William B. Kirkpatrick

William B. Kirkpatrick, 86, of Cumberland Foreside, died on September 30 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, Scarborough after a four-year battle with cancer, with which he lived with courage and grace. Mr. Kirkpatrick is survived by his loving wife of 36 years and childhood friend, Sally Means Kirkpatrick.

Mr. Kirkpatrick was born on February 17, l924, in Newton Highlands, MA, to Donald Kirkpatrick and Marjorie Bradford Kirkpatrick, who died in childbirth. He and his older brother Donald were raised by their Auntie, Alice L. Bradford, in Portland. Mr. Kirkpatrick attended the Portland Public Schools (McLellan, Butler, and Deering High) from 1929 to 1939, and Governor Dummer Academy, in S. Byfield, MA, from which he graduated in 1942.

Mr. Kirkpatrick attended Williams College for a year, joining the DKE fraternity, before enlisting in the U.S. Army, 8th Army Air Force, 388th Bomb Group, in which he served from 1943 to 1945, as a T/Sgt., Radio Operator, and B-17 Gunner. Based in Bury St. Edmonds, England, he flew 33 combat missions over Germany, which earned him the coveted 8th Air Force's membership in the Lucky Bastards Club and the Air Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters. He received an Honorable Discharge in September 1945. After the war, Mr. Kirkpatrick attended Bowdoin College, earning his B.S. in Economics in 1948.

In 1951 Mr. Kirkpatrick married Priscilla P. Gay of Cape Elizabeth, and had three children, Martha, Alice and Timothy.

Mr. Kirkpatrick was employed by the Canal National Bank from 1948 to 1976, starting as a bank teller and eventually serving as Executive Vice President, Senior Lending Officer, and Director of the Bank, Holding Co. & Mortgage Co. He attended the Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University in 1960. From 1976 until his retirement in 1989, Mr. Kirkpatrick was the Senior Vice President, Senior Commercial Loan Officer for the Maine National Bank. For Mr. Kirkpatrick, banking was a noble profession that served to build a vibrant and healthy community. He was proud of the role he played in helping new businesses become successful enterprises, many of which are thriving today. He mentored numerous younger bankers during his career, and was highly regarded for his wise counsel, integrity and sound judgment.

In addition to his professional career, he served on the boards of many community and nonprofit organizations, including: the Greater Portland Public Development Commission and the Portland Zoning Board of Appeals from the early 1960’s until 1972, serving as chairman for both organizations; the New England Council for Economic Development; and as Director and President of the Greater Portland Credit Bureau. He served on the Prudential Committee of State Street Church in Portland; was a Trustee of the Portland Symphony Orchestra, and a Trustee and Treasurer of Waynflete School. He served on the Board of Directors of the Maine Savings & Loan Assn., C.H. Robinson Paper Co., Laverdiere’s Super Drug Stores, and the Maine Charitable Mechanics Assn.

Mr. Kirkpatrick was a longtime member of the Cumberland Club, serving as president from 1986 to 1988. During his career, he could often be found at the Club enjoying his many professional and personal friendships over lunch. He was also a longtime member of the Portland Country Club.

In 1974 he married Sally Means Ives and became stepfather to her three children, Rollin, Sally and Sydney.

Skiing and grand opera were two of Kirk's greatest joys, and he enjoyed sharing these passions with his family and friends. He loved spending weekends at his ski chalet at Sugarloaf, “Auntie's Acres,” which he built in 1967. He was a proud member of Sugarloaf's 70+ ski club, skiing into his early eighties. His early skiing buddies will remember him riding the t-bar with his daughters, singing favorite opera arias.

Tennis, golf, bridge, and taking family and friends out on his boat to explore the islands of Casco Bay were also favorite past-times. He loved to travel, particularly to European cities, and had an active curiosity about culture, history and the arts. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family. He will be remembered for his courteousness, common sense, his ready sense of humor and the way he found joy in daily life.

Mr. Kirkpatrick is survived by his wife Sally; his daughters, The Rev. Martha G. Kirkpatrick of Lincolnville, and Alice B. Kirkpatrick and husband Richard Connelly of Pownal; his stepchildren: H. Rollin Ives and wife Lynda of Sacramento, CA, Sally I. Decatur and husband Kenneth of S. Portland; and Sydney Ives and husband Samuel Merrill of Cumberland Foreside; eight step grandchildren; four step great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Dorothy Kirkpatrick; several nieces and nephews; and Bonnie Bean and Tim’s special family of Lincoln.

He was predeceased by his son Timothy, brother Donald "Tam" B. Kirkpatrick, half-brother George S. Kirkpatrick, and step-brother Robert S. Patton.

Mr. Kirkpatrick and his family wish to express their deep gratitude for the wonderful care he received from the nurses, doctors and other care providers of the Maine Center for Cancer Medicine, the Gosnell House and Hospice of Southern Maine.

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, October 16 at 11 a.m. at State Street Church, 159 State St., Portland, with a reception following at the Portland Country Club in Falmouth.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Kirk’s memory may be sent to:

Hospice of Southern Maine

180 U.S. Route One #1

Scarborough, ME 04074

or

State Street Church

159 State Street

Portland, ME 04101

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Kirk’s guest book.