ST. GEORGE — David E. Harjula, 85, of St. George, passed away in the early morning hours on Sunday, May 11, 2025, after a period of declining health.

He was born on November 25, 1939, to William and Mary Harjula. He grew up in South Thomaston on the family dairy farm, well known for its local milk delivery. One of seven children, his years growing up on the farm included many chores and a fair amount of mischief. He recently acknowledged that he probably was the most mischievous of all the children. The stories of growing up on the family farm were special to him and were a glimpse into a much different time and way of life.

He was educated in the one-room, green schoolhouse on Route 131 in South Thomaston and graduated from Thomaston High School, class of 1957.

Shortly after high school, he married, started his family and had four sons. He married his second wife, Valerie, in 1965, with whom he had two more children. They were married for 53 years until Valerie’s passing in 2019, 18 days shy of their 54th anniversary.

He worked locally, and his first job was mowing the roadsides of the St. George peninsula. He also worked at the family farm and, on occasion, helped his father and uncle with milk deliveries.

He worked briefly delivering seafood, then drove a truck between the quarries and the plant at Martin Marietta Cement Plant. He enjoyed many of his coworkers there and often recounted funny stories from his time at the cement plant.

He worked for F.J. O’Hara and Sons, delivering ice to stores throughout Maine for over twenty years, and finished his employment there as a night watchman in 2014. He was a loyal and hardworking man whose work ethic was unbeatable.

Growing up in a family of Finns, he was very proud of his Finnish ancestry and was always pleased to meet someone who had Finnish lineage as well. As many Finns do, he loved coffee.

He was savvy with most things mechanical. Many years ago, he purchased an old rusted 1952 Allis Chalmers farm tractor and restored it to workable condition. It was a source of pride for him, and up until more recent years, he used the tractor to mow fields, plow gardens, and plow snow.

He was a collector of milk bottles, a lover of country music, and enjoyed attending the different car and air shows at the Owls Head Transportation Museum. In particular, he always looked forward to attending the auto auction held every summer with his friend Lee.

Though a very stoic and shy man, he was very proud of his family and his grandchildren. His genuine smile and laugh, and his quiet sneaky humor will be missed.

He is predeceased by his parents, William and Mary; siblings Helen, Gerald “Bub,” Neil, and Sally; his children Scott, Randy, and Dale; and his wife, Valerie.

He is survived by his children Daryn, Mike and his wife Lynda, Kim and her husband Kyle; his siblings Cheryl Harjula and Bill Harjula; and his many grandchildren and cousins.

A special thank you to his neighbors, Bill and Ingrid, for the years of watchfulness, care and friendship they extended to him.

Family and friends are invited to visit Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland, where a funeral service will be held Friday, June 13, 2025, at 10 a.m.

Refreshments and a time to gather will be held after funeral services at the St. George Grange, 30 Wiley’s Corner Rd, St. George, ME.

Those who wish, may make memorial donations to, St. George Grange 421, 30 Wiley’s Corner Rd., St. George, Maine 04860

SISU!