Elias John Boles

WATERVILLE -- Elias John Boles, 88, of Waterville and Gulfport, Fla., passed away after a brief illness Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2006, at Lakewood Continuing Care Center in Waterville.

He was born in Waterville on July 25, 1918, the son of the late Thomas and Mary (Saad) Boles.

He was raised and educated in Waterville schools. Elias retired at 55, after working at Hollingsworth-Whitney/Scott Paper Co. for 38 years. He was also owner of Boles Markets and involved in real estate.

He served in the Army during World War II. He was a member of the Waterville Lodge of Elks, the Bourque-Lanigan Post No. 5 American Legion and was an active member of St. Joseph Maronite Catholic Church.

A devoted husband and father, Elias is survived by his wife of 64 years, Blanche (Doten) Boles of Waterville; his children, Richard T. Boles and wife, Carol, of Oakland, Donna Gambino and husband, Joseph H. Gambino, of Bangor, James E. Boles and wife, Lenore, of Oakland, Marianne Greffe and husband, Douglas, of Tempe, Ariz., Susan J. Burnham and husband, Anthony, of Gloucester, Mass., and Pamela J. Cassidy of Falmouth; nine grandchildren, Elias J. Boles II, Kimberly Boles Devir, Heidi Gambino Dubin, Joseph H. Gambino III, Heather Moore, Holly Robinson, and Daniel, Elias and Christian Cassidy; nine great-grandchildren, Cameron and Olivia Dubin, Megan, Kaitlin, Conner and Lindsey Devir, Avery and Addison Moore, and Olivia Robinson; also survived by sisters, Hilda Cook of Bangor, and Caroline Nale of Waterville; brother John Boles of Arizona; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Elias was predeceased by his son, John Boles, and sisters Jean Nacosy, formerly of California, Maheba Cutter and Angeline White, both formerly of Waterville, and Mary Baldacci, formerly of Bangor.

The family wishes to sincerely thank all the staff at Lakewood for their care and concern given to Elias and his family members.

At the family's request, there will be no hours of visitation. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at St. Joseph Maronite Catholic Church, Front Street, Waterville. Committal prayers and burial will follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, Grove Street, Waterville.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Joseph Maronite Catholic Church, 3 Appleton St., Waterville, ME 04901, or to Lakewood Continuing Care Center, 220 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901.

Arrangements are with the Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. Condolences may be expressed at http://www.gallantfh.com