Richard Arnold Pullen Jr.

Bucksport and Baileyville – Richard A. Pullen Jr., 57, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 17, 2009 at his home in Bucksport. Richard was born in Randolph, ME on March 26, 1952. After graduating from the Gardiner Area High School, Class of 1970, he attended the University of Maine in Presque Isle and later transferred to the University of Maine in Farmington, receiving his Elementary Education degree in 1974. Rick was hired to teach the 6th grade for the Princeton Elementary School, where he has taught for 35 years. Mr. P. loved being around his students and coached at least one sport each of his 35 years of teaching, receiving several Coach of the Year awards. In 2009, Rick was the Assistant Coach for the Woodland Boys Basketball Class D and the Coach for the Woodland Girl’s Softball Class D, both winning the state championship for their first time. He was a former member of Lewey’s Island Lodge #138 A.F. & A.M. and the Anah Temple Shriners in Bangor. Rick will be remembered by his generosity and caring personality. His love for children led him to support an overseas child in need for over 20 years. Rick loved spending time with his grandchildren and family. Playing sports and attending sporting events was his passon. He was a wonderful son, husband, father, grandfather; brother, friend and teacher. Rick was predeceased by his father, Richard A. Pullen Sr.; paternal grandparents Harold and Annie Pullen; maternal grandparents Archie and Olga Farley; and his father-in-law, George Sonny Sprague. Surviving are his loving wife of over 27 years, Beth Pullen; his mother, Arlene Pullen of Gardiner; his two daughters whom he loved dearly, Marlene Greenlaw and her husband David of Bucksport, and Michelle Barnard and her husband David of Ellsworth; five grandchildren, Bethany, Megan and Lauren Greenlaw, and David and Patrick Barnard; his mother-in-law, Edith Sprague of Bucksport; two sisters, Jody Breton and her companion Kim Pushard of Gardiner and Barbara Zanks and her husband James of Stafford Springs, CT; a sister-in-law, Bonnie Gagner and her husband Robert of Glenburn; a niece, Emily Zanks; four nephews, Jeffrey and Joseph Zanks, and Robert and Billy Gagner; great-nephews, Beau and Rylan Gagner, and Cody and Kyle Zanks; great nieces, Kayla and Emily Gagner; and other numerous friends and relatives. Mr. P. also leaves behind his many students whose lives he’s touched. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Homes, Calais & Eastport.


Memorials:
Donations in Rick’s memory may be made to the Woodland High School Athletic Dept., 14 First Ave., Baileyville, ME 04694.


Cemetery:
Village Cemetery
Grand Lake Stream, ME 04637 (map/driving directions)



Services:
11:00AM at Princeton Elementary School on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 (map/driving directions)