Current obits

William G. Shea, 88

William G. (Jerry) Shea, 88, of Scarborough, died on Aug. 5, 2006, at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

He was born on June 18, 1918, in Portland, a son of Dennis and Gertrude (McGahey) Shea, attended local schools, and was a 1936 graduate of Cheverus High School.

During World War II, William served in the 9th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, in the North Africa and European Theaters of Operations, and attained the rank of sergeant. For over 40 years, he worked for the Maine Central Railroad, retiring in 1980.

William was an avid golfer. He was a longtime member of the Willowdale and Nonesuch River Golf Courses. He also enjoyed bowling and playing cribbage.

On Feb. 12, 1977, William married the former Patricia Ann Connary in St. Patrick’s Church, Portland.

William was predeceased by three sisters; Patricia Fallona, Sheila Shea; and Eileen Shea.

He is survived by his beloved wife Patricia of Scarborough; his sons, Dennis G. and his wife Jacque of Mentor, Ohio, Richard A. and his wife Marine of Lewiston, and William P. and his wife Lauren of Corona, Calif.; his brother, Joseph and his wife Nancy of Manchester, N.H.; eleven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Donations in William’s name may be made to: The Good Cause Thrift Shop, 693 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101 or St. John the Evangelist Church, 11 Aspen Avenue, South Portland, Maine 04106.

Cecile C. Brown, 84

Cecile Chabot (Bergeron) Brown, of Chamberlain Road, Scarborough, died on July 21, 2006 after a brief stay at Piper Shores.

Born on November 10, 1921 in Lewiston, she was the daughter of Joseph P. and Marie (St. Pierre) Chabot.

Cecile attended Lewiston schools and Acme Business College for girls. After her marriage to Edmund Bergeron, they left for New York City to start their family, having two sons, Donald Norman and Robert.

Shortly after the beginning of the war, they returned to Maine. Cecile joined the legion of “Rosie the Riveters” at the South Portland Shipyard, where she quickly attained the rank of First Class Lead welder. Continuing in the war effort, Cecile went to Connecticut to learn blueprint reading and subsequently,

became a quality control inspector.

Returning to Lewiston, Cecile remarried to Clifton “Brownie” Brown in Mechanic Falls, Maine on August 20, 1949. The family then moved to South Portland where Brownie was employed by Hemingway and Cecile by the Splendid Restaurant.

In November 1954, Cecile and Brownie joined the First Baptist Church on Congress Street in Portland and continued in Bible studies there until Brownie went home to be with the Lord in February of 1968.

Brownie and Cecile built their “dream” home in Scarborough in 1962.

Cecile’s passion and joy then became her flower gardens, particularly her “rock garden,” which expanded every year. An annual ritual was the spring planting of 12 deep red Geraniums to complement the white window boxes and the multicolored perennials.

Cecile was predeceased by Brownie, her parents, her sisters Emilienne, Germaine, Madeline and Carmen and her brothers Charles and Phillip.

Cecile is survived by her sons Donald Bergeron of Houston, TX and Robert Bergeron and his wife Rosalie (Carey) of Tempe, AZ; grandson Steven Mark Bergeron and wife Cheryl of Flagstaff, AZ; granddaughters Susan (Bergeron) Paetz and her husband Kerry of Phoenix, AZ, Joanna Bergeron of Rowley, MA, and Leslie

Bergeron Sudak of Bedford, NH; great grand children Steven Robert Bergeron and his wife Nicole, Aaron Bergeron and Nate Bergeron, all of Flagstaff, AZ, Christopher and Kyle Paetz of Phoenix, AZ and Hannah and Ellie Sudak of Bedford, N.H;

great-great grandchildren Deanne and Mark Bergeron (twins) also of Flagstaff, AZ; nieces Erin Robb of Keene, NH, Carol Cleveland Waite of Milton, ME and Gloria Hewey of West Forks, ME; nephews John and David Cleveland of Auburn, ME and Philip Cleveland of CA; and best friends Mabel Carey and Shirley McLaughlin.

Services and interment were in South Portland.

Memorial donations, if desired, may be made to: Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 163 Lancaster Street, Portland, Maine 04101.

John Files, 97

John Files of Center Road, Gray, died Aug. 3, 2006, at a Portland hospital.

He was born April 9, 1909, in Raymond, a son of George T. and Arabella Small Files.

John attended Raymond schools and Pennell Institute, and married Hazel Blake of New Gloucester, Oct. 26, 1935. He worked in the shipyard in South Portland in the early 40s, then was a truck driver for Hannaford Brothers, Coles Express, and retired from Quinn Freight Lines in April 1971.

He was a Past Great Sachem of the Great Council of Maine Red Men April 25, 1974, and a member of Mishawaka Tribe New Gloucester for 27 years. Currently he has been a member of Sagwa Tribe Red Men, Cumberland, Past Master of Gray

Grange #41, Powhatan of Degree of Pocahontas Durremquen Council, New Gloucester, President of Gray Senior Citizens, Cumberland County Pomona Grange #15.

John traveled to many places after his retirements. He and wife Hazel went to Hawaii twice, Alaska, Oregon, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Mississippi River paddle boat, Indiana, Niagara Falls, New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, California and lived in Florida for four years then returned to Gray.

John and Hazel had three sports camps, one in Greenville, one in Old Town and one in Kokadjo where they spent every spare minute hunting and fishing. John received his 50 year membership certificate from Improved Order of Red Men,

February, 1999.

John was predeceased by his wife Hazel (Blake) Files; brothers; Horace, Allen, Clifford, Gardner; and sister, Myrtle Files Smith.

He is survived by his daughter, Betty McDermott and husband Frank of Raymond; Beverly Coyne and husband John of Jacksonville, Fla.; son, Donald (Lefty) Files and wife Janice of Cape Elizabeth; son John R. Files and companion Deborah

Lebel of Portland; daughter, Barbara Files and husband Michael Salvaggio of Hopkinton, Mass.; 16 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Dad had four pastimes that consumed his time; his garden that he planned all winter, and the Red Sox and all their ups and downs. After more than 50 years he finally saw them win it all one more time. He also loved and looked forward to hunting trips up to his camp that he built by hand on the shores of First

Roach Pond with his two sons, grandson and friends for the past forty years. Then there were the fishing trips with his sons to the same camp for as many years for salmon and trout. All this made good stories for many years.

Dad always had a garden, and enjoyed laboring in it for many hours. The family has eaten blue potato, corn and the largest melons in North Windham. He loved his lobster, Indian pudding and lemon meringue pie. Dad was a man of few words but was right to the point. He brought a smile to the face of everyone he

met. He will be missed by all. The last ten years of his life he enjoyed the Gray Meal Site and the Gray Senior Citizens, his friends at West Falmouth Hannafords and his care taker Marie Barnard. Thank you to all for making his life happy.

Services were held at Dolby Funeral Chapel, Windham, followed by burial in Gloucester Hill Cemetery, New Gloucester. Donations in his memory may be made to Gray Senior Citizens, care of George Parady, 97 Yrmouth Road, Gray, Maine 04039.

Norma J. Lucey, 76

Norma J. Lucey, 76, was born on Sept. 21, 1929, in Bath, to Joseph T. Smith and Pauline A. Nickerson.

She passed away peacefully on July 31, 2006, in Mesa, Ariz. with her family by her side.

Norma grew up in Bath in her early years, then moved to South Portland with her family and graduated from South Portland High School in 1947. She worked for Shaw’s Supermarket and that is where she met her husband, the love of her life of 36 years, Francis X. Lucey. She worked for several years at Maine Bonding and Casualty.

After that she began her 27-year career at Longfellow School where she held the position of teacher assistant. She thoroughly enjoyed her time working with all the students and especially the wonderful relationships she developed over the years with the staff.

Norma lived most of her life in various places within the greater Portland area until her last eight months, which she spent with her daughter and daughter’s fiance in Mesa, Ariz. During her retired years from education and up to her final days, she traveled, relaxed and enjoyed life to the fullest.

She was predeceased by her husband, Francis X. Lucey.

She is survived by a sister, Mabelle (Mickey) Spear of Enfield, Conn.; a son, Timothy Lucey from Westbrook; and two daughters, Diane Joyal of West Tremont, and Connie Kervin of Mesa, Ariz.; and a very dear friend, who was like a daughter to Norma, Tracey Mezzanotte of Gorham.

Norma was a very caring woman and made friends instantly through her personality and humor. She will be sadly missed by everyone whose heart she touched. Memorial services will be held at a later date. If desired, memorial donations can be made to your local Hospice organization.

Reta F. Mainville,

Reta Frances Mainville, a long-time resident of Cape Elizabeth, died in her sleep on Aug. 2, 2006, after a brief stay at The Cedars in Portland.

Born Sept. 6, 1913, she was the middle child of Oliver M. Milliken and Lida Libby Harmon Milliken. She spent her early years at the Warrawaskee Farm in Scarborough and graduated from Scarborough High School in 1931.

In 1933 she married Waldeck E. Mainville and the couple moved to the Baltimore, Md. area, where her husband pursued an early career in aviation and a later career as a certified public accountant. Reta was employed at Hutzler’s department store in East Baltimore for several years.

Reta returned to Maine in 1972 after her husband’s death. She lived on Payne Road in Scarborough and enjoyed summers working at Flaherty’s Farm stand for four years until she moved to Cape Elizabeth. She was active in both the Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth Historical Societies throughout her later years, and participated in their meetings and fundraising activities.

Her hobbies included sewing, needlework, crocheting, quilting, and many other crafts. She was a member of the Casco Bay quilters and often displayed her beautiful quilts at local shows. She also enjoyed jigsaw and crossword puzzles and the card game Solitaire.

Reta traveled extensively, visiting Australia, Europe, Canada, and most of the continental United States. She compiled extensive scrapbooks of all her trips.

She was predeceased by her husband, Waldeck; a brother, Ira M. Milliken; and a grandson, Eric C. Davis. She is survived by her sister, Marjorie M. Fancy of Scarborough; her three children, Norma Jean Davis (Herb) of Jacksonville, Fla., Dr. Waldeck E. Mainville Jr. (Helen) of Cape Elizabeth, and Marilyn M. Taylor (John) of Scarborough; and by seven grandchildren and five great

grandchildren.

Her funeral was held at the Hobbs Funeral Home. Reta will be laid to rest at Dunstan cemetery in Scarborough.

Donations in Reta’s honor may be made to The Scarborough Historical Society and Museum, P. O. Box 156, Scarborough, Maine 04074.

William Louis Mulkern, 85

William Louis Mulkern, 85, of South Portland, died peacefully in his sleep in Portland on Aug. 4, 2006.

He was born in Portland on Oct. 18, 1920, a son of John and Helen Maguire Mulkern. He was a graduate of Cheverus High School.

Following high school, Mr. Mulkern served in the U.S. Army during World War II where he earned the rank of staff sergeant.

He was employed as a truck driver for Hemingway Brothers where he retired after 40 years of service. He was recognized with a reward for having over 30 accident free years as a driver.

Mr. Mulkern was very active. He loved golfing and other sports, where he was often a spectator. He enjoyed following Cheverus High School and University of Notre Dame sporting events. He also enjoyed taking walks, and spending Saturday nights dancing at dance halls with his wife.

He was a member of the Elks Club, the Harold T. Andrews Post, the VFW, and the Eagles.

Mr. Mulkern was a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church.

He was predeceased by his parents; one grandson, Patrick Mulkern; one sister, Eileen Jung; and three brothers, Edward, Richard, and Robert Mulkern.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Helen (Milos) Mulkern of South Portland; one daughter, Karen Brewer of South Portland; three sons; Brian Mulkern of Portland, William Mulkern of Portland, Ore., and Joseph Mulkern and his wife Linda of Portland; two sisters, Mary Morsehead and Eulalia Cyr, both of Chicago, Ill.; one granddaughter, Colleen Schelling and her husband Derek of

Westbrook; and one great-granddaughter, Savannah Schelling.

Services and interment were in South Portland.

Kathleen M. O’Sullivan, 63

Kathleen M. O’Sullivan of Falmouth, died on Aug. 2, 2006 at the age of 63.

She was born in Holyoke, Mass., on October 24, 1942, the daughter of the late Walter and Mary (O’Connor) Kennedy. She attended schools in Holyoke, and graduated from the Boston College School of Nursing in 1964.

She married John P. O’Sullivan, Jr. on June 18, 1966, and practiced nursing for a time before starting and raising her family.

Kathy was a beautiful woman, who will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, and friend. She was also a talented artist. She touched the lives of many and will always be remembered for her great love, compassion, and inner strength.

In addition to her husband, she leaves four adult children, Brenda M. Kostyk and her husband Daniel of Newton, Mass., John P., III and his wife Nancy of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Kerry A. Crichton and her husband David of Beverly, Mass., and Daniel S. of Falmouth, Maine; and nine grandchildren.

She also leaves her sister, Maureen Swierzewski, and two brothers, John Kennedy and Thomas Kennedy, all of Holyoke, Mass., as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Joan Drennan.

Services were held in Falmouth followed by burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Biddeford.

Joseph A. Seneca

Joseph A. Seneca, 76, died Aug. 2, 2006 at his Portland home.

He was born in Portland on Sept. 13, 1929, the son of Joseph and Rita DiMauro Seneca, and attended Portland schools.

Mr. Seneca was a boilermaker all of his life. He began his career at the age of 17, working for the Portland Company until its closing. Then, as a member of Boilermakers Union #29, he worked until his retirement in 1992 at the age of 62.

As a young man, Joseph enjoyed singing with neighborhood friends.

Mr. Seneca was a member of AMVETS Post #25, and the Paul C. Malia Post #161 American Legion, and was a former member of the Portland Eagles. He enjoyed his home, playing cards, the daily newspaper crossword puzzle, and his friends at the AMVETS, but more than anything, he enjoyed his time spent with his grandchildren.

He was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict, having served in Europe.

Mr. Seneca was a communicant of St. Peter’s Catholic Church.

He was predeceased by his wife, Judith Swasey Seneca, who died April 11, 2006, and three brothers, Charles ” Charlie” Seneca, Silviano “Sil” Seneca, and Vincent “Vinny” Seneca.

Surviving are two daughters, Margaret Ford and her husband Dean of Scarborough, and Joanne Seneca of Portland; a son, Michael Seneca of Portland; two sisters, Filomena “Mena” Yarnold of Portland, and Assunta “Sue” Seneca of Scituate, Mass., a brother, Antonio “Tony” Seneca of Portland; and four grandchildren, Rachel Seneca, Dean Ford, Jr., Elizabeth Ford, and Georgia Ford.

The family would like to take the opportunity to express its gratitude to VNA and Hospice and the staff at Maine Medical Center for the care that was given to Joseph during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, New England Division, Inc., One Main St., Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086.