PRESQUE ISLE and CARIBOU, Maine — Lee W. Somers, 88, passed on to a painless, joyful eternal life March 26, 2017, in Westfield. He was born in Caribou, May 23, 1928, the son of the late Arthur and Novella (Smith) Somers.
He attended the Caribou Schools, was a longtime member of the Caribou United Baptist Church and was also a member and past Grand Noble of the International Order of Odd Fellows. Lee farmed with his father until 1949. He married Ellouise Bean in 1947, and in 1949, they purchased a farm on the Grimes Rd in Caribou, where they farmed until arthritis made farming very difficult for him. Lee was one of the first farmers in Aroostook to purchase a Lockwood Harvester. In 1971 he and his son John purchased Presque Isle Memorial Works. Lee became an accomplished sand blaster and John would work on the monument foundations and setting. They moved the business from State Street to Main Street and at the end of 2010 the sold the buildings and retired. Lee loved buying and selling antiques, old tools and machinery. He was very clever at repairing clocks and machines. He enjoyed camping and talking with old friends. If he made a deal, he expected them to come pay, without having to go collect, but of course many times these deals never would be paid back. He was an “early to bed, early to rise” person. If he had company, he would say his goodnights and head to bed at his regular time, but then would expect his company to get up when he did. He was a hard worker and expected the same from family and others as well.
Surviving in addition to his wife of nearly 70 years, Ellouise, of Presque Isle, are his three children, Nevella Alexander and husband, Timothy of Tyler, TX., John Somers of Caribou, and Kathy Folster and husband, Timothy of Old Town; three grandchildren, Steven Dangler, Rodney and Tammy Dangler, Amber and Erik Bergeron; and great grandchildren, Chad, Tayler, Samantha, Scarlet , Brady and Jakob; two sisters, Marilyn Mirus of Florida, and Natalie Undercoffler and husband, Michael of New Hampshire; a brother, Galen Somers of Caribou; many nieces and nephews. Mr. Somers was predeceased by a sister, Beryl and husband, Dale Hale; a brother, Harold; as well as many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
Graveside services will be held in the spring at the Fairmont Cemetery, Presque Isle at a date and time to be announced by the Mockler Funeral Home, Caribou. The family would like to extend special thanks to family and church friends and especially to the staff at Southern Acres for the fine care and compassion shown to Lee and the family. Also special thanks to Norma and all the girls, the cooks, Mark and also the help his roommate Tim Lavway gave to him as well. He made many friends with the staff and residents there. Also special thanks to Hospice of Aroostook.
Friends who wish to contribute in memory of Mr. Somers may do so through the Caribou United Baptist Church Kids to Camp fund or the Southern Acres remodeling fund PO Box 95 Westfield Maine 04787. www.mocklerfuneralhome.com.
