Obituary of Joel S. Gardner

Joel S. Gardner, 83, of Montville, Maine passed away at his home on April 20, 2020. He was born in Thorndike on June 18, 1936, to Stanley F. and Mary Stella (White) Gardner. Joel grew up in Thorndike and attended local schools. He started driving tractor trailer at the young age of 16, working for Clement Brothers in Portland before joining the US Army and serving his country during the Korean War. He moved to Cape Elizabeth, started his own trucking company, and worked as a brick mason running Gardner Masonry for many years. He was an avid outdoors-man who loved hunting and fishing, as well as a gun smith and a Master Maine Guide. Joel also founded Gardner’s Hunting Lodge where he hosted many sportsmen over the years. He is a past President of Scarborough Fish and Game and trained bird dogs for many years. Joel loved gardening, snowmobiling and anything involving the outdoors. In addition to his parents, Joel was predeceased by his loving wife of 54 years, Janice M. (Raven) Gardner and his brothers, Philip E. Gardner and Michael McComiskey. Joel leaves behind his children, Steven Gardner of Old Orchard, Sabrena Gardner of Phoenix, AZ and Belinda Erskine and her husband, James, of Cape Elizabeth; his grandchildren Jeremy, TJ (Katie), Keller, Geoffrey, Andy, Grace and great granddaughter, Reese along with his step mother, Greta; his sisters, Anita, Lynn, Fern, Stacy & Lori. A celebration of life is planned for summer of 2020.