Blaine A. Ellis Obituary (1936

OAKLAND, ME—Blaine A. Ellis, 79, of Oakland, ME died on Wednesday, November 18, 2015, at home with his family by his side. He was born on October 7, 1936, in Waterville, ME, the son of Carl and Esmer (Tibbetts) Ellis. Blaine graduated from Williams High School in 1955, and began his career in woolen textile manufacturing at that time with the Wyandotte Worsted Co. in Waterville, ME. He started out in the quality control office and worked his way thru various departments to become the mill superintendent before leaving to accept a position at the Cascade Woolen Mill in Oakland, ME in 1972. He was plant manager and vice president of manufacturing in 1985, when he left Cascade to accept the position of mill manager at L.W. Packard Co. in Ashland, NH, one of the most modern textile mills in the US. He retired in 1991 due to health reasons. He and Charlene Roberts of Winslow, ME were married at the First Baptist Church in Waterville, ME on October 10, 1959, by Ralph Reynolds, and they were happily married for 56 years. Blaine was a Masonic member for over 55 years. He was Past Master of Messalonskee Lodge of Masons A.F. & A.M., Past High Priest of Drummond Royal Arch Chapter, Past Illustrious Master, and Recorder of Mount Lebanon Council. He was a former member of St. Omer Commandery, and Kora Temple Shrine. He served as chairman of the Oakland Area Business Association., vice chairman of Waterville Area United Way, and vice chairman of Chamber of Commerce. He was instrumental in reorganizing the Maine Textile Overseers Association., which he served as secretary/treasurer for many years. He was active in the Oakland Alumni Association., serving as president and treasurer. Blaine enjoyed the time spent with his family, especially the summers at their cottage at East Pond in Oakland, ME. His hobbies included photography and amateur ham radio, his call letters were N1MBB, and he was a member of amateur radio clubs in Maine and NH. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Charlene Roberts Ellis; his son, Michael Ellis and his wife, Jodi of Oakland, ME; his daughter, Lisa Moulton and her husband, John of Plymouth, NH; his brother, Harold Ellis and his wife, Gail of Topsham, ME; nine grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Carl W. Ellis; his mother Esmer Tilton, his step father, Lloyd Tilton, and his brother, Paul E. Ellis. The family would like to thank The Hospice Program for their help during this time and also his life long friend Alan Charles. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, November 23 at Lawry Brothers-Wheeler Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Oakland, ME, with burial to follow at Lakeview Cemetery, Oakland, ME. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Oakland Public Library, Church St., Oakland, ME 04963, the Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb Rd., Waterville, ME 04901 or Hospice Program of Maine General Community Care.