Jr. was born in Wells on July 29, 1934, into a large and close-knit family, the son of Ellsworth L. and Marguerite Maguire Bridges. He attended Wells schools.
He met the love of his life, Sally Hutchins, when they were both in their teens. They married Aug. 25, 1956, and started their family, residing in Kennebunkport.
Jr. was employed for 34 years with MDOT as a truck driver out of the garage based in Kennebunk, retiring in 1996. During those years, he took on odd jobs evenings and weekends, and upon his retirement, he expanded that into property maintenance of local homes.
Being a firefighter was in his family’s lineage, and Jr. began fighting brush fires at age 12 beside his father and brothers with the Wells Corner Hose Co. After moving to the ‘Port, he joined the Wildes District Fire Co. on June 1, 1957, where he continued to serve in many positions, including assistant chief prior to the unification of the departments. He recently received his 50-year pin from there.
Jr. was an active member of Arundel Lodge #76 AF&AM and was its Tyler for many years, serving its many public suppers and as a building caretaker. He was a member of both Scottish Rite and York Rite bodies.
He was also a member of Kora Shrine in Lewiston, where he was part of the Kora Moped Unit taking part in parades across Maine; the York County Shrine Club, serving as a director; and a member of Aurora Chapter 190 and Madonna Chapter 144 Order of the Eastern Star, where he served as Sentinel.
A member of Village Baptist Church, he was found most Sunday mornings getting the coffee started for its coffee hour, and served for several years as the leader of Boy Scouts in the 1970s. Many times, things got done in Kennebunkport without anybody realizing it was Jr. “just taking care of things.”
Jr. is predeceased by: a grandson, Brandt David Bridges, in 2012; and two siblings, Rodney Bridges and Corrina Bridges.
Survivors include: his loving wife, Sally Hutchins Bridges of Kennebunkport; three sons, David Bridges (Linda) of Kennebunkport, Casper Bridges of Kennebunk and Kevin Bridges (Monica) of Kennebunkport; a daughter, Roxanne Bridges O’Connell (Bob) of Kennebunkport; six grandchildren, Shylah Bridges, Chris Munroe, Megan Bridges, Travis and Courtenay Kinney, and Nate Bridges; four great-grandchildren, Trever and Waylen Kinney, Ember Foss and Lucas Bridges; four brothers, Gary “JoJo” and Maynard, both of Wells, Arthur of Monte Ray, California, and Myron of Cornish; three sisters, Priscilla Brown of Kennebunkport, Maxine Michaud of Wells and Anita McKay of West Kennebunk; and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, with a Masonic service at 7:45 p.m. with the brethren of Arundel Lodge #76 officiating from Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, at Holy Spirit Parish, St. Martha’s Church, Portland Road, Kennebunk, with interment to follow in Arundel Cemetery.
Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made in Jr.’s memory to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St. Springfield, MA 01104. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Jr’s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com. Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk.
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