Obituary of Roland G. Reid

THORNDIKE- Roland G. Reid Sr., 90, died peacefully September 14, 2015 at Augusta Center for Health & Rehabilitation after a long period of failing health. His Grandson, Roland 3rd, was at his side. Roland was born August 4, 1925 the first son of Roland Reid and Marion (Sheerin) Reid. As a young man, He was an avid sportsman who loved canoe racing, hunting and fishing . He graduated from High School in West Roxbury, Massachusetts and served in the US Army Air Corp during WW II. He married Ruth Humsey, and when the war ended, his love of hunting and fishing brought them to Maine. They purchased a farm in Thorndike and spent the next 20 years farming and raising a family. While still farming, Roland took flying lessons and earned a Commercial Pilots license. When the children were grown, he sold the dairy cattle and headed north where he converted his interests into a new career. With his love of flying and the outdoors, it was a natural for him to become a bush pilot. He purchased a float plane and built several sporting camps in Newfoundland and Labrador and began a business catering to sportsmen. For the next 30 years, he lived the life of his dreams, and he took great pleasure in sharing that with his family. He worked in Canada through the summer and fall and then headed back to Maine in the winter. Excitement was in the air when the season ended and he brought the plane home, making a fly-by over the farm and tilting his wings signaling that he was back and needed someone to go to the lake and bring him home. After retiring, he enjoyed his daily swim, his beloved dog, Rocky, and the continuous chaos and commotion created by living with five generations of family members and their events. Roland is survived by four sons; Roland “Greg” Jr and wife Pat, of Thorndike, Michael and wife Nancy, of Vail, CO, Bruce Reid and Raymond Reid both of Thorndike, and a daughter, Susan and Forest Hart of Monroe. He is also survived by eight Grandchildren; Roland Reid 3rd of Thorndike, Crystal Reid and Bill Albertson of Canaan, Scott and Amanda Reid of Alton, Jennifer and Levi Thorne of Jackson, Wyoming, Steven Reid of Vail, Colorado, Kathy and Mark Power of Bainbridge Island, Washington, Brett Reid of Machias, and Allex Kirkland of Thorndale, PA. He also leaves thirteen Great Grandchildren: Heather & Joanna Reid of Thorndike, Alex, Andrew & Shawn Bristol of Brattleboro, VT, Billy Albertson of Canaan, Hanna & Natalie Storman and Ian & Ainsley Reid of Alton, Ethan and Eva Thorne of Jackson, WY, and Taylor Reid of Machias. For the past nine years he has shared a special bond with his Great, great granddaughter, Isabela Serrano, of Thorndike. He was predeceased by his wife Ruth, his grandson Jesse Reid, his parents, four brothers and one sister. At Roland’s request, there will be no services. The family invites friends and neighbors to join them at any of their respective homes on Reid Road in Thorndike, Sunday afternoon, October 4th to share memories and a Time of Remembrance . Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home, Belfast, Me. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.ripostafh.com.