Born in Northern Maine at the end of a crosscut saw, Rodney Gardner lived a simple life full of stories, integrity, and love. He was born to Lee and Pearl (McBreairty) Gardner Sr. in Allagash, ME, the sixth of fourteen children.
His life in Allagash revolved around the woods and the river running through them. After attending the oneroom schoolhouse through the sixth grade, Rodney worked in the woods staying at lumber camps and outsmarting the game wardens. It was not until Uncle Sam drafted him during the Korean War that he left Maine for the first time. While with the 3rd Armored Division, Company B, 86th Heavy Tank Bn., Rodney operated a tank before knowing how to drive a car.
Shortly after being released from active duty, Rodney married Dorothy Underhill. They had four children while living in northern Maine, and after moving to Topsham, ME in 1968, they had two more children. He was employed by the Army Corp. of Engineers and BIW.
Rodney enjoyed hunting and fishing, and he hated fixing cars. His family enjoyed listening to his tales about his childhood and that little village he loved.
Though not a perfect man, Rodney’s family never doubted he loved them and would do anything for them. He taught them wisdom is not from a formal education, love and forgiveness are the greatest gifts, and a moose call is made with a tin can and a shoe lace.
Rodney is predeceased by a daughter Vanessa Gardner Wood and brothers Lee Gardner Jr., John Gardner, Dwight Gardner, and Warren Gardner and a sister, Sarah Gardner.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years Dorothy Underhill Gardner of Topsham, mother-in-law Cora Johnson of Topsham, children Peter (Dianne) Gardner of Hayden, ID, Laurie (Deroy) Hale of Topsham, Rebekah (Craig) Herl of Parma, MI, Jennifer (Dwight) Balser of Topsham, and Timothy (Carre) Gardner of Portland, brothers Roy (Maude) Gardner of Allagash, Llewellyn Gardner of St. Francis, Bryden Gardner of Bangor, Thomas (Joyce) Gardner of East Corinth, Perry (Joyce) Gardner of Brewer, sisters Lucinda (Mike) Crawford of Allagash, Phyllis (Frank) Craig of Brewer, and Linda Gardner of Allagash, nineteen grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren.
Rodney’s presence will be missed, but there is comfort knowing he is reunited with loved ones, and that he is with his God and Father in Heaven.
A funeral service was held at 3:30 p.m. Monday, September 30, 2013, at the Berean Baptist Church, 15 Cumberland Street, Brunswick, ME, with the Rev. Mark Rockwood officiating. Condolences and memories can be expressed at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.
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