Obituaries

Rudolph "Rudy" E. Freitag

YORK HARBOR - Rudolph "Rudy" E. Freitag, 80, loving husband, father and grandfather, of 45 Norwood Farms Road, died Thursday, July 10, 2008, at home with his family by his side.

Born Aug. 20, 1927, in Chicago, Ill., son of Kurt and Else (Porstman) Freitag, he served in the Merchant Marines at the end of World War II and also in the Korean War. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1956 and later worked as a mechanical engineer at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard before retiring in 1997.

He was a member of St. Christopher's Church, was active in the cursillo community and attended the York ultreya.

Rudy was also a former member of the York Planning Board and served on the town Budget Committee for many years. He liked spending time with family and friends, and especially enjoyed meeting his relatives while traveling to Germany and Austria in 1998.

He leaves his wife, Mary K. (Bret) Freitag; a son, Kurt Freitag and his wife, Michele, of York; a daughter, Lisa Ranauro, and her husband, Bill, of Walpole, N.H.; a daughter-in- law, Joanne Freitag, of York, and seven grandchildren, Michael, Thomas and John Freitag, Daniel and Emily Ranauro and Anna and Kaitlyn Freitag.

A son, Greg Freitag, predeceased him.

Calling hours for Rudy were held July 16 in the Lucas & Eaton Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian Burial on July 17 in St. Christopher's Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Beacon Hospice, 42 Brickyard Court, York, ME 03909, or Helping Hands, c/o St. Christopher's Church, 1 Lilac Lane, York, ME 03909.

 

Rebecca Pease Davie

YORK - Rebecca Pease Davie, 48, of 3 Samuel Raynes Path, died Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at York Hospital after a spirited and courageous battle with cancer.

She was born April 4, 1960 in Waterbury, Conn., daughter of Robert N. Davie and Ellen I. Torrance. She graduated from Westover School in 1978, and from Ithaca College in 1982. 

Becky was the owner of Mother Brown Shoes, a graphic design and art studio, and worked as a graphic designer. In addition to producing marketing materials for many well-known area businesses, she was also in charge of summer programs at Berwick Academy, a school she loved and felt a deep personal attachment to. She was also a talented fine artist and illustrator, having just finishing the design and illustrations for a soon-to-be published children's book. Her art reflected her personality: full of life, color and energy.

Becky was a spirited and charismatic woman who touched everyone she met. She had the amazing skill and grace to make you feel wanted and comfortable wherever you were, while at the same time smoothly extracting your life story. More than anything, she loved being a mother to her three beautiful daughters. She thrilled in their achievements and celebrated each one.

She enjoyed the outdoors, especially being near the ocean and being in the mountains. She enjoyed hiking, skiing, kayaking, sailing and swimming, and was incredibly active - skiing the back country bowls of Aspen this March, and swimming in the rough ocean surf off York Harbor on New Year's Day. She was a member of the First Parish Church and took great comfort in the life and the message of the church.

Whenever you were with Becky, you just knew that whatever was happening was going to be more fun because she was there.

Becky was diagnosed with cancer in March of 2007. She accepted this news with the determination that she would do whatever she could do to fight it. She went through many rounds of chemotherapy, and in her typical style used the occasion to host a revolving lunch club of friends and family at the York Oncology center.

She leaves her husband of 19 years, Jeffrey N. Hazen; three daughters, Amelia S. D. Hazen, Eliza I. D. Hazen and Abigail N. D. Hazen, all of York; two brothers, Robert N. Davie of East Haddam, Conn., and Jonathan T. Davie of Eliot; four sisters, Laura D. Tobin of Montclair, N.J., Ellen D. Leavitt of Reno, Nevada, Melissa D. Davie of Tenafly, N.J., and Sarah H. Davie of Hanover, N.H.; her father, Robert N. Davie of Middlebury, Conn., and her mother, Ellen Torrance of Southbury, Conn. She also leaves brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends; she loved them all dearly.

A memorial service for Becky was held July 19 in the First Parish Congregational Church with Lucas & Eaton Funeral Home directing arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the New Hampshire SPCA, P.O. Box 196, Stratham, NH 03885.

 

Jeannine Wright

YORK - Jeannine Wright, 75, died Sunday, July 20, 2008, in the Hyder Family Hospice House in Dover, N.H.

She was born June 14, 1933, in Kansas City, Mo., daughter of Gale Leroy and Rita E. (Lauderdale) Richardson. She had worked as a computer senior systems specialist for Chase Manhattan Bank in New York City before retiring.

A son, William H. Noland, predeceased her.

There are no funeral services planned. Memorial contributions may be made to D.A.V., P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250. Visit www.lucaseatonfuneralhome.com.    

 

Joseph William Pepperrell Frost

ELIOT - Joseph William Pepperrell Frost of Eliot passed away peacefully on July 5, 2008, from complications after a fall from his tractor.

Born in 1923, he was son of the late Henry Martin Frost and Annie (Eldridge) Frost.

He is survived by his daughters, Elizabeth Pepperell Frost and Susan Dennett Frost; his sisters Mary Frost Waterhouse and Mara Frost Marshall, along with several nephews and nieces, all of Maine.

His devoted wife of more than 50 years, the former Rebecca Kramer, died in 2001, and his brother, John E. Frost, another accomplished local historian, in 1997.

A businessman and lifelong enthusiast and advocate for American history and literature, Frost was a direct descendant of Lt. Gen. Sir William Pepperrell, Bt., celebrated victor of the battle of Louisbourg in 1745, and also the cousin and lifelong friend of the great American poet Robert Frost.

He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II and was subsequently commissioned in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He also served as a Dedimus Justice for the state of Maine.

Born in an ancestral home that was one of the earliest houses in Eliot, Frost spent most of his life as a resident of York County. After beginning his education in a one-room schoolhouse, he continued his studies at Boston University, the University of Maine, the University of New Hampshire and McIntosh Business College. He began his business career in management positions with American Twine and Fabric Corp. and the Pepperell Mills in Saco. After serving as assistant payroll superintendent for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, he spent 20 years as purchasing agent for Seaward Construction Company.

He retired as assistant to the superintendent of schools in York, where he was responsible for facilities and business operations.

Active in civic affairs throughout his life, Frost was especially well known for his unflagging efforts to preserve the early history of Maine and the Piscataqua region. He had also served as president of the Portsmouth Athenaeum and the historical societies of both Eliot and Kittery; he was also chairman of the New England Autograph Society and Honorary Past Grand Master and historian at St. John's Masonic Lodge of Portsmouth, N.H. He had been a governor of the Order of Founders and Patriots of America and president of the Society of Piscataqua Pioneers, and was a member of the Society of the Cincinnnati and the Sons of the American Revolution. He had served as a member of the boards of directors at the Maine Historical Society and the Robert Frost home in Derry, N.H. Frost's great-grandfather had been a founding member in 1845 of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, of which Frost himself was a lifetime member in turn. Before building a home on family property in Eliot in 1972, Frost had raised his family in the historic mansion of Sir William Pepperell in Kittery Point, which his father had purchased in early 1940s.

Joe Frost surrounded himself with books. They and their authors were his friends and his gateways to the past, which he delighted in visiting. A supremely knowledgeable collector, he shared his love generously, charming friends and audiences with recitations from his favorite authors and donating rare books, manuscripts, art and artifacts to cultural and historical institutions throughout New England. A skillful orator who stood six feet, three inches tall, he was always at home at the podium, where he would peer over his glasses to deliver his hallmark dry wit. No one who knew him will ever forget the grin that used to appear over his dimpled chin as he waited for his listeners to catch a clever turn of phrase.

"In retirement, he became known to many during his hours at the counter of the Book Guild in downtown Portsmouth, where he could share his enthusiasms and expertise with novice and experienced collectors."

Charitable donations may be made to the Portsmouth Athenaeum or the charity of the donor's choice. At his request, a memorial service will be held at the St. John's Lodge No. 1, 351 Middle St., Portsmouth - the oldest continuously operating Masonic lodge in the Americas - on a date to be published.

 

Kimberly G. Glover

ELIOT - Kimberly G. Glover, 42, of 24 Imperial Drive, died accidentally from the results of an automobile accident, Sunday, July 20, 2008.

She was born March 6, 1966, in Portsmouth, N.H., daughter of Leon G. Benton and Donna (Love) Garwood. She was a graduate of Bryant & Stratton College and worked as a nurses' aide at York Hospital.

She leaves her husband of 20 years, Timothy M. Glover; a daughter, Rachel M. Glover of Eliot; a son, Timothy J. Glover of Eliot; her mother, Donna Garwood and her husband, James, of Dalton, N.Y.; her father, Leon G. Benton of Kittery; a half-brother, J.J. Garwood of Rochester, N.Y., and four half-sisters, Peggy Thomas of Rochester, N.Y., Margie Garwood of Buffalo, N.Y., Catherine Hodgdon of Hampton, N.H., and Brooke Garwood of Dalton, N.Y.

She was a wonderful person with a very big heart and cared for others.

A graveside service for Kimberly will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 25, in the First Parish Cemetery, York, with Lucas & Eaton Funeral Home directing arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to York Hospital, 15 Hospital Drive, York, ME 03909.

 

John M. Cross

YORK HARBOR - John "Jack" Milton Cross, 93, of 2 Victoria Court, Sentry Hill, died Friday, July 18, 2008. 

He was born January 2, 1915, in Little Falls, N.J., son of the late Robert and Mabel (Savidge) Cross. Dr. Cross was a graduate of the University of Maryland, where he earned his Ph.D., and Rutgers University, where he became professor of chemistry at the College of Pharmacy, serving as chairman of the Chemistry Department and retiring as professor emeritus.

He leaves a daughter, Merrill A. Efstathiou of York; three sons, John M. Cross and his wife Diana of Boise, Idaho, James B. Cross and his wife Margie of Vashon Island, Wash., and Philip D. Cross and his wife Lynn of Portsmouth, N.H., and eight grandchildren, Andrew, Colin, Constantine, Daniel, Ian, Arianna, Jill and Caroline.

A memorial service for Jack will be held at a later date in the First Parish Congregational Church in York. Memorial contributions may be made to Beacon Hospice, 42 Brickyard Court, York, ME 03909 or to the First Parish Congregational Church, 180 York St., York, ME 03909. Visit lucaseatonfuneralhome.com.

 

John R. Zappala

OGUNQUIT - John R. Zappala, 74, of Ogunquit, died at Hyder Family Hospice House in Dover, N.H., on Tuesday, July 15, 2008.

Born in Wakefield, Mass., on May 5, 1934, he was the son of the late Salvatore and Ann (McLaughlin) Zappala.

Mr. Zappala graduated from Wakefield High School in 1952 and Boston University School of Business Administration in 1956. He served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959.  He owned and operated The Ship Restaurant in Lynnfield for 25 years. Upon retirement, John made his home in Maine and Puerto Rico with his beloved dog, Valentino.

Mr. Zappala was the brother of Mary Paiva and Dennis Flynn of Wakefield, Mass.; Paul Zappala of New York City, Robert Zappala of Billerica, Mass., Susan Zappala of Rowley, Mass., Marianne Zappala of Methuen, Mass., Thomas Zappala of Stoneham, Mass., and Lisa Zappala of Derry, N.H. He is also survived by his stepmother, Gloria Zappala, of Wakefield, and many nieces and nephews. 

He was predeceased by his brother, William Zappala.

Funeral services and burial were private. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA  01701.

 

Karol Lee F. Walker

YORK - Karol Lee F. Walker, 82, of 56 Ferry Lane South, passed away Sunday, July 22, 2008, at home with her family by her side. 

She was born Aug. 18, 1925, in Belmont, Mass., to William LeVan and Clara Mae Irene (Willard) Fisher. She was the summa cum laude graduate of Berwick Academy in 1942. She went into nursing at Mass General School of Nursing. Upon completion, she began to practice nursing alongside her husband, Dr. Arnold Eben Tourje' Walker, who passed away in April of 2001.

Her greatest loves were her family, numerous family pets and flower gardening. She was precise in all she did, down to the last detail!

She leaves two sons, Arnold Chris Walker and his wife Eloise (Konchar) Walker of Nashville, Tenn., and David Glen Walker of York; three daughters, E. Anne Bramhall and her husband Randy of Steubenville, Ohio, Deborah Lynne Zerbinopoulos and her husband Richard of York, and Terrie Lee Walker of Eliot. 

She was predeceased in 1996 by her eldest son, Rev. Hugh Eben Tourje' Walker, wife Marilynn (Konchar) Walker.

A memorial service for Karol will be held Saturday, Aug. 16, in the First Parish Congregational Church, York, at a time to be announced. A reception will follow in Moody Hall.

Lucas & Eaton Funeral Home, www.lucaseatonfuneralhome.com, is directing arrangements.