Roosevelt Theodore Susi

PITTSFIELD -- Roosevelt Theodore Susi passed away on Feb. 25, 2009, in Pittsfield.

He was born July 7, 1919, to Lydia Bickford Susi and an Italian immigrant, Dominic McDonald Susi, who built railroads in northern Maine in the early 1900s. Dominic met President Theodore Roosevelt, a railroad buff, and he named his first-born son Roosevelt in the president's honor. Roosevelt had three brothers: Donald, John and Wayne.

A lifelong Mainer, Roosevelt graduated from Maine Central Institute in 1938 and from the University of Maine in 1941, having earned a degree in engineering in 31/2 years. While in college, he was a member of the University's Christian Society Deputation team as a substitute preacher.

Serving as an officer in the Navy throughout World War II, Roosevelt rose to the rank of lieutenant commander and by the end of the war had become Captain of the USS Spicewood AN53. In 1946, he married Irene Keremitsis of Alameda, Calif., and they had two children, Peter and Lolly. In 1981, Roosevelt married the former Joan Chenard and together they raised her two sons, Jason and Jon, in Buxton.

After World War II, Roosevelt and his brother, Donald, owned the first Chevrolet dealership in Pittsfield. Roosevelt later owned and ran a lumber business and sawmill, and a construction business. For the latter half of his life and until he was well into his 80s, Roosevelt bred, raised and raced many successful harness horses, earning a reputation as a top trainer in the state. He became president of both the Maine Harness Horsemen's Association and the Maine Standardbred Owners and Breeders Association.

One of the founders of Maine's Junior Chamber of Commerce, Roosevelt served as its first state president. He later became president of the Pittsfield Kiwanis Club and was instrumental in building the Little League baseball field in Pittsfield's Hathorn Park, as well as the town's Manson Park swimming pool, recently rebuilt and still in use. He was also chairman of Pittsfield's School Building Committee and oversaw the construction of three of the town's schools. He served on the founding board of Unity College and supervised construction of their gymnasium, two dormitories, and two classroom buildings. For 16 years, Roosevelt was a Maine legislator, where he chaired the Taxation Committee and for two years served as House Majority Leader.

Roosevelt set high standards for himself and was a man of integrity who sincerely believed in public service. Known to his many friends as "Rosie," he was also a fun, quiet and observant human being with a strong sense of humor. He will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will take place at a later date. To sign an online guestbook and leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.shoreynichols.com.

Care for the Susi family has been provided by Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home, 191 Hartland Ave., Pittsfield.