PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Eugene Earl Sawyer, 92, passed away Sunday morning, October 22, 2017, in Hammond, where he resided with his niece, Alice Luhrs and her husband, Robert. He was born June 16, 1925 in Linneus, the son of Guy and Olive (Murchie) Sawyer.
Gene enlisted in the US Army during WWII and reenlisted for duty in the Korean Conflict with his best friend, Rex Nason, who lost his life during the May Massacre. Gene earned many honors and medals for his service including The Purple Heart and the French Legion of Honor Medal from the French government. He was a member of the VFW, The Elks Club, The Purple Heart Society, and the American Legion. He worked as a foreman for State of Maine Department of Transportation and retired in 1977.
He was predeceased by his wife, Eula (McPherson) Nightingale Sawyer in 2005, four brothers, and three sisters, and a step son Dickie Nightingale. He is survived by his step children, Edwin Nightingale and his wife, Jean, David Nightingale, Barbara Rose, and daughter-in-law, Sharon Nightingale, Vicki Jackson and her husband, Bob, and Charles Swett, 12 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren. He will be missed by numerous nieces and nephews, his good friends, George Jackson Jr., and Gloria Grant, his cousin, Catherine McGinnis and her husband, Dean, his friends at JP Cash Market. The family would like to thank Dr. Jiansakul, the Visiting Nurses of Aroostook, Home Care of Maine, his nurse Jane Moody, and his home health aide, Kim for all the care and support.
A graveside service with military honors will be held 1 p.m. Friday, October 27, 2017, at Maine Veterans Cemetery, Caribou. Donations may be made in his memory to the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery, 37 Lombard Rd., Caribou, ME 04736. Online condolences may be shared at www.duncan-graves.com
