SOUTH THOMASTON — Patrick “Mike” Florance, 80, passed away peacefully on March 12th at the Sussman House in Rockport, Maine, after a long battle with cancer and other health issues. He leaves behind a legacy of love and dedication to family, friends, work, and community.

Mike was born September 10, 1941, in Little River, Kansas, the first of three children. He grew up in Hutchinson, Kansas, studied nursing at St. Mary’s College in Dodge City, and completed his anesthesia training in Wichita. Upon graduation, Mike joined the Army Nurse Corps as an anesthetist and served until 1968, when he was honorably discharged as a Captain. He returned to Great Bend, Kansas and worked at a local hospital until 1980. That year Mike and his family moved to Maine after he was offered a position at Pen Bay Medical Center. He remained at Pen Bay until his retirement in 2007.

Mike was an active community member and was dedicated to serving those around him. He was a school board representative for SAD #5 and served from 1987 to 1995, several of those years as Chairman. He also served as a selectman for South Thomaston from 1995 to 1998. In addition, he worked for many years with the Knox County Regional Airport Committee and spent much of that time as Chairman.

Mike was predeceased by his beloved daughter Bridget Florance Carver in 2013 and an infant son, Patrick Joseph Florance in 1972.

He is survived by Kathleen Florance, his wife of 54 years, and their three children: Molly Florance of Katoomba, NSW, Australia, Michael Florance of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Andrew Florance and his wife, Caron of Austin; his brother, Robert Florance and his wife, Mary of Kansas City, Missouri; and his sister, Patricia Hiebert of South Hutchinson, Kansas.

He was also beloved by many nieces and nephews.

Mike was such a lover of poetry and history, as well as being of service to the community.

Memorial donations may be made in his honor to any of these fine organizations: The Millay House, P.O. Box 831, Rockland, 04841 (millayhouserockland.org); The Sussman House, C/O Pen Bay Waldo Healthcare Foundation, 3 Glen Cove Drive, Suite 2 Rockport ME, 04856; or the AIO Food Pantry, P.O. Box 113, Rockland, ME 04841 (aiofoodpantry.org)

A Celebration of Mike’s life will be announced in the Summer. To share a memory or story with Mike’s family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.