SPRINGVALE — Sidney Williams Emery passed away Feb. 27, 2015 at Huntington Common in Kennebunk at the age of 101.

He had previously resided in Springvale for over 60 years and had a lifelong connection with the town of Alfred.

Sid was born in North Weymouth, Massachusetts on Nov. 24, 1913.

Sid graduated from Brewster Academy and attended University of South Carolina and Bowdoin College.

He worked for the USDA in York County as a Soil and Water Technician for 39 years, prior to his retirement in 1984. In that position, he worked with the farmers of York County Maine on soil and water projects such as designing and overseeing the construction of over 600 farm ponds around the county.

Sid was especially interested in forest conservation, which led to his involvement with the reforesting of areas in southern Maine that were burned in the 1947 fires. He was instrumental in persuading the Town of Lyman to donate 140 acres of abandoned land to the Soil Conservation District. His efforts to restore this land led to this forest being named the “Sid Emery Demonstration Forest.” In 2001, Sid was honored at a ceremony during which Governor Angus King presented him with the “Outstanding Forest Steward” award, recognizing his decades of stewardship of Maine forests.

Sid was active with the Masons and was a past master of Fraternal Lodge 55 of Alfred and a 32nd Degree member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Portland.

In addition to farming and forestry, Sid’s interests included a love of jazz and stamp collecting. He particularly enjoyed collecting and displaying postal correspondence addressed to Harriet (H. B.) Shaw, a pioneer mail-order entrepreneur who operated out of her house in Alfred from 1865 to 1881.

Sid is preceded in death by: his wife, Jean Stiles Emery; and his daughters, Nancy Emery Eastman and Lois Emery Loizos.

He is survived by: His children, Vice Admiral George Emery, USN Ret., of Kennebunkport, Kay Emery McClaine of Seattle, Washington, Dr. Sidney W. Emery Jr. of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jason Emery of Longmont, Colorado, and Eric Emery of Merrimack, New Hampshire; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their thanks and appreciation to the staff and caregivers at Huntington Common, Kennebunk, for the professional and loving care given to their father during his 2 1/2 year residence.

A memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family, likely in early summer.

Those who wish to make a donation in Sid’s honor are asked to consider Southern Maine’s Alfred Shaker Museum, 118 Shaker Hill Road, Alfred, ME 04002 or Fraternal Lodge #55 A.F. & A.M. Alfred, ME 04002-0427.

To leave a message of condolence for the family, visit www.autumngreenfuneralhome.com

The Autumn Green Funeral Home is respectfully handling arrangements.