Gordon Folsom Obituary (1923 - 2015)

Gordon Howard Folsom GARDINER -- Gordon H. Folsom, 91, of the Maine Veterans Home, Augusta, and formerly of the Capen Road, died February, 18th, 2015, after a courageous battle with dementia. He was born in Presque Isle, Maine on December 10, 1923, the son of the late Ralph Arnold Folsom, Sr. and Edna [Leathers] Folsom. Gordon grew up in Presque Isle, Lincoln and Bangor. Gordon left Bangor High School in 1941 to join the Marines. He fought in the Pacific Theatre during World War II against the Japanese. After serving in Bougainville & Guadal Canal, Gordon developed Filariasis. He was shipped back to the States to the Naval Yard @ Oakland, CA. He was given a choice of stations to finish his enlistment of Newport, RI, Naval Yard, Brunswick Naval Air Station, or a base in San Francisco. Since his parents were now living in Springfield, MA, he decided to take Newport to be closer to them. While at Newport serving on guard duty at a Navy gate in Middletown, a young lady on horseback caught his eye. Gordon made his mind up right then and there that this was the girl to spend his life with. Her name was Virginia Simmons. They were married on January 20, 1945 at St. Marys Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, RI. They would have been married for 62 years on Friday, January 20th , 2007, but unfortunately Virginia passed away on January 18th, 2007. During their early marriage, they lived in and around the Providence and Middletown, RI area working on farms eventually ending up at Virginias parents farm in Middletown. Gordon and Virginia also ran a small neighborhood store for a short time as well. In the spring of 1952, Gordon took a job as a salesman for Progressive Food Distributors of Gardiner, ME, his brother Ralph's company. He traveled back and forth between Gardiner and Middletown on weekends to visit his family. Then in August of 1952, Virginia and their two sons Stephen and Scott moved to Randolph to join him. The family lived in Randolph until the fall of 1957 when they moved to Gardiner where Gordon continued to live until entering the Maine Veterans Home in Augusta in September 2012. As a salesman, Gordon spent a great deal of time on the road. After Progressive Foods moved to Winthrop in 1965, Dad soon left and landed a job with Associated Grocers of Maine in 1968. He retired in 1989 from AG as a buyer. Gordon received many awards for his sales ability during his career. He was recognized for his sales in everything from disposable razors to kitty litter.After retiring, Gordon worked about five years for the Hannaford Store in Gardiner part-time. He has also made a hobby, or actually another career of sorts of his property on the Capen Road. Many people commented over the years about seeing Gordon working like a 20 year-old in his yard. He and Virginia were always very proud of their home and grounds. Virginia grew many plants and flowers each year. It is well known she was especially proud of her roses. Gordon devoted much of his time in his later years maintaining a beautiful yard with many interesting creations for his family. The Kennebec Journal ran a local interest story on the Folsom yard in August of 2005. He and Virginia were very fortunate to have shared 18 wonderful years together in retirement. Gordon was a music lover his whole life starting with big bands like Glenn Miller and the Dorsey brothers. Later he enjoyed country music and was a fan of Elvis and Willie Nelson. He also enjoyed the Eagles & Frank Sinatra. He even did karaoke for several years after he retired, and gave many tapes he'd made to family and friends. Gordon was a member of Christ Church in Gardiner for 63 years. He was a longtime member of American Legion Post #4 and lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #9 in Gardiner. He was also a member for many years of the Marine Corps Association of Quantico, Virginia and volunteered his time to help raise money for the Marine Corps Museum. He also volunteered his time in encouraging local businesses in the Augusta-Gardiner area to use the Special Edition Marine Corps Issue Postage Stamp when it was available. He was a proud veterans supporter and was thanked many times for his service. Gordon has also been a member of the Masons for over 57 years. In the spring of 2008, he received a lifetime pin designating his 50 years in a ceremony at the Morning Star Lodge #41, Litchfield. Gordon was predeceased by his parents; his wife Virginia; his sister Helene [Folsom] Erskine and husband Roger of North Carolina; his brother-in-law Franklyn Buell of New York; and his brother Ralph Folsom, Jr. and wife Dorothy [Bragdon] Folsom, of Florida. Gordon is survived by sons Stephen Folsom, Sr. and his wife Theresa of Randolph, and Scott Folsom and his wife Lee-Anne of Vassalboro. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren,14 great-grandchildren & several, nieces and nephews. Gordon is also survived by his younger sister Glendora [Folsom] Buell of Nassau , NY. Arrangements are made under the care of Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner There will be no visiting hours. A service with military honors will be held at Staples Funeral Home on Saturday, February 21st at 1:00 p.m. Gordon will be buried in St. Marys Cemetery in Portsmouth, RI in the Spring alongside his beloved wife Virginia where a brief graveside service will be held at that time. The family would like to thank the staff at the Maine Veterans home in Augusta for all of their support during Dad's time living there. It was so much appreciated. The family would also like to thank the Maine General Hospice staff. It was very helpful. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Gordons name may be made to a charity of your choice. Condolences to the family may be expressed via http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com