SPRUCE HEAD – Ralph E. 'Brother' Cline, Jr., 83, died peacefully, following an extended illness, Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at Coastal Manor in Yarmouth.
Born in Thomaston, Brother grew up in Spruce Head where he lived most of his life. He attended the Clark Island School and later graduated from St. George High School.

Shortly after marrying Joan Stanley, he built his own home next door to the Cline homestead. Together they raised their children in that home.

A second-generation lumberman, Brother was proud to have learned that skill from his father at the family's Spruce Head Saw Mill. He operated that saw mill all his working career and was know for his ability as a custom sawyer.

On October 12, 1956, Brother enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Upon finishing that enlistment, he was attached to the Owls Head National Guard Artillery Unit. At the closing of the Owls Head National Guard, he moved to Company B National Guard at (Belfast) where he rose to the rank of Platoon Sergeant. Following a five year hiatus from the National Guard, he re-enlisted with Company B, rising to the rank of 1st Sergeant.

Always involved in community affairs, Brother was active with many organizations including, Kinney Melquist American Legion Post in Tenants Harbor where he was a Past Commander, Eureka Lodge of Masons in St. George, the Odd Fellows, past selectman and chairman of the board for the Town of St. George, the Grange at Wiley's Corner and as a Boy Scout Master with Troop #475 in St. George.

Brother was known as one of the go-to sources for local history. He had a wealth of knowledge and was always willing to share with anyone willing to listen. Ralph was extremely proud of his father's accomplishments as he served in the infantry in France and Germany during World War I. Ralph was also very proud of his father's portrait, 'The Patriot'. In later years he enjoyed spending time with his horse, Mugsy.

Other than his first wife Joan and his parents, Brother was pre-deceased by two sisters, Olive Elliott, Miriam Linscott; a grandson Lewis E. Cline and a great-grandson Patriot Everett Conrad Cline; he is survived by his son Ralph 'Kip' Cline, 3rd and his wife Deidre of Spruce Head; his daughters, Kathy Cline, Donna Cline and her husband David Adams; a brother Gregory Cline all of Spruce Head; his grandchildren, Travis Cline, Ryan Cline and his wife Nola-Raye, Dustin Cline, Danielle Leavitt and her fiancé Jameson Ames, Dean Cline, Tucker Adams, Connor Adams; and a great-granddaughter Kiley Sue Cline, as well as several nieces and nephews and a large extended family.

Family and friends are invited to visit from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland, where a celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 14. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, South Thomaston.

Those who wish may make memorial donations to St. George Ambulance and Firefighters Association, P.O. Box 249, Tenants Harbor, Maine 04860.

To share a memory or condolence with the Cline family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.