Gardner E. Black Jr.

Gardner E.
Black 'Jr.,' 72
GORHAM -- Gardner E. Black 'Jr.,' 72, of Shaw's Mill Road, died on May 8, 2011, at the MMC in Portland after a long illness. He was born in Windham on July 12, 1938, the son of Gardner and Goldie Ellis Black and attended local schools. He married Marlene Foss on Aug. 14, 1959.
'Jr.' was always a hard worker. He was a mechanic for Red Abbott's Auto Sales in the 1960s working on automobiles and heavy equipment. He worked for a few years at Wainwright's Potato Farm in Kennebunk and then worked for 33 years at Pine Grove Cemetery in Falmouth, from where he retired.
His favorite hobby was bluegrass music. He played guitar and harmonica for a local bluegrass group named the Peabody Pond Pickers, and loved to travel all over to many bluegrass festivals. As a younger man, he enjoyed hunting and he always enjoyed fishing when he could find the time. He took pride in his yard and his garden at home. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and his friends.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Marlene; his son, Steven Black; and 13 siblings. Surviving are three daughters, Goldie Gordius and partner Charles Kneeland of South Portland, Dorene Caron and husband Daniel of Gorham, and Shirley Meserve and husband Gregg of North Waterboro; a brother, Robert Black and wife Barbara of Standish, a sister, Doris McConihe of Buxton; his companion and best friend, Barbara Fitch of Sebago; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a large loving extended family.
A celebration of his life will be held at his home at 128 Shaw's Mill Rd. on May 29, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a short service at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations to:
The National Myeloma Foundation
12650 Riverside Dr., Ste. 206
North Hollywood, California 91607-3421
or www.myeloma.org
Gardner E. Black