Dr. Arthur Kevin Carton

Carton, Dr. Arthur K., 87, August 3, 2010.  Arrangements by Dunn Funeral Home, Houlton.  Interment to be held in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
    HOULTON, BLUE HILL & BRUNSWICK – Dr. Arthur Kevin Carton, 87, beloved physician, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend, passed peacefully from this life on August 3, 2010 at his home in Brunswick.
    Dr. Carton was born November 11, 1922 at Fairville, NB, Canada, the son of Arthur William and Catherine (Murphy) Carton.
    As a young man, he was an avid swimmer and spent his summers in Fairville as a lifeguard patrolling beaches along the river. He graduated from St. Francis Xavier University in 1943, where he was a member of the varsity football and hockey teams in addition to being a student instructor in the physics lab. He went to medical school at Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS. He interned at the Victoria General in Halifax and completed his residency in surgery at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. From there, Dr. Carton did a year of teaching and research at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion where he received a Master’s Degree in Surgical Anatomy. In his last year of medical school, he met the love of his life, Edith P.F. Shaw of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. They were married on July 27, 1948 at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax, NS. Over the next 50 years, Dr. and Mrs. Carton raised and nurtured 10 children, 28 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and untold numbers of their children’s friends. Dr. Carton was ßa general surgeon with a specialty in abdominal surgery. He was also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Surgeons in Canada. He began his medical practice in St. Stephen, NB in the early fifties and moved to Houlton in 1956. In 1981, after 26 years of dedicated service to the families of the Houlton area, Dr. Carton closed his office at 7 Park Street and relocated to the coast of Maine to become staff surgeon at the Blue Hill Memorial Hospital. Before fully retiring to the Blue Hill area, he did a short stint in rehabilitation medicine in his hometown of St. John, NB.
    During his retirement, Dr. Carton enjoyed a daily game of golf with good friends – his crowning achievement – 2 holes-in-1. His passions were medicine and his family, but he also enjoyed writing poetry, oil painting and music, especially a rousing family sing-a-long.
    Dr. Carton was a devoted grandfather and spent many hours traveling and supporting his grandchildren in all their academic and sporting events. Most recently, he attended a grandson’s baseball game via his wheelchair. In 1998, Dr. Carton and his wife made their final move to Brunswick. In 1999, his beloved Edith passed away. Dr. Carton joined the family of his youngest daughter, Patty in 2006.
    In 2001, Dr. Carton was honored by his alma mater, St. Francis Xavier University, by being initiated in the Hall of Honor. This award is reserved for members of the St. Francis Xavier community who have exemplified the college tradition of devoting their lives to helping others.
    The past few years, though he was hindered with limited mobility, Dr. Carton kept his family and caregivers entertained with his endless stories, humor and wit. During this time, he was blessed with kind, devoted caregivers who eased him through his end of life transitions.
    As Grampa Carton, he always had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a beloved father, grandfather, and great- grandfather.
    Throughout his life, Dr. Carton was a devout Catholic who faithfully attended daily Mass. He was a member of St. Charles Borremeo in Brunswick, and former member of St. Josephs in Ellsworth and St. Mary of the Visitation in Houlton.
    Dr. Carton is survived by his children, Dr. Thomas Carton and his wife, Jennie of Rose Bay, NS, Mary Louise Carton Seward and her husband, David of Gouldsboro, Dr. B. Catherine Carton of North Hampton, MA, Michael Carton of New Limerick, Anne Carton of Brunswick, Martha Carton and her husband, Mark Leavitt of Freeport, Joe Carton and his wife, Bonnie of Burlington, VT, Sean Carton of Toronto, ON, Canada, Patty Carton and her husband, John Newlin of Brunswick; 28 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Edith in 1999 and his son Art in 1991.
    Friends may call at the Dunn Funeral Home Thursday 6 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Friday with Rev. David Raymond celebrant. Interment will be in the St. Mary’s Cemetery. Gifts may be made in Dr. Carton’s memory to the Catholic Charity of Maine or the Houlton Health Services Foundation c/o Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park Street, Houlton, ME 04730.