BATH — George Dersham, 93, died Jan. 23 at the Hillhouse Assisted Living Center.
He was born Nov. 8, 1915, in Seneca, Mich., son of Frederick E. and Mary E. (Longstaff) Dersham. He graduated from Adrian Michigan High School in 1934.
He spent nearly 30 years with the U.S. Navy, starting out as a swabbie on a refurbished World War I battle ship, and ending as an electrical engineer aboard a sophisticated aircraft carrier.
During World War II, he participated in the Battle of the North Atlantic, and served aboard the highly decorated USS Nicholas from 1942-1945. He also served during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
He met his wife, Grace Jewett, at a USO dance in Bath in 1942. They married April 23, 1945, and settled in Bath in 1952 while he continued his sea duty with the Navy.
He retired from the Navy with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer in 1965, and worked 11 years at Bath Iron Works in the estimating department.
After retiring again, he and his wife moved to Boothbay Harbor.
He enjoyed puzzles, golf, bowling, winters in Florida and time with family.
He was predeceased by his wife, Grace, in 1982, and his brother, Charles.
He is survived by daughter Gayle E. Birdsall and her partner Larry Douglas of Bath, sons, George Dersham Jr., of Gardiner, Milton and his wife Rosemary of Brunswick, Frederick and his wife Edythe of Bath, and Allie Dersham of Brunswick; grandchildren, Christopher Cummings of Wichita, Kan., John Ogden and his wife Amise Ogden of Coldwater, Mich., William Birdsall of Bath, Jennifer Dersham and her partner Ernest Pinkham of Harpswell, Peter Chaney and his wife Stephanie of Alna, Nancy Grace (Dersham) Thurston and her husband Ryan of Topsham; four great-grandchildren, Olivia, Karis and Haven Ogden of Coldwater, Mich., and Nicholas Pinkham of Harpswell; brother-in-law Phillip Willey of Wiscasset; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions can be made to Lincoln County Animal Shelter, 27 Atlantic Highway, Edgecomb, ME 04556 or Mid Coast Hospice, 45 Baribeau Dr., Brunswick, ME 04011.
Private memorial services are being arranged by David E. Desmond & Son Funeral Home, 638 High St., Bath.
Dersham