MILFORD-- Gary Michael Stetson, 72, of Milford, passed away at home surrounded by family on April 29, 2019, following a long and courageous battle with lung and kidney diseases. Gary was born in Brunswick, ME on October 20, 1946 the son of Mildred (Smith) and Joseph Stetson. Many of his childhood years were spent with his parents, grandmother and 7 siblings at Mere Point, a significant location for Gary that was remembered fondly and revisited often through his life.
Growing up, Gary loved his time with family and friends at hunting camp at Loon Bay. Gary graduated from Brunswick High School in 1966 and enlisted in the US Navy. After serving his country he returned to Maine, where following in his father’s foot steps, he enrolled in the New England Regional Waste Water Institute. Most of his career, 33 years, was spent as the Superintendent of Waste Water Treatment for the City of Old Town. Here, he proudly implemented and oversaw the program from 1977, when he moved his family to Old Town, until 2011 when he retired. During his tenure, he was often recognized for the quality of his work, notably receiving the NEWEA Operator of the Year for Maine award in 2004. Gary was also honored with the Legend of the Links Green Jacket at the 2009 fall MEWEA conference. The green jacket is presented to an individual that exemplifies the true spirit of teamwork and has a passion for not only for the sport of golf but for the water environment.
Gary became well known and even more widely liked in the city of Old Town, not only for his role as public servant but also as a youth hockey coach, coaching his 4 sons and many of their friends, as well as, working in his spare time at Tim’s Little Big Store.
Gary was a kind and relaxed man who enjoyed his time of leisure, especially traveling with his wife Brenda to Hawaii, Caribbean cruises, coastal Maine and camping. He always looked forward to his annual golfing trip with the guys to Mactaquac in New Brunswick. At home, Gary enjoyed puttering around, planning small and large projects, particularly his vegetable gardens. He was an avid New England sports fan and while he loved rooting on the Patriots, Bruins and Celtics, his favorite was enjoying a cold beer on a summer afternoon while cheering for the Red Sox and playing cribbage.
Gary is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Brenda; his four sons: Gary and Tanya, Joseph and Charity, Matthew, Adam and Ashley; stepdaughter: Kristy and Corey; grandchildren: Joseph, Evan, Azalea, Sophie; siblings: Linda, Jodie, Robert; special brother in law: Tim and Diane; and his favorite canine companion, doggy daughter: Abby. In addition to his parents, Gary is predeceased by his siblings: Joseph, Donald, Nancy, Sally; and stepson: Corey.
Brenda would like to extend a special thanks to Gary’s nurse Pam Frank for her dedication, direction and care through years of home dialysis and to Beacon hospice nurses: Janice and Mary.
Friends may call 5-7PM Monday May 6, 2019 at the Birmingham Funeral Home 438 Main St Old Town where a funeral service with military honors will be conducted at 11AM. A luncheon will follow at the Holy Family Parish Hall.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Maine Jr. Black Bears Hockey program PO Box 2087 Bangor, ME 04401 www.mainejrblackbears.com or your own favorite charity.
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