21, 2014 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main Street, Fort Fairfield, where an evening memorial service was conducted at 8 p.m. by the officers of the Trinity Masonic Lodge # 130 AF & AM, Presque Isle. The funeral service was held Saturday November 22, 2014 at 2 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Mary Miller officiating. Interment took place at Riverside Cemetery in Fort Fairfield immediately following the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 74 Gray Road, Falmouth, Maine 04105, 1-800-526-8890, or to a charity of one’s choice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.gibersondorseyfuneral home.com.
