HARLOW E. POWERS
HARTLAND, Harlow E. Powers, 81, died February 2, 2008 at Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield. He was born September 23, 1926, in St. Albans, son of Ernest and Myrtle (Philbrick) Powers. He was raised through his formative years by his loving step father, Alonzo Williams, with whom he worked through the age of 29. He graduated from Hartland Academy, class of 1945. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1947 and was a graduate of the U.S. Navy Hospital Corp in Bainbridge, Maryland. Harlow married Ruth Fox in a candlelight ceremony on December 11, 1948 and they remained sweethearts throughout their 59 years together.

He worked for H.C. Baxter Canning Co. and then for Walpole Woodworkers in Detroit Maine for his very special brother-in-law Levi Peterson for 12 years. Harlow then worked for the U.S. Post Office as a rural mail carrier in the communities of St. Albans, Hartland, Pittsfield and Limerick for 30 years until his retirement. During this time he was an active member of the Rural Letter Carriers Association, where he rose to the position of State Steward representing Maine members through the federal office in Washington D.C. He was also a very active and respected leader in the community through a wide range of activities.

He was a member, Past Master and former Secretary of the Masonic Lodge in Hartland. He was also a member of the Anah Temple Shrine. He was a long-time member of the Lions Club where he served as King Lion and Zone chairman. Harlow was a member of the Grace Linn Memorial Methodist Church where he served as Treasurer for the past 10 years. Harlow also served as a leader in supporting the local Hartland charity The Food Cupboard.

In addition, he was a member of the Scott Webb Medical Center board on which he served as President of the board for many years. In later years, he was responsible for leading the reopening of the Scott-Webb Medical Center, which is now a thriving service to the community. For the past 10 years, he proudly served the town of Hartland as selectman and servant of his community as a way of giving back to his friends and local residents.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Powers of Hartland; son Randy Powers and his wife, Kaye of Roanoke, TX, daughter Kathy Nichols and her husband, Harvey of Walterboro, SC; sister, Evangeline Gray and her husband, Philip of FL; 5 grandchildren, Matthew, Travis, Shannon, Traci, Staci, and several great grandchildren; several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law including a special sister-in-law, Ida Briggs of Hartland; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers-in-law Clifford Merrill, Dr. Paul Briggs, and Frank Jordan; sister-in-law Mary Fox; and recently by his close friend, Clair Russell. Harlow requested a very special thank you to be expressed for his compassionate care to Dr. Openshaw, Kay Hunter RN, Dr. Cavanaugh, and all the nurses at Sebasticook Valley Hospital.

Friends may call at Crosby & Neal, 117 Main Street in Newport from 2 to 4, and 6 to 8 PM Wednesday, February 6, 2008, where Masonic services will be held at 7 PM. Funeral services will be held at 5 PM Thursday at the Hartland Community Center with the Rev. Paul Briggs officiating. A private service will also be held at the Grace Linn Memorial church prior to the funeral. Spring burial will be in the Maloon Cemetery in St. Albans.

Those who wish may make donations to either the Grace Linn Memorial Church or the Hartland Food Cupboard.

For an online guestbook, go to www.CrosbyNeal.com.

Graveside committal services for Harlow Powers will be held 1 P.M. Saturday, October 4th, at Maloon Cemetery in St. Albans with the Rev. Paul Briggs officiating. Arrangements are by Crosby & Neal, Newport.