BELFAST — Linwood “Red” Boguen, 91, of Belfast, passed away at Quarry Hill in Camden on May 28, 2020 with his family by his side after an extended battle with dementia.

He was born October 25, 1928 in Belfast, Maine to Ava Carter and Frank Boguen. He was a lifelong resident of Belfast, attending various Belfast schools including Crosby High School. He was active in youth sports, excelling in football, baseball, roller-skating and swimming, among others. He played semi-pro football and baseball for the Belfast Merchants in the 1940s and 1950s.

He married his wife, Sandra (Merriam), in 1953. They recently celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. Red and Sandra spent many winters in Lady Lake, Florida, making many friends and acquaintances in those years.

Red was active in many community organizations, including volunteering with the Boy Scouts, acting as Scoutmaster for his sons, Belfast Fire Department for 20 years, and scuba diver, participating in search and rescue. He also coached Little League for the Browns and later the Yankees. In later years, Red served as Belfast Little League President and coached Little League and Babe Ruth teams for his grandchildren.

He was known as a local pool shark and spent time teaching others during his years wintering in Lady Lake. He also enjoyed many years of camping, bowling, snowmobiling and golfing with friends and family.

Red worked in various local businesses, beginning at a young age as “skate boy” at local roller-skating rinks. He worked in construction, truck driving, for the City of Belfast in various roles, then later at Maplewood Poultry and Penobscot Poultry. He retired in 1989 from Portland Transmission in Bangor, then worked in retirement seasonally at EBS in Belfast.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra, of Belfast; his children, Stephen, of Belfast, Barry and wife Cindy, of Swanville, Brenda Coggins of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, Susan and husband Gary Drinkwater of Northport, Karen and husband Brad Bowen of Belfast, and Laurie and husband Darrell Smith of Morrill.

He is survived by grandchildren Christopher Toler, Joshua Drinkwater, Nathan Drinkwater, Aaron Boguen, Michael Boguen, Adam Smith, Corey Boguen, Kyle Smith, Daniel Bowen, Barbara Ann Hammick, Amanda Munson, and Sarah Bowen, and eleven great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by brother-in-law Scott and wife Nancy Merriam, sister-in-law Sharon and husband Walter (Butch) Paul, and sister-in-law Sheila Chandler, and many nieces and nephews.

Red was predeceased by his parents, daughter-in-law Jan, and brother-in-law Bruce Chandler.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to local youth sports programs in memory of Red, or Hospice through MaineHealth Care at Home 147 Waldo Ave Suite 107, Belfast, ME 04915.

A graveside service will be held at Grove Cemetery on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at 1 p.m.

Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home in Belfast. 

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com