Terry James Desmond

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – The family of Terry James Desmond, formerly of Scarborough, sadly announces his passing on Dec. 21, 2025, at his home in Palm Springs, California.

Terry was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 25, 1942, the son of Paul and Margaret Desmond (Summers). As a teen, he moved west to Bozeman, Montana to live with his maternal aunt and uncle Mary (Summers) and George Roemhild. Terry graduated from Bozeman High School in 1960 and from Montana State College in 1964. He enjoyed fishing and hunting in the Gallatin Valley of Montana and spent summers working on a ranch during college.

Terry joined the U.S. Navy in 1965, entering Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida. He was an intelligence officer and sailed around the world on the U.S.S. America CV-66. Terry served in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War in 1968.

While stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, Terry met his wife Elizabeth (Linda) Mary Croy of Portland, an officer in the Navy Nurse Corps. They married in March 1968, then made their home in Gallatin Gateway, Montana, near Yellowstone National Park. Terry owned and operated the Gallatin Gateway Market and Service Station for many years, and Linda was busy with their three children, David, Julie, and Nancy. Terry continued to serve in the U.S. Naval Reserve and attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

In 1976, Terry and Linda relocated to Scarborough, where they resided for 46 years. Terry began work as a CPA for Arthur Young in Portland. He provided audit and tax services in Maine for over 30 years, with a specialty in municipal accounting, retiring from the firm of Cummings, Lamont and McNamee.

Terry served many towns in Maine and continued to engage as a consultant for years after he retired.

Terry was an avid collector of coins and stamps and many other items. He enlisted his family and friends to be on the watch for additions to his matchbooks, bottle caps, corporate logo golf balls, political pins, etc.. Terry and Linda enjoyed gardening and landscaping around their backyard and sharing plants with others. Terry loved the New England Patriots and enjoyed their return to the playoffs this season.

In their retirement, Terry and Linda loved traveling and hosting their grandchildren in the summer. They spent several winters in Hawaii before buying a second home in Palm Springs, California, where they moved permanently in 2022, as Linda battled with Parkinson’s Disease.

The family expresses deepest gratitude to Bella Terra Hospice, Marie Sokolik and her caregivers Norma, Martha, Gina, Sally and Olympia, who cared for both Terry and Linda in their home in Palm Springs.

Linda passed in July 2024.

Terry was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Charles. Terry is survived by his three children; son David Desmond (Cecile) of Lee, N.H., and daughters Julie Desmond (Jacob Lieb) of Los Angeles, Calif.; and Nancy Brown (Rob) of Northport; five grandchildren; Maxine Lieb, Sadie Lieb, Liligrace Desmond, Russell Desmond, and Owen Brown; and sisters in-law Marilyn Swenson (Richard Gegenwarth) of Yarmouthport, Mass., and Barbara Scully (Brian) of Naples. He is also survived by nephews Keith Scully, Kevin Scully, Jacob Desmond and a niece, Karen Desmond Scrima.

The family is planning a memorial service for Terry in Scarborough in early July with internment at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.