ASHLAND, Maine – Larry E. Hall, 75, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 23, 2018, following a brief illness, with his loving family at his side. He was born on March 11, 1943, in New Sweden, a son of Hazel (Carlson) Hall and the late Harvey Hall.
After graduating from Houlton High School, Larry served honorably with the US Army during the Vietnam War, and continued to support the troops through many various musical events. He has worked with KMH Music Shop, Presque Isle, as an instrument repair tech for many years. Previously, he was a salesman with Northern Kingdom Music. He began teaching music in 1962 at the age of 19 years old, earning a position with Ashland Schools. He ingrained the love of music to hundreds of students over his many years through his enthusiasm and with his trusty guitar, “Susie.”
Larry was a member of many musical groups, including Star City Syndicate, Aroostook River Voices, Just Folks Singers, and former leader of the Larry Hall Band, to name a few. In addition, he enjoyed much of what nature had to offer through hunting, fishing, and camping, and shared his love of the outdoors as a Scoutmaster of the Boy Scouts of America for many years. He proudly assisted 16 boys to earn their Eagle Scout Badge, the highest rank of Boy Scouting, including his two sons. The annual hunting trip to Bessey’s camp at Rocky Brook included several generations of family and friends. Larry was the inaugural Ashland Citizen of the Year and received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015 from the Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Anne (Despres) Hall of Ashland; two sons, Joel Hall and his wife, Melissa, of Ashland, and Toby Hall and his wife, Elizabeth, of Lake Waccamaw, NC; his mother of Ashland; two granddaughters, Mackenzie and Willow; one brother, Leland Hall of Camden; as well as several nieces and nephews; and many friends, bandmates, and musicians through the years.
Besides his father, Larry was predeceased by a brother, Leslie Hall.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 1, 2018, at Ashland District School, 180 Presque Isle Road, Ashland. Relatives and friends are invited to greet Larry’s family on Sunday, July 1, from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the school. Arrangements are a service of Lajoie Funeral Home, 114 Exchange St., PO Box 39, Ashland. In lieu of flowers, donations in Larry’s name may be made to MSAD#32 Band Program, PO Box 369, Ashland, ME 04732. To share condolences online, please visit www.LajoieFuneralHome.com
