Douglas W. Crate Jr.

WATERVILLE and BANGOR Mr. Douglas W. Crate Jr., 81, died peacefully July 3, 2008, while family gathered to lovingly support his passing at Maine Medical Center, Portland, after a brief illness. Doug was born Nov. 15, 1926, in Philadelphia. He married Sally Church Alexander, July 24, 1948, and had four sons. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany at the end of World War II and was a life time member of the Elks. Doug taught fourth grade in the Bangor school system. Doug's interests included: "n" size trains, politics, sports, good conversation and family. He will be missed by his special friend and companion through out the last two years, Pauline Ingalls and her family of South Portland. He is survived by three sons, Douglas W. III and his wife, Misha, of Winterport, Stephen C. and his wife, Allison, of Waterville and Jeffrey S. and his wife, Pam, of Gardner; his brother, William Crate and his wife, Marion, of Beverly, Mass.; sister, Millie Edelman and husband, Ray, of Glassboro, N.J.; eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Dorothy Philips of Spokane, Wash., and her family. He was predeceased by his wife, Sally Church Alexander Crate, July 2005; and son, Robert Henry Crate, February 2001. Visiting hours are 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 12, with a memorial service celebrating his life 2:30 p.m. at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. All friends and family are welcomed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friendship Cottage, in care of Douglas W. Crate Jr., P.O. Box 1107, Blue Hill, ME 04614. A memorial webpage about Douglas may be viewed at www.geocities.com/scrate/dwcjrmem.html "We are but travelers in the wilderness of the world; the best we find in travels is honest friendship."


This obituary was originally published in the BDN Maine.