PORTLAND — Willis E. Redmond, 81, formerly of North Yarmouth, died May 15 after a brief illness at Maine Medical Center.

He was born in Monmouth on Jan. 30, 1934, the son of Edna (Alexander) and Ralph C. Redmond.

Willis graduated from Stephens High School in Rumford, and went on to earn a degree at Gorham State Teachers College. After serving in the Korean War as a member of the U.S. Army, Redmond taught industrial arts in the Portland Public Schools for many years.

On June 8, 1957, he married Janet Hanscom. Together, the couple shared 54 years of marriage, raised three daughters, and fulfilled a dream of traveling across the country many times.

Known to his family as a practical joker with a sharp sense of humor, Redmond was also the embodiment of a frugal Mainer. He made wise use of day-to-day objects and enjoyed collecting antiques, especially bottles. He also enjoyed enjoyed gardening, farming, fishing and woodworking.

He ran a mobile sawmill, and built his family’s home in North Yarmouth in 1987. He also built his own lobster boat.

Advertisement

As an adult, Redmond attended and was baptized at First Parish Congregational Church in Yarmouth. He served as a member of the Lions Club, Amvets and the Royal River Snowmobile Club.

Redmond was predeceased by his parents, brothers Ralph and Charles, and in 2011, his wife, Janet.

He is survived by his daughters: Kathryn Scalesse and husband, Vincent, of Longview, Washington; Carolyn Redmond, of Jacksonville, Florida; and Sharon Grover and husband, Matthew, of North Yarmouth. Also surviving are grandchildren Sarah Scalesse, Adam Scalesse, Zachary Grover and Alexander Grover; a great-grandchild, Brayden Spencer; nephews, Robin, Kim and Eric; and a special friend, Irene “Bunny” Harrington. 

A graveside service was scheduled to be held Wednesday, May 20, at 2 p.m., in Abbots Mills Cemetery, Rumford.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association or to a local fire or rescue department.

Sidebar Elements


Redmond


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.