Sherwood C. Kitchen Obituary (1939 - 2012)

China, Maine-Sherwood C Kitchen, 73 of China, Maine, passed away Tuesday evening, March 20, 2012, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, Thayer Campus in Waterville, Maine after an extended illness of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, with his family by his side. Sherwood was born January 14, 1939, at his parent’s home in China, Maine and where he has been a life-long resident. He attended China Elementary School and graduated from Coburn Classical Institute in Waterville, Maine. He enlisted in the army from 1961-1963, and served as a platoon leader and field radio relay operator. He was honorably discharged in 1963. After returning home from serving his country, Sherwood went to work for Parmenter Farms in China, Maine and then became a licensed oil burner technician with Peters, Gas and Oil in Fairfield, Maine and Thomas Plumbing Company in Waterville, Maine. In 1968, Sherwood began working for Central Maine Power Company in Waterville, Maine as a meter reader and later went to school to become an electrical technician for them. He was a member of the IBEW Electrical Workers Union. He retired in 2001, after 33 years of service with CMP. On October 15, 1960, Sherwood married the love of his life, Marie A Hapworth of China, Maine at Waterville Advent Christian Church with the Reverend Benjamin Tibbetts officiating. In 2010, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house at Central Lodge #45 A.F. & A.M in China, Maine. Sherwood is a proud 50 year member and Past Master of the Central Lodge #45 A.F. & A.M. He was baptized at and is a member of the China Baptist Church. He also is a member of Washburn-Brann-Ward American Legion Post #195 and Lily of the Valley #157,O.E.S. in Weeks Mills, Maine, where he served as sentinel of the chapter. He was a Past Patron of the Golden Gate Chapter #67, in China, Maine. Sherwood enjoyed a variety of activities but he especially enjoyed helping others and being there for them. He will be missed by all. He is survived by his wife, Marie; two daughters, Lisa Sproul and her husband Brad, and Bethany Roberts and her husband Doug of Waterboro, Maine; four grandchildren, Justin and Nicole Sproul and Jesse and Owen Roberts; his sister, Pauline Carll, nieces and nephews Larry and Debbie Sularie, Bryan and Dianne Hall and Aaron and Ryan Gill; two sisters-in-law Barbara Flood and her husband William, and Pauline Gill; brother-in-law Greg Gill, many cousins and friends. He is predeceased by his parents, Orlave and Charlene (Haskell) Kitchen; brother-in-law Marco Sularie; nephew Michael Sularie; his father in-law James R Hapworth; and mother-in-law Geraldine A Hapworth-Knox; and several cousins, aunts, and uncles. Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2-4 and 6-8p.m. at Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main Street, Fairfield, Maine, where a Masonic service will be held at 6:30 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, March 25, at 2pm. at the China Baptist Church, Head of Lake, China, Maine, with the Rev. Ron Morrell officiating. Burial will be held later in the spring at China Extension Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Masonic Lodge Building Fund, Main Street, China, ME 04926 or the Alzheimer’s Fund, 383 US RT 1, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074.