STANFORD IRVIN TRASK

HAMPDEN, Mass. -- Stanford Irvin Trask, 88, died on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Hampden, Mass., after a protracted illness. He was born in Wilton, Maine, Oct. 15, 1924, the son of Duncan and Mary Trask.

Mr. Trask graduated Wilton Academy in 1943, where many knew him as "Punk." He played basketball, baseball, hockey and football. He also dabbled in theater and was especially interested in mathematics.

In World War II, Stan served in the Philippines with the 874th Airborne from 1943 to 1946. He then attended the University of Maine where he majored in mathematics and played football.

On Sept. 2, 1950, Stan married Alice Harnden at Grace Methodist Church in Winthrop, Maine. After their marriage, he and Alice lived in the Bangor, Maine area. Stan worked at Bucksport High School as a physics, chemistry and general science teacher and football coach, while Alice worked as a medical secretary.

Stan, Alice and their two children moved to Kittery, Maine, so he could start his career as a principal at R.W. Traip Academy. They spent nine years in Kittery where they enjoyed hunting for antiques and restoring an old farmhouse. He was enriched by the beach community, golf opportunities and the lasting friendships he made during his time there. Eventually, the Trasks moved to Waterville, Maine, when Stan became the principal of Waterville High School in 1965, where he stayed until his retirement 18 years later. Stan was a well-respected educator, recognized for his impact by his election to the head of the National Principals Association. While in semi-retirement, Stan continued his work in education, recruiting for Central Maine Vocational Technical School.

In 1969, Alice and Stan bought a beach house on Popham Beach in Phippsburg, Maine, which is where they moved after Stan's retirement. There he held a temporary position as the Phippsburg Elementary School principal and was subsequently elected to the Phippsburg School Board.

In retirement, Mr. Trask was very active, serving on the board of the Popham Chapel in various capacities and on the Phippsburg Cemetery Association board of directors. He was busy golfing, swimming, bowling and clamming with his grandchildren.

He spent many an afternoon and evening cheering on the Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics.

He was well-traveled, venturing to Russia and Eastern Europe for business and pleasure, to England to trace his roots back to the 1100s, in addition to Italy, Alaska and almost the entire Eastern U.S. seaboard.

Stan is survived by his son, Steven Trask, of Clinton, Maine, and former daughter-in-law, Patricia Trask, of Vassalboro, Maine; a daughter, Lee Anne Madersky and son-in-law Thomas Madersky, of Union, Conn.; three grandchildren, Katherine Madersky Hutton and her husband, Jason Hutton, of Somers, Conn., Joseph Madersky, of Plainville, Conn., and Eleanor Grace Trask, of Augusta, Maine, and her child, Stan's great-grandchild, Isabelle Anne. He is also survived by his sister, Elizabeth Trask Morrison, of Dixfield, Maine; his nieces and nephews, Susan Knockwood, Kim Downs, Jeff Nadeau, Mary Elizabeth Dailey, Michael Morrison, all of Maine, and David Nadeau, of North Carolina.

Stan was predeceased by his wife, Alice Trask, who passed away in July of this year. He is also predeceased by his sister, Eleanor Trask Nadeau.

Stan's family is thankful for the care and professionalism extended to Stan by the staff and caregivers during the time he resided at Sunnybrook Village in Brunswick, Maine, Emeritus in South Windsor, Conn., and at Wingate in Hampden, Mass.

A visitation hour will commence at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012, at Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick, followed by a celebration of life ceremony at 11 a.m. in honor of both Stan and Alice Trask. Memorial contributions may be made to the following charities: Popham Chapel, 40 Bayledges Road, Phippsburg, ME 04562; or to Phippsburg Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, 1042 Maine Road, Phippsburg, ME 04562.