Samuel Jr. Obituary (1927 - 2008)

AUGUSTA - Samuel Schoppee Silsby Jr., 80, a longtime resident of Augusta, died at his home, with his family by his side, on Nov. 17, 2008, after a long illness. A native of Bangor, Mr. Silsby was born Dec. 13, 1927, to Samuel S. Silsby, M.D., and Ella Shorey Silsby, the oldest of five sons. He received his bachelor's degree in zoology from the University of Maine at Orono in 1949, where he was a member of the Black Bears track team and the 1947-48 state champion in the 440-yard dash. After receiving his law degree from Boston University School of Law in 1952, he served in the U.S. Army's Office of Staff Judge Advocate until 1954. On Jan. 17, 1953, Mr. Silsby married Frances E. Litchfield of Ellsworth. Mr. Silsby briefly worked at the law office of Silsby & Silsby in Ellsworth before beginning his long career in state government in 1955. He was assistant director of Legislative Research for 11 years, during which time he wrote a 'History of Statutory Law in the State of Maine,' published in the 1964 Maine Revised Statutes Annotated. In 1966, Mr. Silsby was appointed by then-Secretary of State Kenneth M. Curtis to be Maine's first state archivist, a position he held with pride until his retirement in 1978. During his tenure, he was vice chairman of the Maine State Cultural Building Authority, which was responsible for the planning and design of the building that now houses the State Library, Museum and Archives. Mr. Silsby was nationally recognized in his profession for his expertise in the management and preservation of public records. He served on numerous commissions and boards, and was a long-time member of the Maine Historical Society and the Kennebec Historical Society. Mr. Silsby was an avid student of American and English history and of the Silsby family genealogy. He was a passionate and lifelong collector of books and documents and of old hand tools, many of which he lovingly restored. He was a self-taught craftsman who used his considerable skills over the years to remodel the family home and to build, renovate and repair anything that his family, particularly his daughters, asked him to do. He was devoted to his family and to his beloved pets and will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Besides his wife, Mr. Silsby is survived by his daughters, Carolyn Silsby (and her partner Stanley Piecuch) of Camden, Joanna Wallingford (and her husband Mark) of Auburn and Nancy Owens (and her husband Scott) of Gorham; son, Samuel Silsby III (and his wife Victoria) of Manchester, Vt.; brothers James Silsby (and his wife Elizabeth) of Ellsworth and David Silsby (and his wife Eleanor) of Manchester; grandchildren Thomas Hardy of Victor, Idaho, Ewan Hardy of Hope and Lydia Hardy of Camden, Brittany and Cody Wallingford of Auburn, Samantha, Nicholas, Alexander and Olivia Owens of Gorham, and Elizabeth and Samuel Silsby IV of Manchester, Vt.; and a large extended family. His brothers, Carl Silsby and Paul Silsby, predeceased him. A memorial service will be held at South Parish Congregational Church, 9 Church St., Augusta, at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, at 1 p.m. with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations in Mr. Silsby's name to Healthreach Homecare & Hospice, 150 Dresden Ave., Gardiner, ME 04345, whose staff provided much-appreciated care and support during his last illness, or to the Kennebec Valley Humane Society, 10 Pet Haven Lane, Augusta, ME 04330. Arrangements by Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta.