Clarence M. Fickett passed away peacefully in Orange Park, Florida, on Saturday, March 3, 2018, with family at his side. Clarence was born on November 19, 1933 in Everett, Massachusetts, to Elizabeth and Charles Fickett.

His family had moved to Everett from Maine following the Great Depression. They returned to Richmond, Maine, where Clarence spent his childhood and graduated from Richmond High School in 1952.

Clarence loved sports and he played on the varsity football and basketball teams. He was proud of his opportunity to play basketball in the Boston Garden while playing for Richmond. He frequently told stories about his joy of playing sports.

Clarence met his future wife, Joan Hunton, at a dance hall on Merrymeeting Bay prior to graduating from high school. They courted via train, as she lived in Portland. They married while Clarence was in the Army during the Korean War. They had four children, Michael of Yarmouth, Scott of Brunswick, Todd of Fort Mill, South Carolina, and Teri Billingsley of Fleming Island, Florida. They were married for 60 years, Joan passing in 2013.

Clarence was an ambitious and industrious man. He attended the University of Maine Farmington, graduating with a teaching degree in 1959. He started his teaching career at Bowdoin Central School where he was a principal and taught history and science. Later he transferred to Harpswell Island School. While at Harpswell, he got his master’s degree in education from the University of Maine. He remained at Harpswell until his retirement in 1986.

Clarence was always working. He ran a side business buying, fixing and selling houses. He was talented. He could do mechanical work, electrical, plumbing and carpentry.

After retirement, he drove cars for an automobile auction house and had a small private business fixing things. Through the sale of homes and other “holdings,” he was able to purchase and fix up RVs. Clarence and Joan traveled all over the country for several years. He achieved his goal of seeing all 50 states. They visited many historic sites. His travels were his passion in retirement. In the late 1990s they bought a home in Zephyrhills, Florida, where they wintered for many years. He loved the sun and the warmth.

Clarence loved family gatherings at his home in Bowdoinham. There were frequent Sunday dinners with family members and MANY seafood picnics, where Todd and Dad frequently fought over who should get the “smallest” crab.

Clarence is survived by his four children, three sisters, a brother, nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A service will be held at the Veteran’s Mount Vernon Road Cemetery in late spring, early summer to be followed by a celebration of life at a date and time to be determined.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please send a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association.