DAMARISCOTTA — Leighton Russell Keirstead, 82, died, Thursday, December 29, 2011 peacefully in the arms of his daughters while he was lovingly received by his bride of 55 years. He was born August 1, 1929 in Presque Isle, ME a son of Oscar R. and Harriett A. (Cook) Keirstead. He graduated from Mapleton High School with the Class of 1947 and from Coyne Electrical School in Chicago in 1949.

Leighton served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict where he was stationed in Trieste, Italy. He married the love of his life, Phyllis Marie ( Higgins) Keirstead in Mapleton in 1953 where they started their family, later to be raised in Windsor, CT.

He was predeceased by his wife who died in 2009, a son Ronald who died in 1981 a brother, Clifford and a grandson Jonathan Tetreault who died in 2008.

Survivors include four daughters, Donna J. Carr of Windsor Locks, CT; LuAnn and her husband Stanley Rogala of Walpole, ME; Rhonda A. and her husband Mike Tetreault of Southwick, MA; Karla S. and her husband Jeff Larsen of Southwick, MA, a brother Richard Keirstead of Pisgah Forest, NC, six grandsons, Keith and Peter Carr; Tim Stiles; Chris and Mikey Tetreault; Korey Larsen and nine great grandchildren.

Visiting hours were held from 11 AM to 1 PM on Sunday, January 1, 2012 at the Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal Street, Brunswick. A funeral service with military honors will follow at 1PM at the funeral home. A graveside service will be held in the spring, in Windsor, CT where Leighton and Phyllis’ urns will be laid to rest with their son Ronald.

Leighton and Phyllis’ family wish to thank everyone that offered them so much love and support during this difficult time.