CUSHING — Willard H. Payson, Jr., 92, died Thursday, April 30, 2020 at the Sussman House in Rockport, Maine, after a short illness. Will Payson was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 21, 1928, the child of Willard H. Sr., and Mary Esther Nissen Payson.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Saunders Payson, and his two children, John A. Payson and wife Deborah of Exeter, New Hampshire and Deborah P. Hanson and husband Timothy Hanson, of Bedford, New Hampshire; three granddaughters, Allison Payson Bowen and husband Swen of Newmarket, New Hampshire, Elizabeth Payson Rodriguez and husband Oscar of Stratham, New Hampshire and Taryn Hanson Lennon and husband Michael of Bedford, New Hampshire; two great-granddaughters, Mckenna and Kendall Lennon, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Other than his parents, Will was predeceased by his sister, June Payson Kinne, in 2015.

Will grew up in West Roxbury and Needham, Massachusetts, spending many summers in Cushing, Maine. He played all sports at Needham High School and was a member of the 1946 State Champion Hockey team and was a Bay State Hockey League All Star.

After two years of service in the U.S. Army in Trieste, he graduated Cushing Academy and then enrolled at the University of New Hampshire where he was a varsity hockey player and co-captain of the 1953 team. He met
the love of his life at the university and they graduated and were married in 1953.

During his working years he and his family lived in Hampton, New Hampshire, where he also volunteered with the youth hockey program. His career was divided between State Mutual Life Insurance Company, in Worcester, Massachusetts, and Union Mutual (UNUM), Portland, Maine, where he worked in group sales and as a Pension Consultant and regional manager.

After retiring in 1989, he spent many pleasant years living in Cushing enjoying the waters of the St. George River and Maple Juice Cove. He was active in community affairs and served one term as a selectman in Cushing.

Services will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.

To share a memory or story with Will’s family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Memorial donations may be given to the Broad Cove Community Church; 87 Pleasant Point Road, Cushing, ME 04563., or MCH Meals on Wheels; 46 Summer Street, Rockland, ME 04841