Alvin L. Lothridge Obituary (1930 - 2014)

AUGUSTA ~ After a short illness, Alvin L. Lothridge, 83, died Saturday, April 5, 2014 surrounded by his family at the Alfond Center for Health in Augusta. Al was born in Westbrook, Maine on September 4, 1930, the youngest of five boys to James and Helen York Lothridge. Following graduation from Richmond High School, Al attended Ricker College and Portland Junior College.After finishing his education, Al married Kathryn Varney on May 10, 1951. Together they bought and operated a little store on Brunswick Avenue in Gardiner. In 1952, Al enlisted in the United States Army, where he served in Korea until his honorable discharge in 1954. Al purchased his first ten wheeler in 1955 and continued working in construction and in the woods. He eventually became a Certified Logging Professional who owned several International and Mack trucks, making his living as a self- employed woodsman. He was a true people person, cultivating many friendships throughout his lifetime, and was also known to always drive blue pick-up trucks. An extremely hard worker all his life, Al not only made his living working in the woods but was an avid hunter and fisherman as well. Recently he took a course and became a member of the U.S. Power Squandrons to be able to operate his boat on coastal waters. When he wasn’t spending time with his family or his special companion, Barbara, he enjoyed spending time with the many friends he made down at the Westurlund’s Boat Landing in South Gardiner and working on his boat, “The Loose Nut”. Al was predeceased by his wife, Kathryn, of 51 years, in 2002; his four brothers, Robert, Aubrey, Clifford and Claude; and his long time business partner and right hand man, Tom DiBenedetti. He is survived by his companion over the last few years, Barbara Jordan, of South Gardiner; his three children, Brian Lothridge and his wife, Jessica, of Center Barnstead, NH, Patricia Lothridge and Brenda Ho, both of Augusta; his four grandchildren, Angela Frye and her husband, Paul, of Augusta, Alicia Rice of Winthrop, Christopher Lothridge and girlfriend, Rachael Pepin, of Monmouth and Megan Ho of San Jose, CA; six great grandchildren, Justin Pare, Lydia, Ella, Lucas Rice along with their father Luke Rice of Winthrop, David and Kennedy Frye, along with several nieces, nephews and cousins. Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 5:00 – 8:00pm on Wednesday, April 9th at Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home and Cremation Service, One Church St., Augusta. A celebration of Al’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday at the funeral home. A gathering will be held after the service to be announced. Burial will be later in the Spring, where he will be buried in the Richmond Cemetery with full military honors. Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com