Wayne R. Nice

MILLINOCKET - Wayne R. Nice, 75, passed away peacefully Friday, Sept. 30, 2011, surrounded by his family at home, after a short, courageous battle with cancer. He was born Nov. 11, 1935, in Millinocket, to Harold and Esther (Eaton) Nice. Wayne was a graduate of Stearns High School, Class of 1954, and served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960. For 40 years, he worked at Great Northern Paper Co., retiring in 1994. He took great pride in being a Mason and sharing special times with his Masonic brothers as a member of Nollesemic Lodge No. 125, AF & AM, Millinocket. He was also a past member of Anah Temple Shrine, Bangor, where he was a band member. Wayne belonged to First Congregational Church of Millinocket, where he had held a position as deacon and was, at the time of his death, serving on the board of trustees. He enjoyed many years with his family at his camp on Ambejejus Lake, family gatherings in Winter Harbor, gardening, baking muffins and making pickles. Wayne enjoyed watching sports and was always willing to lend a hand to those in need. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Philippa Ann (Houser) Nice; two daughters and sons-in-law, Nadine and Rick McGibbon Jr. of Millinocket and Sherrie and Richard Grenier of Minot; three special grandchildren, Sean McGibbon of Millinocket, Charlotte and Molly Grenier of Minot; two brothers, Gene Nice, and Gary Nice and his wife, Bernie, all of Millinocket; three sisters-in-law, Marcia Nice of Millinocket, Marianne Anderson and her husband, Robert, of Amesbury, Mass., and Mary Houser of Towson, Md.; a brother-in-law, Paul Houser and his wife, Debbie, of Winterport; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends are invited to visit with the family 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Lamson Funeral Home, 11 Tamarack St., Millinocket, where a Masonic memorial service will be conducted 7:30 p.m. by the officers and members of Nollesemic Lodge No. 125, AF & AM. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at First Congregational Church of Millinocket, 274 Katahdin Ave., Millinocket, with Pastor Terry Given, interim pastor, officiating. Interment with military honors will be at Millinocket Cemetery. Gifts in memory of Wayne may be sent to Katahdin Area Support Group, 10 Field St., Millinocket, ME 04462 or First Congregational Church of Millinocket Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 507, Millinocket, ME 04462. Messages of condolence may be expressed at www.lamsonfh.com.