Awards honor local leaders

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AUGUSTA – The Rev. John Civiello, well-known in the Bangor area and throughout the state, was one of the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award during the fourth annual Remember ME ceremony, put on by the Maine Health Care Association in the Hall of Flags.

Gov. John Baldacci presented Civiello with his certificate, but first the former associate pastor at St. John’s Catholic Church in Bangor had a few comments about the governor, to whom he had served First Communion.

“He was a bright little guy,” Civiello recalled. “I used to go out and shoot baskets with Governor Baldacci and he wanted to take a bite out of the rim, but he was having trouble getting to the rim.”

The retired priest also had words of praise for Baldacci.

“Without his compassion and care, people in this state would be hurting,” he said. “I want to take this opportunity to thank Governor Baldacci for his compassion.”

Civiello, the youngest of 12 children born to Italian immigrants in Millinocket, excelled in sports as a youth but found his academic progress hampered by visual problems. After ordination to the priesthood in 1968, Civiello underwent several cranial surgeries for a tumor.

He served as a priest in Bangor, at St. Mary’s in Westbrook, at St. Ann’s on Indian Island in Old Town, and at St. Patrick’s in Portland. He now resides at the Seventy-Five State Street facility in Portland, but is far from idle.

“A legendary storyteller, he immediately began to use his skills to provide support and humor to residents and staff,” according to the MHCA. “He rises daily at 5 a.m., walks to the Precious Blood Monastery where he celebrates Mass, then on to the YMCA for his daily swim. After many challenging years, he has found peace within his struggle.”

Also honored with Certificates of Lifetime Achievement were:

. Evelyn Fickett, Bangor, schoolteacher for more than 40 years.

. Earl Haines, Dexter, nuclear fuel development engineer, worked on the Manhattan Project and first two GE atomic plants.

. Sibyl Fotter, Bingham, worked as midwife with her mother, health officer for Eustis, founding member of Stratton-Eustis Health Council.

. Louise Libby, Bar Harbor, curator of Islesford Historical Museum, renovated 1918 building for the museum, librarian in Northeast Harbor.

. Constance MacPherson, Greenville, English teacher at Monson Academy and Foxcroft Academy, moderator for Monson United Church of Christ, board of directors for SAD 68.

. Dorothy Anderson, Augusta, missionary to Paraguay, Taiwan, the Philippines, Japan, the Dominican Republic and South Africa.

. Carroll “Pat” Bagley, Eagle Lake, World War II veteran, immigration officer and American Legion member.

. Roland Marriner, Camden, supervised German POWs in World War II, volunteered with police and fire departments in Camden, played in American Legion Band in film “Peyton Place,” commander of VFW Post.

. Evelyn Pottle, Eastport, schoolteacher for 56 years, 75-year member of Grange.

. Philip Thornton (posthumous award), Caribou, served in World War II, police officer in Rockland, Thomaston and Augusta, member and circus chairman for Shriners, Maine guide.

. Pauline Walls Segee, Saco, grew up in Millinocket, taught school for many years, school board and bicentennial committee, columnist, founded town museum in Millinocket.

. Bertha Voisine, Madawaska, braided rugs and sold them throughout Maine, Nova Scotia, California, Alaska, Germany, named Master Rug Braider by Maine Arts Commission for contributions to traditional arts of St. John Valley, with rugs on display at Smithsonian Institute.

. Herbert Black, Brunswick, author and former medical editor for the Boston Globe, covered the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

. Sister Lucille Cantin, Lewiston, taught second-grade for 50 years in parish schools in Sanford, Brunswick, Winslow and Waterville.

. John Chandler Jr., Falmouth, served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Bell, a destroyer that helped capture the German battleship Bismark, longtime educator.

. Honor Davey Diehl, Farmington, artist and exercise therapist.

. Joseph Gies, Farmington, editor of This Week Magazine, author of more than 20 books, including “They Never Had It So Good” and “A Matter of Morals.”

. Rebecca Gilman, Waterville, paralyzed by car accident at 21, worked in local library, at Knox County General Hospital and as an executive secretary.

. Jack Hargreaves, Madison, lumberman, author of “Panning Gold: A Maine Memoir.”

. Lewis Inglee Jr., Winthrop, member of the Navy Sea-Bees at the Normandy Invasion in World War II, became a teacher for people with mental retardation.

. Alice King, Augusta, served in Army Nurse Corps during Korean War, worked at VA Hospital in Togus, became lieutenant colonel in Army Reserves.

. Geneva Kirk, Auburn, longtime teacher, founding board member of Maine Technical College system, University of Maine System board of trustees.

. John Knight, Portland, served in Italy during World War II, then 25 years in National Guard, spearheaded neighborhood center.

. Frank Marley, Westbrook, navigator-bombardier in World War II, Prisoner of War in Bucharest, research psychologist for U.S. Air Force.

. Marion Parshley, York, certified nursing assistant for area facilities and home health, mentored others entering the profession.

. Bessie Beatrice Phillips, Waterville, registered nurse, supervised certified nursing assistants, knitted sweaters and afghans and baked for those in need, volunteered at food bank.

. Frank Pomerleau, Augusta, purchased ice cream truck during the Depression to sell refreshments at county fairs, worked at paper mill, opened Pomerleau’s Market and Frank Pomerleau’s Furniture.

. Roger Rheaume, South Paris, served on USS Thurston in Normandy Invasion during World War II, also Iwo Jima and Okinawa, worked building highways in southern Maine, served in Marines during Korean War.

. William Rioux, Sabattus, research chemist for Pioneer Plastics Corp., developed ideas for materials used in cookware so it can withstand very high temperatures.

. Samuel David Roberts, Farmington, paratrooper during World War II, served at New Guinea, Leyte, Luzon, received Bronze Star, president of Roberts Paper Co., played in swing bands.

. Ouida Schwartz, Gorham, librarian, assisted husband in serving Methodist churches, vice president of United Methodist Women’s Conference, wrote books on Methodist Conference with husband.

. Pearl Starbird, South Paris, artist, taught art in schools for more than 25 years, funded scholarships for musical and visual arts students in Oxford County.

. Norris Stilphen, North Berwick, medic and hospital administrator in World War II, town manager in Old Orchard Beach and towns in Massachusetts and Illinois.

. Rosemary Thompson, Auburn, volunteer with Cub Scouts, Brownie Scouts, Ladies Circle, Grange, made and restored dolls and stuffed animals for children at Christmas.

. Roland Vezeau, Sanford, amputee who adapted so well to a leg prosthesis that he frequently spoke to new amputees, did construction projects.

. Clyde Williamson, York Harbor, served in World War II, made dentures and prostheses for those with palate deformities, photographer.

. Ben Winkfield (posthumous), Gardiner, served in World War II and Korean War, 20 years in the U.S. Army, could recited Truman’s 1948 speech ending segregation of armed forces.

. Jay Zeamer Jr., Boothbay Harbor, pilot in World War II in the Pacific, flew planes to photograph Japanese installations, received Medal of Honor.