Raymond L. Chase Jr., 80

Lifelong Boston Red Sox fan

Raymond L. Chase Jr. 80, died Friday evening July 21, 2006, at his home with his family by his side.

He was born in Windham on April 4, 1926, the son of Raymond Sr. and Mary Wilson Chase. He was educated in Portland Schools before entering the service and serving in World War II.

Raymond was married to his wife, Amelia Mae, Nov. 4, 1950, for 40 years prior to her passing in 1991. He was employed at Burnham Morrills for 30 years before his retirement in 1983. Raymond spent his spare time lake fishing, and having cookouts with his family at their camp on Deer Pond. He enjoyed watching boxing, and was a life long Boston Red Sox fan.

Raymond was predeceased by his wife Amelia Mae; five sisters and one brother. He is survived by four children: Linwood and Lynn Chase of Alfred; Pamela O’Leary of Scarborough; Stephen and Jennifer Chase of Old Orchard;, and Christine Hillman-Chase of Gorham; two sisters: Maxine Smith of New Hampshire; and Geraldine Marrone of Windham; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

The Chase family wishes to extend a special thanks to Darci Chase for all the care she provided.

John Jack S. Archibald, 70

Partner of The Wise Group

John Jack S. Archibald, 70, died Friday, July 21, 2006.

He was born March 13, 1936, in Portland, a son of Herbert and Cora (Morton) Archibald.

John served in the Maine Army National Guard for two years.

On Feb. 19, 1955, he married Esther Sferes and together they raised a family.

During his working years, he held various advertising sales positions with many different radio and media companies. As well, he worked in sales for uniform distribution companies. He founded and ran Archer Advertising, and later was a partner of The Wise Group. Following his retirement, he enjoyed spending his winters in Zephyrhills, Fla.

Jack was a member of the Portland Elks Club, and a Past President of the So. Portland Jaycees.

He was predeceased by a sister, Grace Eldridge.

Surviving are his beloved wife, Esther; a special mother-in-law, Martha Sferes; his two children, Vickie and her husband Jeff McGovern of Standish; and David and his fiance Cathy Croto-Vezina of Windham; two brothers and two sisters, Elizabeth and her husband Ivan Warden of Westbrook, Herbert and his wife Doris Archibald of Westbrook, Mae Supinski of Ohio, and Alfred LeBeau of Ohio; and five grandchildren, Michael McGovern of Portland, Kelly McGovern of Portland, Joseph Archibald of E. Waterboro, Jonathan Archibald of E. Waterboro, and Christopher Archibald of Waterboro.

Sonja A. Dionne, 57

Avid Eagles, Amvets member

Sonja A. Dionne, 57, died Thursday, July 13, 2006, in Palmetto, Fla.

Sonja worked for Miss Portland Diner for over 15 years and waitressed and bartended in Portland before moving to Florida seven years ago. She was a member of The Eagles and Amvets No. 25 in Portland. She had a great fondness for the beach and enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren.

She was born in Gorham, the eldest daughter of Raymond (deceased) and Gloria (Usher) Pomerleau. She is survived by her brother, Michael Pomerleau and sister, Diane Pomerleau, both of Standish; her children, Kimberly (Garland) Grant and her husband Philip of Portland, Michelle (Garland) Magaw and her husband Michael of Bradenton, Fla., and Michael Oliver of Lawton, Okla. She had four grandchildren whom she loved very much, Code, Carole, James and Kaitlin. She also had several nieces and nephews.

Sonja had a brief battle with lung cancer and died peacefully surrounded by loved ones at Tidewell Hospice and Palliative Care, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, Florida 34238. This is also where donations in her memory can be made.

Kenneth Leroy Webber

Marine engineer for 45 years

Kenneth Leroy Webber, LCDR, Ret., USN and CG of Matinicus Island, Maine.

Kenneth L. Webber died peacefully at his winter home in Georgia.

He was born Feb. 7, 1928, in Portland, a son of Eli R. and Leila H. Webber.

He graduated from North Yarmouth Academy in 1945, and Maine Maritime Academy in 1949.

Ken served for nearly 45 years in the U.S. Navy, Merchant Marine, and Coast Guard as a Marine Engineer, and held a Chief Engineer License for steam and motor vessels of any horsepower.

He was a recipient of several military decorations and awards. He was also a member of the Aurora Lodge in Rockland, and The Portland Marine Society.

He was predeceased by his wife of 40 years Barbara R. Webber in 1994. They lived in Hatchville, Mass. for over 30 years. He retired to Matinicus and enjoyed working on the old homestead.

He is survived by his wife Eve; a daughter Heide A. Kilpatrick and her husband Alan of Middleboro, Mass.; a son Merrill R. Webber and his wife Laurie; a grandson Derek E.; and granddaughter Lindsay K., all of Spruce Head; and a sister Leona Cox of Matinicus and Standish.

A memorial service will be held August 4, 2006 at 4 p.m., at the Matinicus Island church. The Sunbeam will depart from the Rockland Ferry Terminal at 1:30 p.m., and will arrive back in Rockland at approximately 8:30 p.m. Ashes will be spread at sea by the family at a later time.

Lillian R. Connors, 87

Enjoyed knitting, shopping, beano

Lillian R. Connors, 87, of Allen Avenue, passed away July 20, 2006, at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

She was born in Framingham, Mass., a daughter of Andrew and Mary McIntyre Wells.

As a young girl, she and her family moved to Portland. At age 21, she married John J. Connors, and began raising a family that would eventually consist of eight children. She was a longtime communicant of St. Joseph’s Church in Portland, and was active in setting up for the weekly mass at Northfield Green. She enjoyed knitting, shopping and playing beano.

She was pre-deceased by her husband, John J. Connors in 1970 and a son, James Michael in 1980.

She is survived by seven children: John of Portland; Edward and his wife Donna of Portland; Joseph and his wife Sharon of Gorham; Mary Heal and husband Douglas of Windham; Robert of Portland; Ann Michaud and husband Richard of New Gloucester; Barbara Moody and husband Timothy of Cumberland; she is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Murray E. Edes, 84

WWII army medic, loved learning

Murray Edward Edes was born Feb. 8, 1921, in the Bronx, N.Y. to George C. and Mabel Barker Edes. Murray’s youth and early adult years were spent in North Windham, where he enjoyed fishing and hunting in Maine’s streams and forests.

He served in the U.S. Army in WW II, including Army bases in Missouri, Michigan and North Carolina; an Army Special Training Program at Harvard; and overseas as a medic in France, Luxembourg and Germany.

A businessman, Murray was an owner of automotive service stations and related businesses in North Windham, Portland and Westbrook, and later an industrial products company in Chicago, Ill. He invented a moon compass, and more than 20 commercial products.

Murray passed on to his children and grandchildren his love of learning, reading, science, travel and fossil hunting, which led to a fossil discovery that bears the Edes name: Conchopoma Edesi.

After more than seven decades of active life, he spent his sweet and gentle last years at a VA facility, including many family visits, and reading books over the telephone. His last visit to Maine, in 1996, included a gathering of Windham Good Ole Boys, hosted by Dr. Sidney Branson, and a family reunion near Edes Falls.

On Jan. 1, 2000, he celebrated with family his reaching his 1937 Windham High School goal to live to the year 2000.

Murray passed away on Dec. 15, 2005, with his children at hand. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Norman; and his wife Anna Edes, mother of his children. Survivors include his sister Irene, now of Stockton, Calif.; his three children: George Edes of Pismo Beach, Calif.; Valerie Thompson of Falmouth; and Thomas Edes and his wife Kathy of Columbia, Mo.; and five grandchildren: Ryan, Bill, Sarah, Ben and Ashley.

Now at journey’s end, he returns home to his beloved Maine.