Gene Stratton (Tinker)

PORTLAND – Gene Stratton (Tinker), born July 27, 1928, passed away Feb. 12, 2023 at the age of 94. He was the middle child of Bernie and Vernie (Pick) Stratton. His siblings were Leroy (Bud), Loraine (Sis), Rita (Beep), Barbara ( Barbie) and Sidney (Skip).

Gene grew up in Cumberland, Maine. As a child, he was not exactly an avid scholar. As he told it, he would attend school on the first day each year, only to discover the same (apparently dreaded) teacher would be once again teaching grades 1-6.

While his siblings went to school, he spent his days on the family farm tinkering(hence his nickname) and inventing. He especially loved his adventures and his cousin Rolly.

He eventually became a carpenter who built over 50 houses during his career. He was adept at all phases of house building from excavation, foundations, framing, plumbing, electrical, finish work, etc. and in his spare time, was inclined to dabble in projects such as saw mills, boats, furniture and repairing machinery.

His first wife was Carol (Greer) Stratton. They raised three children, David, Gail and Steven in Cumberland, all of whom had the teacher from Gene’s past as a kindergarten teacher (without incident).

Around 1973, Gene moved to Gorham, Maine where he married Reba (Small) Stratton, who already had three children, Cynthia, Robert and Betsy.

Family was always very important to Gene. He would never miss a chance to spend time with his children, stepchildren, grandchildren and all their various spouses and partners as well as his great grandchildren.

Gene was predeceased by his parents, all of his siblings, all his cousins and his second wife Reba.

At the age of 89 he suffered a stroke that left him physically incapacitated but left his sense of humor intact.

His family is very grateful to the staff of Foreside Harbor who took care of him after his stroke, as well as the staff of The Birchwood who cared for him in his final year.

There will be a celebration of Gene’s life in the summer of 2023.