Abbott B. Ladd Obituary (1925 - 2012)

BELGRADE - Abbott B. Ladd of Belgrade, Maine, passed away Sunday, March 18, 2012, at the age of 86. Abbott was born on August 8, 1925, in Waterville, Maine. He was the youngest of 5 boys and enjoyed a spirited childhood. The brothers shared a uniquely warm relationship and to his last days, Abbott took great pleasure in relating the youthful adventures of the Ladd lads. Toward the end of WWII, Abbott graduated from Waterville High School and immediately joined the US Navy. He received an honorable discharge from the Navy on May 18, 1948 and in July, 1952 was honorably discharged from the Naval Reserve. Abbott was always proud of his country and of his service for the United States of America. Then Abbott enrolled in the University of Maine and attended classes in Brunswick. On June 15, 1948, he married his sweetheart, Miriam L. Wort. The couple moved to Orono and completed their education together. Abbott earned his degree in Forestry in 1951 and worked for Great Northern Paper Company at Pittston Farms. He then moved to Greenville, Maine, where he worked for the US Postal Service for two years after which he joined the Maine Forest Service. From 1955-1959, Abbott lived with his growing family in Waterville, then moved to Dixfield, Maine, where he took a job at Oxford Paper Company which later became Boise Cascade. He was a Tree Farm Family Forester for Boise until he retired in 1987. But Abbott never really retired. He became the first Executive Director of the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine and in the early 90s, took leave from there to work in his woodlot and Christmas tree farm full time. He enjoyed meeting his faithful Christmas tree customers year after year. Abbott loved his Lord and served faithfully at Getchell Street Baptist Church where he was a lifelong member. He was a member of the Diaconate Board, sang in the choir, transported people to and from church and helped anyone in need. He never said no. Since 1960 Abbott was a strong supporter of the youth ministries at Camp Berea, a Christian summer camp for Teens in Turner, Maine. On a day off or during a vacation, he would often be found working on the camp property. He was also a member of Camp Berea’s Board of Directors for many years. Music was a very important part of his life and Abbott spent many enjoyable hours playing his cornet with the R. B. Hall Band. For some time, he was the manager of the band and kept busy scheduling performance dates. Tuesday night band practice was hardly ever missed and one would often see his toe tapping while he played his horn at summer events. Spending time with his family at camp on Salmon Lake was another of Abbott’s joys. Having the brothers over to “the big picnic table” for any reason at all (especially for birthday cake and ice cream) made him happy. Abbott earned and received many awards for his work in the field of forestry. He was elected a Fellow of the Society of American Foresters in 1988, he was awarded State Runner Up Outstanding Tree Farm in 2005, was awarded an Outstanding Forest Steward, and was Kennebec County Outstanding Tree Farmer for 2012. He was honored and proud of his accomplishments. Abbott is survived by his wife, Miriam Ladd of Belgrade, ME; son, Christopher Ladd and wife, Kathryn Ladd of Newton-Le-Willows, UK; son, Jeffrey Ladd and wife, Fredonna Ladd of Belgrade, ME, and daughter, Debra Ladd of Belgrade, ME; His grandchildren, Sarah Ward and family of Newton-Le-Willows, UK; Helen Ladd and family of Newton-Le-Willows, UK; Matthew Ladd and family of Newton-Le-Willows, UK; Stephanie Malone and family of Newton-Le-Willows, UK; Josiah Ladd of Bangor, ME; Jeremiah Ladd of Belgrade, ME, and 6 great-grandchildren all residing in Newton-Le-Willows, UK. He is survived by his brothers Beecher Ladd and Blaine Ladd and predeceased by his brothers, Arthur Ladd, Lloyd Ladd and Chester Ladd and his infant sister. At the age of 86, he was still selling Christmas trees, cutting and splitting his own wood, collecting and boiling maple sap for syrup, marking trees in his woodlot, serving on the Maine Tree Farm Committee as County Chair, playing his cornet and serving faithfully at his church. He was a loving husband, a caring dad, a wonderful grandfather, a terrific uncle and a loyal friend. Abbott touched many lives and will be deeply missed. A private graveside service with full military honors will be held for immediate family only. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2012, at 1:00 PM at the Getchell Street Baptist Church, Waterville, ME. All are welcome to come celebrate a life well lived. Memorial donations may be sent to: Abbott B. Ladd Scholarship Fund, Camp Berea PO Box 619 North Turner, ME 04266 Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, One Church St., Augusta, where memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com