John J. Ganem, 84

Well known chef, World War II vet

John J. Ganem, 84, of South Portland, died Aug. 19, 2006, at the Scarborough Veteran’s Home.

He was born in Portland, the son of Jacob and Carimi Ganem.

He leaves behind his wife of 43 years, Theresa; four children, Tony, Deborah, Gary, and Shawn Ganem, of Portland; his brother, Joseph Ganem; and his sister, Victoria Cross of Florida; and many nieces and nephews.

John was a Coast Guard Veteran during World War II and following his discharge in 1945, joined the Merchant Marines for a time.

To many, John will be remembered as a top-notch and well-known chef in the greater Portland area, working for 17 years at the then famous Splendid Restaurant on Congress Street in Portland, as well as the Portland Country Club, the

Sportsman’s Grill, and then retiring as an on-board chef from the Exxon Corp.

in 1982.

He was a lifelong member of the VFW and the Elks Club #188 in Portland where he enjoyed poker, pool and gin rummy.

John, a consummate flirt with a great sense of humor was loved by his family and friends and will be dearly missed.

A mass of Christian burial was celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Church, South Portland.

Steven A. Helton

Steven A. Helton, son of William and Phyllis Helton of Scarborough, died Aug. 16, 2006, from head injuries suffered in a recreational accident.

Steve was born Aug. 10, 1957, in Limestone. A resident of Buhl, Idaho, at the time of his death, Steve worked at Jerome Cheese in Jerome, Idaho, for the last five years. Steve will be remembered as a thoughtful and caring husband and father who loved to live life to the fullest.

Steve is survived by his parents; his wife Tami; and two sons, Paris and Jesse, all of Buhl; three sisters, Victoria of Portland, Angela and her husband George Ayoob of South Portland, and Andrea of Boston, Mass.; his parents-in-law, Arthur and Donna Freund of Buhl; sister-in-law Rebecca Oparnico and her

husband Ted of Boise, Idaho; and two brothers-in-law and their wives, Matthew and Shawn Freund of Twin Falls, Idaho, and Andrew and Emily Freund of Meridian, Idaho. He will also be fondly remembered by friends from all over the country.

Donations in Steve’s memory are welcomed for: The Steve Helton Family Fund, First Federal Bank, 123 Broadway Avenue, North Buhl, Idaho 83316.

Georgina Minott Hill, 77

Georgina Minott Hill, 77, Connecticut, beloved wife of 59 years of Kenneth R. Hill passed away Aug. 19, 2006.

Mrs. Hill was born in Portland, Aug. 22, 1928, a daughter of the late George Henry and Mary Davis Minott, and was a Hamden resident since 1961.

She received her BA degree from Quinnipiac University, and later received her Master’s degree from the Yale University School of Divinity. She had been a long-time member, and former deacon, of the Church of the Redeemer. She was an avid cat lover and has had many cats over the years that she thoroughly enjoyed.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Johanna Medcalf, of Old Orchard Beach; sisters Charlene Thomas of Cape Elizabeth, and Betty Jean Braley of Portland; along with several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Hill was predeceased by her son, Kenneth R. Hill Jr.; sisters Mary Minott and Joanne

Harris; and a brother, John Minott.

Services were held in Connecticut.

Joseph F. Kacer, 68

Vietnam war veteran

Joseph F. Kacer, 68, died Aug. 16, 2006, at a Bangor hospital. He was born Oct. 31, 1937, in Carbondale, Penn., the son of Andrew and Justine (Kutch) Kacer.

Joe was a 20 year veteran in the United States Air Force serving two tours in Vietnam as an Airplane Mechanic. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Metal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. After serving 20 years, he retired in July of 1975. He then worked for Parts Wholesale and

Car Quest for twenty years retiring in 2000.

He enjoyed carpentry, and woodworking, and he was also and avid fisherman and golfer. Joe’s fondestmemories will be of his friends and family at his camp on Pleasant Lake, four wheeling, and golfing at the Bangor Municipal Golf Course and the Rocky Knoll Golf Course in Orrington.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years Charlotte (More) Kacer of Brewer; two daughters, Kimberly Foster, and Katherine Clark and her husband Kris of Brewer; two sons, Joseph Kacer Jr. and his wife Pauline of Bangor, and James Kacer and his wife Doreen of Scarborough; ten grandchildren, Morghan Foster and her

boyfriend Andy Pierce, Ethan Niedorowski, Allyson Barnard and her husband Ryan, Rebecca Clark, Zarin, Nikita, Chevaughn, Joseph III, Benjamin, and Jacob Kacer, one soon to be great grandchild Zoey. He is also survived by a sister Barbara Bednash; and one brother, Steve Kacer and his wife Grace all of

Pennsylvania; several aunts, uncles; nieces, nephews; and cousins.

He will be greatly missed by all of his close friends, who brought him many great memories. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by a brother Frank Kacer.

Services were held in Brewer, with military honors.

Lawrence C. Peters, 79

Lawrence C. Peters, 79, of Westbrook died Aug. 21, 2006, at the Springbrook Health Care facility.

He was born in South Portland, a son of Nathan C. and Alice Peters. He was raised and educated in South Portland and was a graduate of South Portland High School. He went on to serve in the Army Air Corps.

Lawrence had been employed by Kirby Vacuum, Simmons Upholstery and the Portland Railroad for 42 years.

He was a member of the AMVETS, the American Legion Post 197, the Westbrook Eagles and the V.F.W. He loved his camp on Spruce Head Island, where he enjoyed watching the boats come in and knew all the lobstermen. He was a bargain hunter, enjoyed riding his motorcycle, snowmobiling and playing his guitar.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ruth E. Batchelder Peters; a daughter, Barbara and husband Gary Kelly of Torrance, Calif.; two grandchildren, Carol Tapley of South Portland, David and wife Pam Tapley; and great-granddaughter, Emma Grace of Westbrook

Services were held at the Blais & Hay Funeral Home, Westbrook. Interment will be in the Maine Veterans Cemetery, Augusta.

Thelma M. Pike, 93

Independent, avid Red Sox fan

Thelma M. Pike, 93, of Scarborough, died Aug. 17, 2006, at Mercy Hospital following a brief illness.

She was born in Limestone the daughter of Curtis and Glade (Porter) Mckenney, and educated in LaGrange schools.

She moved to the greater Portland area in 1942 and has lived in Scarborough since 1946.

Mrs. Pike was employed as a nurse’s aide at the Pine Point Manor for many years. She enjoyed bowling, hunting and fishing, gardening, knitting and was an avid Red Sox fan and being with her family.

A very independent person, Mrs. Pike received her drivers license at the age of 62 and lived by herself for 30 years. She looked forward to Christmas Eve with her family and all the preparation for it.

Her husband Kenneth Pike died in 1976. She was also predeceased by daughter Priscilla Estes; grandson Curtis Pike; and granddaughters Michelle Angell and Sandi Pike.

Mrs. Pike is survived by daughter Linda P. Ceaser and husband Philip of Scarborough; three sons, Delbert K. Pike and wife Angie of Danvers, Mass., Wayne C. Pike of Greenville, Tenn., Arlo D. Pike and wife Judy of Scarborough; many grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Sandi Pike Scholarship Fund Care of Linda P. Ceaser, P.O. Box 411, Scarborough, Maine 04070.

Doris Dexter Thompson, 83

Doris Dexter Thompson, 83, of Limestone, died Aug. 16, 2006, at Parkview Hospital in Brunswick. Doris was born on March 9, 1923, in Lewiston, the daughter of Daniel Sheehan Dexter and Emily Cummiskey Dexter.

As a child she attended Jordan Grammar School. She graduated from Lewiston High School in 1941. During her high school years, Doris was considered a strong swimmer and was a member of the LHS women’s basketball team. At Lewiston

High, she defeated Maine’s future independent governor, James Longley, for the senior class presidency. She was named to the National Honor Society and was a member of the Alpha Beta Gamma Sorority.

In the spring of 1942, Doris met Keith Thompson, the son of an Aroostook County farmer and the love of her life. After a whirlwind courtship, they were married in June of 1943 and celebrated 62 wedding anniversaries. Their wartime

romance sent Keith to the South Pacific and Doris to home bases in Florida and California. While in California, she worked in an aircraft manufacturing plant. She graduated from the University of Maine in 1946 with a degree in history. Lifelong friendships were created during this period.

After World War II, Keith and Doris returned to Aroostook County to work and raise their family. Doris was a homemaker, active community member, and Girl Scout Leader. After her children graduated from high school, Doris became a United States History teacher at Limestone High School. As an educator, Doris was considered one of the very best. Doris was interested in international affairs, the opinions of young people, and enjoyed debating her viewpoints on many subjects.

In their retirement years, Keith and Doris spent their summers at Madawaska Lake and their winters on Ana Maria Island in Florida. A long time member of the American Association of University Women, Doris was an avid reader and a member of the AAUW Book Group. She was known for her strong and abiding friendships throughout the years. For many, she was a mentor and role model.

In May of this year, Doris was predeceased by her husband, Keith M. Thompson. She was also predeceased by her brother, David E. Dexter.

Doris is survived by her sister and husband, Mary and Reginald Boutin of Scarborough; her daughter and husband, Susan Thompson Cloutier and Jules Cloutier of Topsham; her son and his wife, Stephen Dexter Thompson and Nona Libby Thompson of Hallowell; and two grandchildren, David Stephen Thompson of Hallowell, and Laura Thompson Brady and her husband Damian Brady of Lewes, Del.

Services were held in Limestone.

The Thompson family expresses their deepest gratitude for the loving care provided by the staff at Parkview Adventist Medical Center.

John F. Thompson, 84

John F. Thompson, 84, South Portland, died on Aug. 19, 2006, at a Scarborough extended care facility. He resided at the Betsy Ross House for the last three

years.

He was born in Portland, a son of Philip and Jennie (Means) Thompson, and was educated in Portland schools. He was a graduate of Kimball Union Academy in Meridan, N.H., and attended the University of Maine at Orono.

Mr. Thompson was employed at the Portland Pipeline Corporation for 30 years, retiring in 1983 as dock foreman.

He was a member of the First Congregational Church UCC of South Portland, the 60-Plus Club in Portland, and a former member of the Hiram Masonic Lodge.

One of his last thoughts was that he would rather be sailing on Casco Bay.

His wife of 53 years, Ann (Palmer) Thompson, died in 2002. He was also predeceased by a son, Gordon M. Thompson, in 1985.

Survivors include two sons, David J. Thompson of Scarborough, and Richard P. Thompson and wife Joyce of South Portland; one brother, Dr. Philip P. Thompson of Portland; one sister, Jane Tukey of Scarborough; one daughter-in-law, Sally Thompson of South Portland; eight grandchildren; one great granddaughter;

several nieces, nephews; and many close friends.

Memorial donations may be made to PSL, 684 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04102.

Donald K. Wood, 84

Retired Gorham Postmaster

Donald Kaler Wood, 84, of Gorham died Aug. 15, 2006.

He was born in Portland on Nov. 28, 1921, a son of Kenneth A. and Madeline E. (Kaler) Wood. Don was a graduate of Deering High School, Class of 1941. During WWII he served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in England and France. On July 31, 1948 he married Catherine Marie Burns and together they had two sons.

Don made the U.S. Postal Service a career and retired as Postmaster of the Gorham Post Office. He was active in the Masons and had achieved the 33rd degree and also belonged to the Shriners. He also liked the fellowship of The Woodford Club.

In younger years, he enjoyed skiing and canoeing. He had a lifelong interest in photography and with his precise and exacting nature he was an accomplished amateur photographer.

Don is survived by his wife of 58 year, Marie Wood of Gorham; his son Stephen Wood of Gorham; his grandson Joshua Wood of Portland: his grandson Jason Wood of Cumberland; and his brother Alan Wood and his wife Peggy of Falmouth.

He was predeceased by his son Jeffery Wood, who died Sept. 19, 2001, and his brother Robert A. Wood.

At the request of the family funeral services were private.

For those who wish memorial tributes may be sent to the American Diabetes Association.

Stephen Y. Woodsum, 49

Stephen York Woodsum, 49, of East Conway, N.H., died unexpectedly Aug. 16, 2006, at his home.

He was born on Sept. 21, 1956, in Honolulu, Hawaii, where his father was stationed with the U.S. Army.

The son of Martha Whitmore Woodsum, of South Portland, and Kenneth York Woodsum, of Yarmouth, he grew up in Cape Elizabeth, and graduated from Cheverus High School and the University of Maine, where he studied Psychology.

He leaves behind his wife Lesley; three children, Stephanie Clark, Anisa Woodsum, and Nathan Woodsum; a grandchild Kaylee Clark; and his three siblings, Mark Woodsum, Joanne Van der Eb, and Katherine Schilling.

Stephen was a consultant for the Vermont Department of Corrections for more than twenty years. He loved life, his family, and friends and was a devout member of the Bahai faith. Stephen was a terrific outdoor enthusiast who loved mountain climbing, biking, skiing, canoeing and tennis. Some of his fondest

memories were of his annual canoe trips in the north country with his wife, along with an annual end of summer climb of Mt. Katahdin with his siblings. He had an open and keen intellect, and loved discussing matters of current events, philosophy, religion and psychology. All of our lives will be greatly diminished by the loss of his wonderful sense of humor, gracious manner, and charitable nature.

Services were held in North Conway with burial at Pine Grove Cemetery, Fryeburg.