FALMOUTH – Elbridge W. Boyle Sr. passed away in his home in Falmouth on Tuesday April 6, 2021 after a brief illness. Ellie was 86. He wanted to be at home with family and not isolated in the hospital. Thanks to the nurses at Maine Medical Center for making him strong enough to fulfill his wish, giving him an opportunity to see his family before beginning his next journey.

Ellie, “Brother” “Dad” “Uncle Ellie” and “Papa”, was born at Maine General Hospital in Portland on March 21, 1935. The first child was soon taken home to Peaks Island on the next boat by his parents, Raymond H. and Olivia Trott Boyle. Ellie graduated from Peaks Island Grammar School in 1949 and Portland High School in 1953. He joined the United States Marine Corps right after graduation. The Korean War ended later that summer.

Home on leave in October 1954, Ellie married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Shirley Bihm. The couple was blessed with four children, Sharon with her husband Ken Marks, Rick with his wife Barbara (Estabrook), Jim with his love Laurie Holmes, and Beau (Elbridge Jr.) with his wife Michelle (Sampson).

Honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1956, Ellie went to work at Central Maine Power Company in Portland as a ground worker in the line department. He advanced to line supervisor. “Dickie” was promoted to Farmington District Line Supervisor in 1980. In 1984 he was transferred to the Lewiston district and back to Portland in 1986. Dickie retired from CMP in 1991 after serving three years as Line Superintendent – Western Division. Retirement didn’t last long however, contracting with CMP as Transmission Line Inspector for another 18 years! At 75 years of age Dickie retired again, finally believing the “college kids” at the company could keep the system running without him. This freed him up to spend more time at camp. He quickly removed the phone from camp; the rotary dial phone that CMP required him to keep for 53 years. There is no phone service at Seboomook, hasn’t been since the loggers starting using radios, back in the ’50s. However, he did have a phone; keeping his end of the bargain.

After spending his childhood and early adult years hunting and fishing from Seboomook Cottage, Papa built his own camp in 1974 with the help of family and friends. He named it “About Time”. It was modest at first, but grew room by room as the family grew. Papa loved to sit on the front deck with anyone who would stop by. He would tell stories of the old days; how Grampy Trott showed these folks how to row, winning the annual rowing contest from Seboomook dock around Clyde’s Island and back. We heard all his stories a million times. Would love to hear them again.

Ellie was laid to rest in Evergreen Cemetery in Portland by his family on Friday April 9, 2021.

He was predeceased by his parents; brother Harry, and brother-in-law, James Bihm.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley; their four children; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren (as of this writing); two sisters, Estelle Whitton with her husband Sonny, and Betty Hansen with her husband Dan, a brother, Ray Jr. with his wife Doris, two sisters-in-law, Georgia Boyle and Kathy Bihm; and dozens of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Family plans a celebration of life later this year, when hopefully it is safe to honor him, hug each other, and retell his stories with our masks off.

Please visit http://www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to share fond memories and offer condolences.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Ellie’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Copy the Story Link