ROCKPORT — Freeman Leroy Hawes Sr., 90, a lifelong resident of Rockport, died Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, at the Maine VA Medical Center at Togus. Born in Rockport April 26, 1922, he was the son of Frank Delano and Emma (Kent) Hawes and attended schools there. From 1942 to 1945, Freeman proudly served in the 1st Army 3rd Armored 486th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion as an anti-aircraft artillery gun crewman in the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign. His military tour took him to Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. He returned to Rockport and worked as a truck driver and married Shirley Ryan Sept. 19, 1959.

Freeman worked for many years for the town of Rockport in multiple positions including fire chief, police officer, highway department, and custodian at the town office building.

A true people person, Freeman was always ready to tell a tale or a story. He cherished his family and enjoyed serving his community.

Freeman loved his pickup trucks, camping, collecting coins, and going to dances. He very much enjoyed his hunting and fishing trips with his sons Craig and Wayne.

He was a founding member of the Lakeview Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Rockport.

Surviving is his wife, Shirley Ryan Hawes of Rockport; and their four children, Wayne E. Hawes and his partner, Ruth Sadri, of Tenants Harbor, Craig A. Hawes and his wife, Erica, of Union, Judith E. Hawes and her partner, Larry Soper, of Searsport, and Alison J. Poland and her husband, James, of Warren; two sisters, Mary Dennison of Rockport and Nettie Salo and her husband, Arvo, of Owls Head. He is also survived by his daughter, Bonnie Brann and her husband, Raymond, of Friendship; 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by 11 sisters, two brothers and his son Freeman "Butchie" Hawes Jr.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, Sept. 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain St. in Camden. A funeral service followed by a reception will be held Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. at the Lakeview Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 188 Rockland St. in Rockport, with the Rev. Stephen Tracey officiating. Burial will be held in Seaview Cemetery in Rockport.

Memorial donations in his memory may be made to the Camden First Aid Association, P.O. Box 368, Camden, ME 04843.

Condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the Hawes family by visiting their book of memories at longfuneralhomecamden.com.