Obituaries

Lucile K. Cleaves, 87
Full life of volunteerism

Lucile K. Cleaves 87, died peacefully at her home in Gorham on May 18, 2006.

Mrs. Cleaves was born Feb. 14, 1919. She was the daughter of Frank Eugene Cofran, Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Knight. Her childhood was spent in Newton Highlands, Mass. She moved to Portland with her family following the Depression and graduated from Deering High School in 1937.

Mrs. Cleaves worked as an accessory buyer for Smiley's and Grant Knowles in downtown Portland.

In 1942 she married (Col.) Robert E. Cleaves to whom she was married for 54 years, until his death in 1996. The couple started their family following his service in World War II. Raising a family, serving as hostess for the many affairs required of an active duty military wife, and volunteerism filled her days.

Col. and Mrs. Cleaves were the first husband and wife team to head the Government and Towns Units for the United Way Campaign. Mrs. Cleaves life-long commitment to community service continued in 1956 when she became a Brownie and Girl Scout leader at the Stevens Avenue Congregational Church.

For the next 24 years she led Brownie Troop 68, Junior and Cadette Troops 48 and 49, and Senior Troop 55. Her staff of assistant leaders included family members and friends. Known as Mrs. C. to her Senior Girl Scouts, she and her husband led Girl Scout trips to the World's Fairs, Canada, New York City, and Washington, D.C. Mrs. Cleaves just completed 50 years as an adult Girl Scout registrant. As a part of her Girl Scout Leadership, Mrs. Cleaves took Girl Scouts to the Maine Medical Center for volunteer work within Central Supply and the Laundry.

This began her 45 year commitment to Volunteer Services at the Maine Medical Center and to the Women's Board of the Maine General Hospital. Mrs. Cleaves accumulated over 15,500 hours of MMC volunteer hours and was the first recipient of the Betts Award, following Bettsanne Holmes, for whom the award was named.

Lucile K. Cleaves Many of her MMC volunteer hours went to the Coffee Shop where she did volunteer scheduling, and floor and counter service. Mrs. Cleaves was a long-time member of the Female Samaritan Association and served as its president several times. She recognized the need for this historical widows and children's charitable fund to move forward with the times, and actively worked to get the Association and its good works known among contemporary social service agencies.

Mrs. Cleaves was also a member of the Board of Directors for the Eunice Frye Home and its successor, the Eunice Frye Home Foundation. She gave many hours of devoted service and love to her little ladies as she called the Eunice Frye Home guests.

A member of the Stevens Avenue Congregational Church in Portland, Mrs. Cleaves was known as the Colonel's Lady and grandma of Grandma's Attic Treasures. She was loved and respected by many who admired her classic style and lady-like bearing. Mrs. Cleaves never left home without her white gloves, her exquisite manners, and her gorgeous smile.

Lucile Cleaves was predeceased by her husband Col. Robert E. Cleaves; and by her brother Frank Eugene Cofran, Jr.

She is survived by a daughter Roberta (Bobby Lu) Gray and her husband Larry of Gorham; a son Orman E. Cleaves and his wife Nina of Gorham; a daughter Elizabeth Cleaves of Tewksbury, Mass.; four grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

A celebration of her life was held at Jones, Rich and Hutchins Funeral Home, Portland. In memory of Lucile Cleaves, memorial donations may be made to: The Female Samaritan Association, The Eunice Frye Home Foundation c/o Carolyn Andrews, Treasurer, OR c/o Ethyl Wright, 70 Oak Street, P.O. Box 489, Westbrook, ME 04092 OR The Women's Board of the Maine General Hospital, Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall, Street Portland, ME 04102-3175.

James Wesley Pyle, 90
Had a passion for the outdoors

James Wesley Pyle, 90, of Gray, passed away on May 22, 2006, at Cedars Rehabilitation Unit in Portland.

Wes was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on Sept. 11, 1915, the son of Wesley and Mary (Hennessey)Pyle. He graduated from Radnor High School in Pennsylvania. He married Priscilla Worth April 30, 1960.

He worked as an insurance adjuster in Bangor and then later for the Immigration and Naturalization Service in Calais. Upon retirement, Wes moved with his wife Priscilla to Sebago and then to Gray.

Throughout his life, Wes had a passion for the outdoors including scouting, hiking, and hunting. His hobbies included hand loading and golfing. He was a former Maine Guide and was a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 68, NRA, the Lions Club of Sebago, where he received special distinction for his outstanding service. He also spent many years as a scout leader for the Katahdin Council.

He was predeceased by his youngest grandson, Adam Worth Sherlock. His seven younger siblings also predeceased him.

Wes is survived by his beloved wife, Priscilla Worth Pyle; daughter Priscilla F. Heitmann and husband, Peter of South Berwick; son, Robert Pyle and wife Miriam of Northeast Harbor; daughter, Elizabeth Worth Sherlock and husband, David of Gray. He is also survived by stepsons, Ted, William, Nathaniel, and David Choate, and Charles Fernald. He is survived by grandchildren, Erik Heitmann, Justin Heitmann, Louisa Pyle, Kyle Sherlock, Elena Sherlock, Elizaveta Sherlock, and Nina Sherlock; as well as his niece, Worth Douglas of Kittery.

A memorial service celebrating his life was held at Wilson Funeral Home in Gray.

Memorial contributions may be made honoring his grandson to: Adam Worth Sherlock Scholarship, Key Bank, Gray Plaza, Gray, Maine 04039.