The Life of Bethie

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Dad's obituary

Publish Date: Saturday, July 1, 2006
HAROLD T. 'HAP' GERRISH DMD
BOWERBANK - Harold T. "Hap" Gerrish passed away peacefully June 29, 2006, at his Bowerbank home on Sebec Lake, with his family surrounding him. Hap was born Feb. 10, 1930, in Milo, the son of Harold L. and Frances (Towne) Gerrish. His family lived in Augusta where he graduated from Cony High School in 1948. He was an Eagle Scout, involved with football, and he played the violin in the orchestra. He attended the University of Maine at Brunswick and Orono, majoring in engineering physics. While there, he was a member of the Sophomore Owl Honor Society. Hap transferred to Tufts College as a junior, but had too many credits and ended up a senior in pre-med. He graduated from Tufts Dental School in 1955, with a DMD degree. While in dental school, he drove a taxi and also played first violin with the Boston Pops for Arthur Fielder for three years. While with the Pops, "Sleigh Ride" was played for the very first time. The years of 1956-1957 were spent in the U.S. Army; he was stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., where he was a paratrooper and ran the dental clinic. He also did an internship at Walter Reed Hospital, Washington, D.C. Hap came to Dover-Foxcroft in 1957, and practiced general dentistry there until 2001, and then at Twin City Dental, Bangor. In 1973, he was elected a member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, a dental honor society. In 1992, he enrolled in a 12-month study program in the professor-training unit at Harvard University School of Dental Medicine, which led to an appointment in operative dentistry. Hap joined the Kiwanis Club of Dover-Foxcroft in 1957 and enjoyed 49 years of perfect attendance. During that time, he served as club president, lieutenant governor and governor of the New England District. He was a life member of Kiwanis International, a 49-year member of the Legion of Honor, a George F. Hixon fellow of the Kiwanis International Foundation and his name stands permanently at Kiwanis International as a three-time recipient of the Tablet of Honor. Hap served 28 years on the Board of Kiwanis...

Where is the rest?????? Online, the paper only lists 1/2!!! I'll find the rest & get it here.

Here it is!!!

Hap served 28 years on the Board of Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute, a joint venture of the Medical Center and New England Kiwanis. Over the years, he has served as chairman at Kiwanis fund raisers and functions for his local club and New England District. Hap had been an active member of many community and charitable organizations including Squaw Mountain Ski Foundation, The Piscataquis and Maine State YMCA, and founder of the Pony Club stables in Newburgh. He had served on hospital boards of Taylor Osteopathic Hospital, Eastern Maine Medical Center, Mayo Regional Hospital and New England Medical Center in Boston. He was also very active with the Maine Hospital Association and the Trustee Advisory Group. Hap and is family have been hosts to 4 AFS students, Jan Osterberg of Sweden, Leonard Schafer of Switzerland, Heikki Norta of Finland, and Helga Wilpshaar of The Netherlands. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a Noble of Anah Temple Shrine. Hap thoroughly enjoyed living at Sebec Lake with all the activities and especially his favorite boat the "Anamosa," which his family also enjoyed with him.

He is survived by his wife, Judy, daughter and son in law Margaret & Chip Loring of Utah, son and daughter in law Greg & Kathy Gerrish of New Jersey, son and daughter in law Bruce & Vanesa Gerrish of Virginia, daugher and son in law Tamy & John Ingalls of New Hampshire, daughter & son in law Beth & Paul Renzetti of NY, son David of Maine, his very special grandchildrenKarin Sheehan and her husband Marc, Josh Sjostrom, Ben, Abby & Lindsey Gerrish, Dan & Alex Ingalls, Rebecca & Nicole Renzetti, his sister & brother in law Mary & Gordon Canning of Maine, several nieces & nephews, and many, many close friends.

Services will be held 11am wednesday, July 5th at the Gerrish Compound, Bowerbank. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Registry, New Engand Medical Center, 750 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111 or to Mayo Regional Hospital, c/o Heartwise, 987 W. Main St., Dover- Foxcroft, ME 04426. Arrangements are in the care of Lary Funeral Home, Dover-Foxcroft.


6 Comments:

  • Awww Beth, you have my condolences. While he left too soon, it does sound like he had a rich and full life and that's only going on 1/2 of it!

    By Blogger Motherhen, at 12:34 AM  

  • He sounds like an amazing man -- how lucky you were to have had him for so long. (((HUGS))) to your entire family during this difficult time.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:00 PM  

  • What an amazing man. He gave a lot. Many hugs to you sweetie.

    By Blogger Just Me, at 1:07 PM  

  • What an exceptional Man and what an exceptionally full life he had.
    Love and Hugs
    Sam

    By Blogger Sam, at 4:40 AM  

  • I'm so sorry, sweetie, for your loss. So tragic, he sounds like such a wonderful man. You and P and the girls are in my thoughts and prayers, like always. -K

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:36 AM  

  • *hugs* Beth. You had such a fantastic dad by the sounds of things. Very smart man and a very full life :)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:55 AM  

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