Eugene Markee Townsend

Calais – Eugene M. Townsend, 89, beloved husband of Patricia Smith Townsend, passed away on Friday, December 18, 2009 at a Bangor hospital. Gene was born in Calais on February 7, 1920, son of the late Albert J. and Elizabeth Markee Townsend Griffin. Gene grew up in Calais and graduated from Calais Academy, Class of 1937. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at the outbreak of World War II and served in England, North Africa and Italy. During his years of service in the Air Corps and while being qualified as a B-17 engineer, his artistic talents were soon discovered and he was enlisted to put the names and art work, known as “nose art”, on many of his squadron aircraft. Several web-sites featuring much of his work have been created by military historians. After discharge from the service in September, 1945, he attended the Randolph School of Art in Hartford, CT, and later worked in the experimental jet division of Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. Gene and his wife Pat enjoyed traveling and they spent a number of years in the south where he was employed by Florida Advertising Co. of St. Augustine. He also established his own sign business and Calais and continued with that work for many years. Later, Gene and Pat spent many winter seasons in Florida and maintained a home in St. Augustine Beach, returning to Maine each summer. Gene, along with his friend Jay Hinson, purchased the Machias Valley News Observer in 1967 and as co-owners and co-publishers of the newspaper, enjoyed many years of a great and successful business relationship. Gene was a long time member and past president of the Calais Lions Club, the Frontier Lodge I.O.O.F. of Baileyville and a life member of Sherman Bros. Post #3 American Legion of Calais. Over the years he enjoyed many outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, boating and camping. He had a special love of the St. Croix River and the many lakes in the area. Gene was predeceased by his parents and his step-father Leo Griffin; a brother Verne of Denver, CO; sister Erdine Claridge of Calais; a very special great uncle and aunt, Grafton and Eunice Grearson of Calais, with whom he spent many years of his youth. Surviving are his loving wife of 60 years, Patricia (Smith) Townsend; sister Lois Hardy and her family of Enfield, CT; brothers-in-law Alan Smith of Calais and Donald Smith of Lake Worth, FL; a special niece Gayle Lindsay and her family of St. Stephen, NB; and many nieces and nephews.


Cemetery:
Calais Cemetery
South St.
Calais, ME 04619 (map/driving directions)



Services:
11:00AM at Calais United Methodist Church on Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009 (map/driving directions)