Willis E. Redmond

Portland – Willis E. Redmond, 81, formerly of North Yarmouth, passed away after a brief illness at Maine Medical Center on Friday, May 15, 2015. He was born in Monmouth, ME on January 30, 1934, the son of Edna (Alexander) and Ralph C. Redmond.

Willis graduated from Stephens High School in Rumford. He was also a graduate of Gorham State Teachers College. He served in the U.S. Army and was a Korean War Veteran. Willis taught Industrial Arts in the Portland Public Schools for many years.

On June 8, 1957, Willis married Janet Hanscom. They raised three wonderful daughters and enjoyed 54 years of marriage. They fulfilled their dream of traveling cross-country multiple times together.

Mr. Redmond was the embodiment of a frugal Mainer. He is one of the last of a generation of Maine natives who didn’t waste a thing and reused everything he could. He enjoyed gardening/farming, woodworking, and was an avid fisherman. He liked collecting antiques, especially bottles and was an accomplished carpenter. His family & friends knew him to be a practical joker with a good sense of humor. Willis ran a personal, mobile sawmill and built their home in North Yarmouth in 1987. He also built his own lobster boat. As an adult he attended and was baptized at First Parish Congregational Church in Yarmouth. He was a former member of the Lions Club, AMVETS and Royal River Snowmobile Club.

He is survived by his daughters Kathryn (Vincent) Scalesse of Longview, WA; Carolyn Redmond of Jacksonville, FL; and Sharon (Matthew) Grover of North Yarmouth, ME. Also surviving are grandchildren Sarah Scalesse, Adam Scalesse, Zachary Grover and Alexander Grover as well as a great grandchild, Brayden Spencer; nephews Robin, Kim and Eric and a special friend Irene “Bunny” Harrington. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Ralph and Charles and his wife Janet in 2011.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Will’s life at the home of Sharon and Matthew Grover (74 Doughty Road, North Yarmouth) on Tues, May 19 from 4 to 7 pm. A graveside service will be held on Wed., May 20, 2015 at 2 pm, Abbots Mills Cemetery in Rumford. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association or your local Fire/Rescue Department. Arrangements are by Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth. To view a video collage of Will’s life and to share condolences, memories and tributes with his family, please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com .