Following graduation from Canton High School in 1942, Marland enlisted in the U.S. Army, attached to the Air Corp. Soon after completing radio training at Coyne Electrical School, Chicago, he was deployed to England, returning to Portland on V-J Day, and discharged in November 1945.
In 1946, Marland entered the University of Maine, graduating in the class of 1950 with a B.S. in Animal Husbandry and elected to Alpha Zeta honor society. On June 26, 1947, he married Betty Cobb of East Sumner, spending 55 wonderful years together; Betty died on July 16, 2002. Marland was a 4-H agent and UM Cooperative Extension educator for 31 years, first in Kennebec and later in Knox-Lincoln counties.
Marland was well respected by his friends and colleagues, a man of many talents who willingly helped others, and was deeply loved by his family and those closest to him. During his lifetime, he built three homes for his family: in East Winthrop where he operated Whites Apple Orchard; in Owl’s Head where he raised Christmas trees, blueberries, & strawberries; and in North Jay where he enjoyed restoring antique canoes, furniture, and cars, including Model A Fords. Marland was an avid fly fisherman and also spent many hours learning the art of making Native American Black Ash baskets, from cutting the tree to stripping the bark, soaking, pounding and weaving the strips. Marland and Betty traveled by road to all the continental United States, much of Canada, and to Central America, often with members of the Holiday Rambler Club. They especially enjoyed square dancing and golfing and worked 20 seasons at Fryeburg Fair as heads of Livestock Camping. In recent years, Marland and his companion and fellow retired UM Extension Educator, Rae Clark-McGrath, traveled the world from Australia and New Zealand, two favorites, to Europe and Russia.
In addition to his parents and wife, Marland was predeceased by his brothers Erlon, John, Fred, Paul, Herbert and Byron. He is survived by his daughter, Deborah Probert and her husband, Russell, of Farmington and Utah; son Charles and wife, Mona, of Florida; son Mark and wife, Lynne, of Lisbon; grandchildren Christopher Probert and wife Brittany of Utah, Michelle Probert and husband, James Creighton of Brunswick; Stephanie Callan and husband, Daniel of Florida; Stephen Tripp and wife, Crystal of New Gloucester; Gregory Tripp and wife, Tiffany of Utah; Lauren Vega and husband Jesus of Utah; Allison Johnson and husband Tyler of Utah; thirteen great grandchildren; brother, Gordon of Strong; sister, Jean Harris of Texas; sisters-in-law Jeanette Conant of Auburn, Pauline Martin of Lewiston and Doris Tripp of Farmington; and his companion of over 15 years, Rae of Cape Elizabeth. In addition, Marland is survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.
Memorial services will be held at Bradbury Memorial Chapel, Canton Point, June 15, 2019, at 11:00 A.M. with reception to follow at Canton Historical Society Hall, Rte. 108, Canton. Burial will be at Maine’s Veterans’ Cemetery Annex, Augusta, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bradbury Memorial Chapel, in care of Arthur Chamberlain, 502 Canton Point Rd, Canton, ME 04221, for preservation of the historic chapel next to the Tripp's old family farm.
Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to sign Marland’s online guest book.
