Lionel Armstrong Obituary (1929 - 2007)

READFIELD - Lionel O'Neal Armstrong, 77, of Torsey Shores Association Road, Readfield, died on Jan. 22, 2007, at MaineGeneral Rehabilitation & Nursing Care at Gray Birch, Augusta, after a long illness. He was born in Portland on March 3, 1929, the son of Vaughan W. Armstrong Sr. and Catherine (Beaulieu) Armstrong. At the age of 17, with his parent's permission, he entered the military life. He served in the Air Force in World War II, the Korean Conflict and Vietnam, retiring as a staff sergeant after 23 years of dedicated service. Before his illness, he loved to work in his workshop, working on whatever needed repair. He also enjoyed several boat rides on Torsey Pond. On June 15, 1985, he married his childhood sweetheart, Carolyn (Brann) Downing, and they made their home on Torsey Shores for the last 22 years. He was a member of the American Legion Post 132 in Richmond and AmVets Post 2 in Yarmouth. Lionel was predeceased by his parents and two brothers, Sedgewick and Vaughan Jr. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn (Brann) Downing Armstrong, the love of his life for the past 22 years; a brother, Malcolm, and his wife, Gerri, of Day Creek, Ore.; a daughter, Heidi Lynn Armstrong of Londonderry, N.H.; a son, Lionel O. Armstrong Jr. of Londonderry, a stepdaughter, Jean Goding and her husband, Michael, of Augusta; stepsons Kevin Downing of Gridley, Calif., and Mark Downing of Bowie, Md.; one grandson, four step-grandsons, one step-granddaughter, two great-granddaughters and a great-grandson. Above all, Lionel would not want his special friends who were dear to his heart forgotten: his three sisters-in-law, Patricia Gagne, Martha Gibson and Elizabeth R. Brann; special friends Larry and Lori Compagna; and his dear friend who was like a son to him, Jeff King. He will also be sadly missed by his cat, Scooter, and his golden retriever, Mally Bee. Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, at Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop, where a celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. Friday. Committal services and interment with full military honors will be held in the spring at East Readfield Cemetery, Route 17, Readfield.