Nathaniel Cobb

Augusta – Nathaniel T. “Nat" Cobb, 90 formerly of Waterville, peacefully passed at the Maine Veterans' Nursing Home in Augusta and is now with his loving wife and the Lord in Heaven. He was born in Sangerville, Me on March 13, 1923 a son of the late Freeman N. and Margaret (Myshrall) Cobb.

Nat attended Dexter schools, was a Graduate of Thomas College receiving degrees in Accounting and Business

Administration, and Graduated from the American Legion College in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1954. In 1942 He married

Madeline Knowles and together they raised five children. He worked as the Business Manager for the Guy Gannett

Publishing Company DBA Central Maine Morning Sentinel for 39 years retiring in 1986.

Nat began his life long career of service on February 1, 1943, when he entered the army during WWII, serving his country until November 14, 1945, where he was honorably discharged at the rank of Sargent. He was part of the South West Pacific

Campaigns, New Guinea, Archipelago Bismarck, Philippines, Leyte and Luzon and received Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbon four Battle Stars, Bronze Arrow, Philippine Liberation Ribbon two Battle Stars, Presidential Unit Citation, Good

Conduct and Victory Medals.

Nat was a member of the Parish of the Holy Spirit, Sacred Heart, Waterville, ME serving as a Liturgical Minister and

Lay Minister of the Holy Eucharist and served as a the President of the Sacred Heart Parish Council. He was also

invited as to read Holy Scripture at the National Memorial Service in 1985 which was held in Salt Lake City, Utah while

he was serving as Department Chaplain of the American Legion.

Nat served the State of Maine and the City of Waterville in may capacities over the years, including being a Charter

Member of the Administrative Society in Portland where he received the highest award of “Diamond Merit”, was a

Charter Member YMCA Industrial Management Club and served on the Executive Board of the Waterville Area, served on the City of Waterville Public Safety Board, served as Chairman of the first Board of Commissioners, Waterville Housing

Authority and was a member of the first Board of Directors, Seton Village which was appointed by Bishop O’Leary of the

Catholic Diocese of Maine. He also was a Past President of the Waterville Osteopathic Hospital (Inland), Chairman of

the Salvation Army Board and was a Board Member for 20 years, served on the United Way Board of Directors on the

Budget Committee, as the Chairman of Business Division, as Chairman of the Industrial Employee Division and as a

Campaign Director and was an original Member of the Vocational Education Advisory Board.

Nat was a life member of the Elks Lodge 905, Waterville, past president of the Waterville Kiwanis Club, 70 year member of the Bourque-Lannigan American Legion Post No. 5 in Waterville serving many roles as Adjutant from 1948-1949,

Commander from 1953-1954, Post Finance Officer in the late 1950’s and was the editor of the newsletter for 10 years.

He was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Nat was an Officer for the department of Finance from 1954 to 1964, Department Adjutant from 1963 to 1966 and 1986 to

1989, was elected Honorary Past Commander in 1985, was the Editor of the Maine Legionnaire from 1961 to 1966 and 1986 to 1989 receiving first place in the Nation in 1987 and 1988 and also served as the Department Chairman of the Citizens Flag Alliance Committee. Additionally he was appointed National Vice Chairman of the Merchant Marine Commission, was the Legislative Liaison for U.S. Senators Margaret Chase Smith and George Mitchell, was on the American Legion Trust Committee for six years, and was a member of the Ye Steivos, Honor Society of Past Departments Adjutants and Past Department Commanders Club.

Nat worked for many Maine Governors, serving Governor Longley as the Chairman of the Veterans Small Business Loan

Authority, Governor Curtis on the Board of Directors for the Maine Veterans Homes, Governor McKernan on the Maine Veterans Loan authority Board, Governor King as his Personal Representative, developing a Master Plan for a New Maine

Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Governor Reed as a Founder of the Maine Veterans Cemetery and was the Author of the

book History of Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, donating all proceeds to the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Nat is survived by his sons David N. Cobb, Gary J. Cobb and Leonard F. Cobb, daughters Nancy Ann Fecteau and Susan M. Cobb seven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his loving wife Madeline, his brothers and sisters.

A celebration of his life will be held at Veilleux Funeral Home 8 Elm St. Waterville, ME on Tuesday December 10, 2013 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM with a service to be held by the Bourque-Lannigan American Legion Post 5 at 3 PM. A full military funeral and committal services will be held on Tuesday, May 6th, 2014 at Sacred Heart Church and the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery.