Alton L. Howe II, 83

Veteran, game warden, sheriff

Alton L. Howe II, 83, of Waterford, passed peacefully on Sept. 8, 2006, at the Maine Veterans’ Home in South Paris after a period of declining health. His family was with him.

Alton was born Feb. 20, 1923, in Norway at the Howe Homestead to the late Alton and Ethel McKeen Howe. He loved living on the farm and had many fond memories of this time in his life. He attended Norway schools and graduated from Norway High School in 1942.

After graduation, Alton drove a bus, transporting shipyard employees from the Norway area. He then joined the United States Army where he served with the Medical Corps. After his discharge from the Army, he worked as a Game Warden in the Cherryfield District of Maine. When he returned to the Norway area, he worked as a deliveryman for Cushman bakery for several years.

In 1970, he became an officer with the Paris Police and then as a Deputy Sheriff for the Bethel area. In 1972, Alton was elected Sheriff of Oxford County. He served for 18 years, being re-elected every two years until 1986. Alton worked with the legislature to have the law changed from a two-year term to a four-year term of office and in 1986 he was elected into a four-year term of

office. He retired in 1990.

Other accomplishments he was proud of included: being Past President of Maine Sheriff’s Association from January 1983 to December 1984; completing courses through Bureau of Corrections in Boulder, Colo., and Philadelphia, Pa. during

his term as Sheriff; graduating from National Sheriff’s conference at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va.; and being responsible for starting a defensive driving course and the Neighbor Watch Program. Alton also assisted in writing of a manual for small jails used nation wide. During his career, Alton had significant input and was instrumental in the building of the new jail in 1979 and in implementing the new communication system. Most recently Alton served as Selectman in Waterford for six years.

Alton was a member of Round Mountain Grange, Past Master of Mt. Tirem Lodge No. 132, and a member of the American Legion. He was a member of Spurr’s Corner Church in Otisfield. He held a lifetime membership to Norway Country Club.

Alton married Donna Rice on Nov. 19, 1966. They resided in Augusta and South Paris and finally settled in Waterford at Papoose Pond with their two children, April and Chip in 1969. It was here Alton had a vegetable garden every year that he took great pride in.

Al enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, tending his garden, snowmobiling, anything that involved the out of doors. He enjoyed reading the Bible and was a man of strong faith in God. He loved to spend time at the family camp at Hutchinson

Pond in Albany. He learned guitar by self-teaching and had a wonderful singing voice. He had many loyal canine companions in his life, but none more dear than his beloved cocker spaniel, Mandy. He loved to eat steamed clams and lobster, too!

Alton is survived by his wife of 40 years, Donna (Rice) Howe; their daughter April and husband Robert Olmstead of Cranston, R.I., and their son Alton, III (Chip) and wife Barbara of Scarborough. He is also survived by a son, Rodney Howe of Waterford; his sister, Marion B. Howe, of Norway; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

He was predeceased by his parents; sisters Pauline Howe Cushman and Rose Howe Holodynsky; and grandson Ian Olmstead.

Funeral services were held in Norway with interment at Waterford.

Memorial donations, if desired, may be made to the Maine Veterans Home, High Street, South Paris, Maine 04281.

John Jerry Mastropasqua, 57

Loved harness racing, devoted family man

John Jerry Mastropasqua, 57, Portland died Sept. 7, 2006, at Maine Medical Center in Portland following a long illness.

He was born Sept. 8, 1948, in Portland and raised on Munjoy Hill, a son of Girolamo and Edith (Romano) Mastropasqua. He was educated in Portland and graduated from Portland High School with the class of 1966.

Mr. Mastropasqua attended Northeastern Business College, the University of Southern Maine and graduated from Thomas College with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.

He was employed at the Supervalue Stores in Portland where he worked his way up to Comptroller of the Maine stores retiring in 1998, after 31 years of service.

He was a communicant of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church of Portland.

John loved harness racing and had owned several racehorses. He was active in the racing circuit in Brunswick and Scarborough. He was also an avid sports fan and he followed the New York Giants and the New York Mets faithfully. He will be remembered as a devoted family man who always attended sporting events for his nieces and nephews.

The true love of his life was his five year old daughter Mandy, who he devoted his time making sure she was happy.

Besides his parents, John was predeceased by a sister, Antoinette

Mastropasqua.

He is survived by his wife Charlotte Mastropasqua of Portland; his daughter, Mandy Romano Mastropasqua of Portland; a step-daughter, Tara Clark of Portland; two brothers, Anthony J. of South Portland, and Pasquale and his wife Ethelann Mastropasqua of Portland; a sister, Frances and her husband Martin Rinaldi Sr. of Portland; several nieces and nephews; and his lifelong friends, Michael, Peter and Mary Connolly.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated in St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, Portland, followed by interment in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.

The family requests that donations be made in John Mastropasqua’s memory to: The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, 386 Park Ave. South, New York, NY 10016.

Donald P. McNeil Jr.

Donald P. McNeil Jr., of South Portland, passed away on Sept. 4, 2006, after a courageous battle with cancer.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

The family has requested that all memorial remembrances be made in his name to either the American Cancer Society or the Maine Veterans’ Home in Scarborough.

A. Raymond Morin, 86

World War II veteran, retired from Postal service

A. Raymond Morin, 86, formerly of Westbrook, died Sept. 9, 2006 at the Maine Veterans Center, with his wife and children by his side.

He was born in Westbrook, a son of Arthur and Adeline Morin. He was raised and educated in Westbrook, graduating from Westbrook High School in 1937. He attended Portland Junior College.

From there he went on to complete a four year apprenticeship at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. One year later he enlisted in the Marine Corps and spent the proudest four years of his life with them. He was in the first wave to hit the beach at Bourgainville in the South Pacific. After duty on Guadalcanal, he returned to the States, where he was in charge of a small outpost on Long

Island; after the war he returned to finish his apprenticeship at the Navy Yard.

Ray was later employed by the Postal Service in Westbrook, he retired as Foreman of mails in 1976. While in the Postal Service, he worked as local President and State V.P. of the Postal Clerks Union, traveling the entire state in that capacity.

In his teens, he was a charter member of the Crusaders Club, a Catholic youth organization and was instrumental in making it possible for them to buy their own private clubhouse. In the 60s and 70s he served as Assistant Scoutmaster and then Scoutmaster of Troop 87 of St. Hyacinth Church.

In 1975, he married June Caron and celebrated 61 years of a happy marriage this year.

He was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, a member of the D.A.V., the American Legion, past member of the Westbrook Lions club.

He leaves his wife June; a daughter, Ann Morin of Winthrop; his son, Richard and wife Marie (whom Ray loved as a second daughter) Morin of Kennebunk; two granddaughters, Leslie B. and husband Jeff Nelson, Lynne Bourassa and companion

Peter Deuel; three grandsons, Jason, Dan and Andrew Morin; two

great-grandchildren, Cooper and Avery Nelson; and a sister, Jeannette Emanuelle of Hallendale, Fla.

A memorial Mass was held at St. Hyacinth Church, followed by interment in St. Hyacinth Cemetery. Arrangements were under the care of Blais & Hay Funeral Home, Westbrook.

The family wishes to thank the care givers at the Maine Veterans Home for the loving care they gave Ray and all of us. They are truly Angels of Mercy.

Memorial donations may be made to The Ronald McDonald House, 250 Brackett St., Portland, Maine 04102.

Everett T. Roberts, 80

Taught many the art of carpentry

Everett T. Roberts, 80, of Saco, died Sept. 5, 2006, at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

He was born Feb. 10, 1926, in Portland, a son of Truman F. and Wilma (Sylvester) Roberts. He was educated in South Portland schools.

Mr. Roberts served in the United States Navy following high school.

He started the E.T. Roberts Construction Company, which he owned and operated for 15 years in Falmouth, and then worked as the superintendent of a construction company in Clearwater, Fla. for 14 years before retiring back to Maine.

He was a longtime member of the Presumpscot Lodge No. 217 AF&AM, Portland Valley Scottish Rite Bodies, Kora Temple Shrine, member and past president of the Portland Masonic Club, and was an active member of the Woodford’s Club of

Portland.

Mr. Roberts enjoyed playing music and always gravitated to an organ or piano if it was in the room. He also enjoyed playing bridge and was well known at the area bean suppers. His life’s passion was woodworking. He took great pride in building homes and making handcrafted furniture for members of his family as

well as teaching countless family members the art of carpentry.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Bernice (Clemens) Roberts and a sister, Ruth Nelson.

He is survived by his wife of 12 years, Lucille (Dunton) Roberts of Saco; four children, Sharon McKellar of Weld, Steven Roberts of Falmouth, Richard Roberts of Largo, Fla. and Pennie-Jo Wentzal of Ohio; and three stepchildren, Joseph Carroll of Freeport, David Carroll of South Portland, Luann Stack of Saco; and six grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Bernice Lemmon of New Jersey; and two brothers, Truman F. Roberts and Stanley S. Roberts of Phippsburg.

A graveside service was held at Highland Memorial Cemetery, Highland Avenue, South Portland.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to The Animal Reguge League, 449 Stroudwater Street, Westbrook, Maine 04092 or to The Shriner’s Hospital, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114.

Lida P. Shaw, 91

Lida P. Shaw, 91, of North Fryeburg, died Sept. 9, 2006, at the Fryeburg Health Care Center.

She was born in Harrison. She was a daughter of Matti and Anna Rimpilainen Pulkkinen.

She worked for Green Thumb in Fryeburg for many years and also assisted her husband, Smokey Shaw, in his plumbing and heating business.

She played the saxophone in the Shaw’s Orchestra Band for many years and they were well known for their big dance parties at camp. She enjoyed cooking, gardening and was an avid reader.

She was predeceased by her husband Linwood (Smokey) Shaw in 2000; two sisters, Saima S. Pulkkinen, Hilma Litzen; and two brothers who died in infancy.

She is survived by three daughters, Nancy Bell of South Portland, Linda Shaw of Portland, and Judith Lakin of San Clemente, Calif.; three grandchildren, Lance Bell, Debbie Beote, and Ben Lakin; and three great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service will be held at Riverside Cemetery, North Fryeburg at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are made with the Wood Funeral Home, Fryeburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Fryeburg Public Library, 515 Main Street, Fryeburg, Maine 04037.

David P. Venne, 56

Active in MENSA, Irish Heritage Center

David Patrick Venne, 56, died unexpectedly at his South Portland residence on Sept. 1, 2006.

He was born on Sept. 2, 1949, in Washington D.C., a son of Richard C. and Mary Patricia O’Toole Venne. He attended Lincoln Sudbury schools and graduated from Xavier High School in Concord, Mass. He was also a graduate of Boston College and Babson College, where he took graduate courses.

Mr. Venne was very knowledgeable in philosophy, economics, and mathematics, all fields that he studied while in school. He previously worked for Pond Cove Paints in Portland and was currently working for Construction Products, Inc. of Scarborough as a sales representative.

Mr. Venne enjoyed both intellectual and physical challenges. He was active in MENSA, the Boston College Alumni, and the Irish Heritage Center where he played a role recently in restoring St. Dominic’s Church. He excelled at learning foreign languages and baseball statistics. Mr. Venne served his community as a basketball coach, substitute teacher, and as a Latin tutor. He spent time reading and liked trains, and listening to classical music and opera. He was a communicant of St. Patrick’s Church in Portland, where he also preformed in the choir.

Family was important to him. He enjoyed his children and his grandchild who called him “Gaga.”

He was predeceased by his mother, Mary Patricia Venne; and his brother, Richard (Buddy)Venne.

He is survived by his father, Richard C. Venne of Sudbury, Mass.; his children, Erin Catherine Sullivan, Patrick Joseph Venne, and Molly Meaghan Venne, all of Portland; his former wife, Tina Venne of Portland; two sisters, Ann McKenzie of Nova Scotia, and Ellen Venne of California; one grandson, Darian Xavier Sullivan of Portland; and a nephew, Nick Venne of Wellesley, Mass.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church, Portland. Interment will be in New North Cemetery, Sudbury, Mass.

Albert J. Vittorioso, 79

Albert J. Vittorioso, 79, of Saco, passed away quietly from complications of Parkinson’s Disease and Diabetes, on Sept. 1, 2006, at Huntington Common in Kennebunk.

Al was a first generation American, born on Aug. 11, 1927, in Stoneham, Mass., a son of Umberto and Amelia Fantasia Vittorioso. He graduated from Melrose High School, in Melrose, Mass., class of 1945.

Prior to graduating high school, Al became employed with Lyn-Flex Industries, a small innersole shoe company. When the company moved its operation to Saco, he took the opportunity for advancement and a more countrified life for his young family. Al was employed by Lyn-Flex Industries for over 50 years,

retiring in 1993.

After he retired, he volunteered at Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford in the Material Department.

Mr. Vittorioso enjoyed all aspects of the outdoors, including gardening, hunting, fishing, clamming, berry and apple picking. He was most often seen in his yard tending his flowers and vegetables. Neighbors were known for stopping, talking and seeking advice on their own gardens.

He is survived by his wife Esther Smith Vittorioso of Saco; two sons, Michael R. Vittorioso and his wife Susan of Waterboro, Alan J. Vittorioso and his wife Joyce of Scarborough; two daughters, Laura Vittorioso of Kennebunk, Maria Chipman and her husband Robert of Boxford, Mass.; one sister, Nora Belmonte of Methuen, Mass.; ten grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; several nieces ad nephews.

A funeral mass was celebrated from Most Holy Trinity Church in Saco, followed by burial in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Saco. Arrangements are by Cote Funeral Home, Saco.

For those who wish to express their sympathy, donation would be welcome to the Alzheimer’s Association.