Obituary

Harold Wilson, obituary

Thu, 06/25/2015 - 3:00pm

PORT CLYDE — Harold E. Wilson, 63, longtime, respected Medomak Valley High School principal, passed away June 22, 2015, at his home here following a brief but gallant battle with cancer.

Born in Rockland on Oct. 12, 1951, he was the son of Ernest F. and Erlaine Pratt Wilson. While growing up in Port Clyde, he was educated in local schools and was a 1969 graduate of Georges Valley High School. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1973 and a Master of Educational Administration in 1993, both from the University of Maine at Orono.

After graduating from college, Harold worked a brief time for ENCO Sciences in Rockland.

On June 5, 1976, he married Joline Vainio at the Port Clyde Advent Christian Church. The Wilsons have made their home in Port Clyde, all their married lives.

While in college he helped his father build a house in Port Clyde village. Harold learned a lot from his father, who himself was a fisherman. Upon the advent of the first Arabian oil embargo, Harold returned to the profession he loved as a lobster-fisherman. Although he enjoyed lobstering, he also loved dragging and shrimping with his Uncle Langdon on Lone Wolf. With the sea in his blood, Harold also fished with his grandfather, Donald Wilson, aboard the Sardine Carrier The Nereid; went white fishing and ground-fishing with his father and appreciated spending time on The Maine Queen with his Uncle Donnie. Over the years, Harold owned three boats, The Green Thumb, The Erlaine E. and The PC. Harold planned to return to lobstering after retiring from Maine School Administrative District 40.

In the mid-1980s, he felt called to teach math and science at Calvary Family School in Warren, where he served six years. In 1990, he was hired as a chemistry teacher at MVHS. He served two years as head of the science department, before moving on to become assistant principal. Ultimately, he was hired as principal. Harold was the second longest standing principal in the history of Medomak Valley High School.

Always civic minded, he served the town in many capacities. As a licensed water pump specialist, for nearly 20 years he operated the Port Clyde Water District, and served on the Board of Directors. He was a member of the first St. George School Withdrawal Committee, St. George Budget Committee, St. George Ad-hoc Public Safety Committee; and for more than 30 years served as Chairman of the Board of the Ridge Cemetery Association. He was a member of the National Science Teachers Association, the Maine Principals Association, the National Association of Secondary School Principals and a Past Chairman of Maine Principals Association Science Fair Committee.

He regularly attended Lakeview Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Rockport.

In addition to his parents, Harold was predeceased by one sister, Stephanie P. Wilson. He is survived by his wife, Joline; three sons, Anthony Wilson, Loukas Wilson and Josiah R. Wilson and his fiancee, Angela Lash, of Port Clyde; his sister, Marguerite Wilson and her husband, Bruce Hodsdon, of Port Clyde; his granddaughter, Sunshine Lari-Bird Wilson; his niece, Victoria L. Moscardi and her husband, Sebastian; an aunt, Cherie and her husband, Clifton "Kip" Yattaw; his uncles, W. Langdon Wilson and his wife, Michelle, all of Port Clyde, Donald W. Wilson III and his wife, Marilyn, of St. George; his cousin, Winston “Rudy” Pease and his wife, Janice, of Port Clyde; his sister-in-law, Linda Champeon and her husband, Rev. Donald Champeon. Harold also had many cousins and other family members who loved him.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit Tuesday, June 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 1 at 2 p.m. at Medomak Valley High School Gymnasium, 320 Manktown Road in Waldoboro. Private interment will be at a later date in Ridge Cemetery in Martinsville.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Please indicate your gift is in memory of Harold Wilson and will support the Adult Patient Assistance Fund. Your gift can be sent to Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or online at dana-farber.org/gift.