MICHAEL J. LABUN

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Michael J. Labun, 81, died June 25, 2012, at Grafton County Nursing Home, North Haverhill, N.H., after a long period of declining health. Mike was born July 30, 1930, in Madison, son of Michael Labun Sr. and Helen (Siket) Labun. He graduated from Madison High School, Madison, in 1947 and the University of Maine in 1951, where he obtained a degree in mechanical engineering. He married Eleanor Buck Aug. 26, 1950, and they had one son, Scott. Eleanor died tragically Dec. 19, 1957. On July 14, 1960, Mike married June Bushey to whom he was married for 28 years, and became a loving stepfather to June's daughters, June Ann and Cherie Bushey. After a brief career working in the area of machine tool design with Westinghouse and Fayscott Corp., he spent the bulk of his career in the automobile business. He owned Labun Chevrolet and Oldsmobile, Dexter, for 26 years. During his years in Dexter, he was very active in community affairs as a member of Dexter Men's Club, Merchants' Association and Dexter Finance Committee. He also served as a water district commissioner and chairman of the school board. He ran unsuccessfully for Maine House of Representatives in 1968. If automobiles were his business, racing was his passion. After trading a truck for his first horse, Bill Vern Volo, who later became one of the top harness horses in the history of the state of Maine, he became a passionate fan of harness horse racing, serving for many years as the president of Maine Harness Horsemen's Association. After selling his business and moving to Fort Myers, Fla., full-time in 1986, Mike transferred his love of racing from horses to greyhounds. Once again, he became passionately involved in the sport, serving for many years as the president of Florida Greyhound Owners Association, where he became a leading figure both at the state and national level in protecting the rights of the owners and the welfare of the dogs. Mike is survived by his ex-wife, June Labun of Fort Myers, Fla.; son, Scott Labun and wife, Jane Labun, of Newbury, Vt.; stepdaughter, June Swan and husband, Robert Swan, of Portland; grandchildren, Sarah Labun Jordan, Jessica Placy, Christopher Swan, Monica Swan and Maura Swan; and several great-grandchildren. There will be no visiting hours. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Sept. 8 at Crosby & Neal Funeral Home, Dexter. A luncheon reception will be afterwards at Mansion Event Home. Memorial donations may be made to The Greyhound Project, P.O. Box 5239, Framingham, MA 01701; a program that sponsors the adoption of retired greyhounds nationwide. Condolences may be offered at either slabun@ charter.net or juneaswan@ gmail.com.