WASHINGTON — Reginald M. Upham I, 71, passed May 14, 2016, with his wife and two sons by his side.

Born in Hope on Feb. 5, 1945, he was the 12th of 13 children of Oscar F. and Almacia N. Wellman Upham. He was a graduate of Union High School, Class of 1963.

Reggie gained so much from what he could give. He was always there to quietly listen and give his opinion when asked. He was a very generous and caring man. When Reggie gave you his word and a handshake, you were a very lucky person. Often when asked why he had done something, his response would be, "Because it's the right thing to do."

Reggie was well known for his beautiful vegetable and flower gardens. Over the years he grew and sold strawberries and dry beans. The stone walls he made are a beautiful addition to his farm. A master welder and metal fabricator, many of the wrought iron pieces he made are in local homes.

Reggie was a past member of the Washington Fire Department, a member of the Maine Gold Diggers Association and a past master and member of the Mt. Olivet Lodge of Masons, No. 203, Washington. As a 32nd degree Mason, he was also a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies in Rockland. While serving as a selectman for the Town of Washington, he also served on the Tri-County Waste Committee and as a town constable and animal control officer.

Reggie was employed at Steel-Pro in Rockland until his retirement in 2010. After that, he continued to drive delivery truck part time in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Prior to Steel-Pro he was employed by Bicknell Manufacturing, where he received employee of the month three times and employee of the year once.

In addition to his parents, Oscar and Almacia “Jane” Upham; Reggie was predeceased by his in-laws, Arthur and Lillian Anderson; his sisters, Juanita, Athlene and Beverly; and a brother, Oscar.

He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of 52 years, Linda of Washington; his sons, Reginald Upham II and his companion, Marion Burns, of Washington, and Seth Upham and his wife, Jennifer, whom he loved as a daughter, of Rockport; his two precious granddaughters, Carol Jane Upham and Katherine Grace Upham; a granddog, Lucy; a brother, Wayne Upham and his wife, Nan, of Union; six sisters, Mildred Brooks of Union, Becki Ripley of Rockport, Shirley Berry and her husband, Vern, of Union, Christine Wellman of Washington, Sally Smith and her husband, Robert, of Jefferson, and Jeanette Grinnell and her husband, Gordon, of Washington; his sisters-in-law, Mary Ellen Anderson of Nobleboro, Kristi Burns and her husband, Reggie, of Washington, and Heidi Anderson-Belcher and her husband, James, of Warren; his brothers-in-law, Arthur Anderson and his wife, Nola, of Warren, and James Anderson and his wife, Kim, of Jefferson, as well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends. Reggie will be sadly missed.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit Friday, May 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland, where the members and officers of the Mt. Olivet Lodge of Masons, No. 203, will conduct a Masonic Ritual Service at 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, May 21, at 1 p.m. The Rev. Linda Campbell-Marshall will officiate. Private interment will be at a later date in Lake View Cemetery in Union.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mt. Olivet Masonic Lodge, c/o Donald Grinnell-secretary, 74 Liberty Road, Washington, ME 04574.