Arthur Wolford Townsend

Eastport – Arthur W. Townsend, 84, passed away Friday, February 26, 2010 at Calais Regional Hospital. Arthur was born in Marion on February 11, 1926, one of thirteen children of Clarence and Jennette (Rice) Townsend. At the age of 16 Arthur became a welder in the Portland Shipyards until he was old enough to enter the military. He served his country during WWII in the U.S. Navy. After the war, Arthur returned back to Eastport and married his sweetheart, Reta McPhail. He worked as a lumberjack for many years until they moved to Connecticut where he worked at Pratt & Whitney for 20 years. They returned back to Maine and Arthur began his career with the Maine State Highway Department where he drove truck for over 20 years, retiring in 1988. In his spare time, Arthur enjoyed riding ATV’s, square dancing and tending to the garden. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his loving wife Reta Townsend. Surviving are his two daughters, Sandra Gawlak of Meriden, CT, and Judy Townsend of Edmunds; his siblings, Muriel Edwards of Marion, Joseph Townsend of FL, Patricia Bridges of Princeton, Connie Barnes of R.I., and Wallace Townsend of FL; three grandchildren, Karen Reed and her husband Brian of Meriden, CT, Brian Gawlak and his wife Cynthia of Wallingford, CT, and Daniel Gawlak and his wife Stacy of Meriden, CT; five great-grandchildren, Jamie and Ricky Reed, and Kayla, Samantha and Danielle Gawlak; and numerous nieces and nephews. A private burial will take place in the Dennysville Cemetery. A celebration of Arthur’s life will be announced in the summer. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Home, Calais & Eastport.


Cemetery:
Dennysville Cemetery
Cemetery Road
Dennysville, ME 04628 (map/driving directions)