HOWARD M. KESSELI
DOVER-FOXCROFT - Howard M. Kesseli died Sept. 15, 2005, at his Range Road home after a long, courageous battle with prostate cancer. He was born March 30, 1931, in Worcester, Mass., the son of Howard Kesseli and Barbara (Cooke) Kesseli. He was a graduate of Major Beal High School and Boston University. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army before starting his long career as an executive with the Boy Scouts of America. Howard was instrumental in starting Mattagamon, a wilderness camp for scouts on the Allagash.

From 1972-1989 he was camp director at Camp Roosevelt. After his retirement in 1994, Howard continued to volunteer for the Boy Scouts of America and in June of 2000 was awarded the Silver Beaver Award, the highest award given a volunteer in scouting. For 20 years Howard owned and operated Howard's Marina on Sebec Lake. He was a member of the Piscataquis County Sheriff's Department.

For 46 years he was an active member of the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Club. He was club president in 1964, and served as distinguished lieutenant governor of the New England District of Kiwanis in 2001-2002. In 2002, he was awarded Kiwanian of the Year for the New England District. Howard devoted his retirement years to community service. He was chairman of the Homecoming Committee in Dover-Foxcroft since its fruition and helped make this celebration what it is today. He was a member of the American Legion, serving as their finance officer. He was a member of the Grange, attended Heartwise when his health allowed this involvement, and served on two committees in Greenville, Forest Heritage Days and ENRC.

Howard had a deep love of nature and got much enjoyment from hunting, fishing, boating and snowmobiling. He traveled extensively in the U.S. and abroad.

He is survived by a son, Timothy T. Stevens and his wife, Danielle, of Newfields, N.H. He will be sadly missed by their children, Tyler and Rebecca, who just loved their Grampa. He will be fondly remembered by his longtime, loving friend, Suzanne Stacy, and her family of Dover-Foxcroft. Also surviving is his only brother, Paul C. Kesseli of Shrewsbury, Mass.; two nieces, a nephew and several great-nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed by his family, many special friends, including James Wentworth of Monson, and the many organizations to which he was devoted.

Friends are invited to call 2-3 and 6-8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19, at the Lary Funeral Home, Dover-Foxcroft, where funeral services will be conducted 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, with the Rev. Ernest Campbell officiating. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Howard M. Kesseli Memorial Fund, care of Piscataquis County Sheriff's Association, 17 Court St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426, or to the Howard M. Kesseli Memorial Fund, Katahdin Area Council, BSA, P.O. Box 1869, Bangor, ME 04402.