Frederick Earl Culberson

     CULBERSON, Frederick Earl, 89, SCARBOROUGH, October 9, 2014. Arrangements are under the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle.

    SCARBOROUGH – Frederick Earl Culberson, 89, passed away at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House on October 9, 2014, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on October 2, 1925, in Somerville, NB, Canada, to Earl and Vera Culberson and later immigrated to the United States, where he grew up on a farm in Presque Isle and took an interest in agriculture and developed his love for animals.
    On his eighteenth birthday, his country called him to serve as a solider in World War II. Fred served in the United States Army and was assigned to the 29th Infantry Division. His unit was involved in several combat engagements including the Battle of St. Lo and he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for bravery during a battle at the Roer River in Germany. Following his return home, Fred worked for the civil service in Presque Isle and then became a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, a position he would hold for more than 30 years.
    Fred later met and married Faustina Cote and together they would raise four children. Fred and Faustina enjoyed spending time with their children and extended family at “Gram’s Camp” on Long Lake in Sinclair. Summers were a great time of fun and revelry at “the camp,” a welcome reward for enduring the harsh winters delivering mail in “the county.” He was a life member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and National Association of Letter Carriers. Fred enjoyed gardening, playing cribbage, bowling and singing with the Barber shoppers.
    As years passed, Fred and Tina’s children married and presented them with new gifts, their five beloved grandchildren who, in turn, have produced four great-grandchildren.
    Following their retirement, they were happiest in their home on Elm Street in Presque Isle where they remained until 2011 when they relocated to Sedgewood Commons in Falmouth, ME, so that they could deal more comfortably with the challenges of Tina’s advancing dementia.
    Fred was a trooper to the end and, in his last days on Earth, fought as hard to stay with his family as he had fought in the hedgerows of St. Lo in 1944.
    Survivors include Tina Culberson, his wife of 62 years; brother, Charles Culberson (Carol); sons, Curtis Culberson (Janice Wright) and Scott Culberson; daughters, Kathryn Clark (John) and Lori Owen; granddaughters, Lindsay Culberson (Tyler Graves), Abby Culberson and Christina Owen; grandsons, Jeff Owen and Ryan Guerrette (Jamie); great-grandchildren, Chase and Brandon Graves and Carly and Bobbi Jo Guerrette; many special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including the great staff at Sedgewood Commons and Gosnell Hospice who took such great care of Fred when he needed it most.
    Calling hours were held at 10 a.m., Monday, October 13, 2014, at Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church St., Presque Isle, followed by a celebration of Fred’s life at 11 a.m., with a reception following the service. In addition, there was a gathering in honor of Fred at Sedgewood Commons, 22 Northbrook Dr., Falmouth on Saturday, October 11, 2014, at 11 a.m.
    In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. www.alz.org or Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route One, #1, Scarborough, ME 04074, www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org or Aroostook House of Comfort, PO Box 867, Presque Isle, ME 04769. Online condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.