PORTLAND — Michael Aaron Schlemann, 39, died unexpectedly Aug. 2 at his Shalom House apartment in Portland.

Born in Pomona, Calif., on Aug. 22, 1971, he moved to Yarmouth at age 6 and attended Yarmouth schools. After graduating from Yarmouth High School in 1990, he attended Sienna College in Albany, N.Y., before he returned to Maine and graduated from USM with a degree in psychology.

He was devoted to his work as an aide for the Portland Public Libraries, where he assisted with daily operations and held weekly film nights in the library’s teen room.

Most weekends he spent time at his childhood home, assisting with the maintenance and visiting family.

He was blessed with the support of a loving extended family, including three brothers, a sister-in-law, both sets of grandparents and other extended family. He frequently visited family in New York and when possible, would travel to Ohio to visit family.

A passion for music, he played guitar and enjoyed attending musical events in greater Portland.

His family would like to extend their deep gratitude to the staff and residents of the Shalom House organization for years of dedicated support that helped enrich his quality of life. He fought a valiant battle with mental illness that set in during his late adolescent years. His strength and perseverance in the face of this struggle was an inspiration to many. A truly kind, thoughtful and gentle man, he channeled his struggles and suffering into great kindness and compassion for others.

He was predeceased by his stillborn twin brother, his paternal grandparents, Lawrence and Mary Schlemann of Cincinnati, Ohio, and his maternal grandparents, Philip and Marie Totonelly of Newburgh, N.Y.

Surviving are his mother, Anita Schlemann of Yarmouth; father Lawrence Schlemann and stepmother Anne Borden of Kittery Point; devoted brothers, Brian P. Schlemann of Somerville, Mass., Eric L. Schlemann and wife Katherine L. Schlemann of Somerville, Mass., and David P. Schlemann of Cambridge, Mass.

Memorial services were held earlier this week.

Arrangements are by Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth.

Please visit lindquistfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of his life and to share condolences, memories and tributes with his family.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Shalom House, Inc., 106 Gilman St., Portland, ME 04102, or to NAMI Maine, 1 Bangor St., Augusta, ME 04330.

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