Raymond L. deMars
YORK HARBOR - Raymond L. deMars, 68, of York Harbor, died on April 1, 2008, at home, with his family and friends at his side after a courageous battle with brain cancer.
Ray was born in Amesbury, Mass., on June 10, 1939, to the late Edward P. and Loretta (Rousseau) Demars.
Ray was co-owner of Flowers by Ray and Julie (formerly Foster's Flowers) for 25 years. He loved flower design and had a beautiful garden that he spent hours cultivating. Ray was also a volunteer for Hospice of York for 20 years and served on their board. He had a caring heart and helped countless people. Ray could light up a room with his smile.
Ray was predeceased by his brother Arthur of Seabrook, N.H.
He is survived by his daughter Lisa (deMars) Fitta and her husband Bob of Danville, N.H., and his two loving granddaughters, Melissa and Kelsey Fitta; brother David Demars and sister-in-law and business partner Julie Demars of Epping, N.H., and brother Roland Demars of Michigan.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate Ray's life at his home on Saturday, April 5, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Donations in Ray's memory may be made to Hospice of York, Beacon Hospice or the National Brain Tumor Foundation.
Ernest F. Fiske
YORK BEACH - Ernest F. Fiske, 90, of 35 Ocean Ave. Extension, died Tuesday, March 18, 2008, in York Hospital.
He was born May 10, 1917, in Keene, N.H., son of Leroy E. and Frances (Luther) Fiske. He graduated from Keene Teachers (Keene State) College and earned his master's degree at the University of New Hampshire. He did further graduate study at Laval University in Quebec, Wesleyan University in Connecticut and Harvard. He taught English in high schools in New Hampshire, Connecticut, New Jersey and, for four years, was a teacher and school organist at Asheville School in North Carolina. For nearly 16 years he was English Department Head at Columbia High School in Maplewood, N.J.
In 1942 he married Lorraine Stewart of Tilton, N.H., in the church in which she was the organist and he was the choir director. They spent many summers with their sons in York Beach and after his retirement in 1976 they made York Beach their permanent home. For 47 summers he was the organist at Trinity Episcopal Church in York Harbor and for 30 of those years he was also the choir director. For 17 years he was the choir director and organist at the First Parish Congregational Church in York. He was a member of the American Guild of Organists and the Seacoast Community Chorus.
He leaves his wife of 65 years, Lorraine S. Fiske; two sons, Robert Fiske and his wife Rulian Fiske of Hopedale, Mass., and their daughter Shanyn Fiske of Philadelphia, Pa., and James Fiske of Westford, Mass., and his daughter Julia of Somerville, Mass.
A brother, Roy Fiske, and two sisters, Helen Fiske and Grace Fiske Martin, predeceased him.
A memorial service for Mr. Fiske was held March 29 in the First Parish Congregational Church. Burial will be private in the First Parish Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the First Parish Congregational Church Music Program, 180 York St., York, ME 03909 or to the York Public Library, 15 Long Sands Rd., York, ME 03909. Visit http://www.lucaseatonfuneralhom.com/.
Frederick W. McAfee
CAPE NEDDICK - Frederick W. McAfee, 83, of 4 Triple Oaks Drive and a former resident of Clifton Heights, Pa., died Monday, March 17, 2008, at York Hospital.
He was born in Greenville, son of John W. and Amanda (Dahlen) McAfee. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. During his time he served aboard the USS Sante Fe and was proud to be a part of the daring rescue of 833 men from the sinking USS Ben Franklin off the coast of Japan.
In his younger years he worked in the logging industry in the Maine woods. After his return from World War II he worked at Boeing Aircraft in Pennsylvania for many years before retiring. He enjoyed spending time at Moosehead Lake, fishing and visiting with family and friends. He was said to be the sweetest man you could ever meet and he was loved by all who new him.
His wife, Clara E. (Victor) (Kirkwood) McAfee, predeceased him.
He leaves two sons, Larry W. McAfee and his wife Kathleen E. McAfee of York, and Frederick P. McAfee and his wife Joan L. McAfee of Dover-Foxcroft; a sister, Esther Thornton of Maryville, Ill.; four grandchildren, Ryan and Matthew McAfee, Eric McAfee and his wife Siobhan McAfee and Dawn Wark; two great-grandchildren, Ashley and Todd Wark; two step-grandchildren, Tammy Harris and Jennie Davidson; two step-great-grandchildren, Jordyn Cronin and Alana Harris, and his first wife, Louise Yonkin.
The funeral home service at Lucas and Eaton Funeral Home, http://www.lucaseatonfuneralhome.com/, was held March 25. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.
Nancy A. Vokey
YORK - Nancy Arleen Vokey died peacefully on Monday, March 24, 2008, at York Hospital with her loving family at her bedside.
She was born Sept. 2, 1931, in Philadelphia, Pa., and was raised with her four sisters on Morris Street in Everett, Mass. As children, they enjoyed riding bikes and sledding together. Nancy was part of the youth group at Grace Episcopal Church in Everett. She sang in the church choir, where she met her future husband, Charles Vokey.
After they married they moved to Wilmington, Mass., where they raised their three children, David, Donna and Denise. When their children were grown they moved to York, at first near their beloved Nubble Light, then to Beech Ridge Road, where Nancy owned and operated Countryside Antiques until she retired. Nancy so enjoyed taking drives and stopping at yard sales in search of treasure, a favorite pastime of both Nancy and her husband Charlie. She could identify almost any bird and would enjoy hours of watching them come to her feeders. She had a special love for her dogs. Nancy and Charlie enjoyed square dancing, and motorcycling together, especially riding the scenic Kancamagus Highway.
Nancy had a kind soul and a generous spirit, and she went out of her way to make everyone feel welcome and at ease. She always had a kind word to say, and she loved her family unconditionally. She accepted people as they are, and took nothing for granted.
Nancy was a woman of incredible strength, dignity and determination. She enjoyed family holidays and get-togethers and would talk about each detail of a party for weeks afterwards. Nancy kept her quick wit and sense of humor to the very end.
Nancy was predeceased by her parents, Maisie (Cuddeford) and Walter R. Styles, and her sisters Duffy LaCau and Betty Lindh.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years, Charles Vokey of York; her son David Vokey and his wife Cindy of South Berwick, and her daughters Donna Pennachi and her husband Michael of Kittery, and Denise Patterson and her husband Ed of Pittsfield, N.H. She cherished her grandchildren, Michael Pennachi, Eric, Kyle, Ryan, and Jessica Vokey, Jeremy Patterson, Tom and Kelly McLin, and one great-grandson, Alex Williams. She is survived by two loving sisters, Ruth Lindh of Peabody, Mass., and Sally Woods and her husband Rich of York. She had two brothers-in-law, George Vokey and his wife Grace and Don Vokey and his wife Bev, all of Florida. She shared a very special relationship with her niece Mary Vokey, whom she considered a daughter, and her "nephew" Paul from England who dubbed Nancy "The Countess." Nancy is also survived by several devoted nieces and nephews.
A graveside service for Mrs. Vokey was held in the First Parish Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nancy's memory to the Grace Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 490285, Everett, MA 02149. Visit www.lucaseatonfuneralhome.com
