UNION – Kenneth Luther Orne, 92, died after a long illness on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at the Sussman House in Rockport.

Born in Cushing on June 25, 1927, the son of Alford H. and Bertha (Carter) Orne, he was the middle of 11 children and was educated in local schools.

Kenneth served in three branches of the military, the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Army.

He married Phyllis Miller Achorn, formally of Waldoboro, and had two children with her, Gary and Craig Orne.

On September 5, 1999 he married Mildred (Millie) H. Grindle and for the first 10 years of their marriage they enjoyed being snowbirds and spending their winters in Zephyrhills, Florida. 

A self-taught electrician, Kenneth worked locally from an early age and retired after 32 years of working for Central Maine Power Company.

Kenneth held many interests and hobbies and was an avid reader of books on ancient history and archeology. He became interested in amateur radio at 18 years of age, was a member of the Penbay Amateur Radio Club, and was known by his call sign “K1BEA”. Holding an Examiners license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), he would help many other enthusiasts obtain their FCC license, as well.

Kenneth was also a Mason and a member of the Aurora Masonic Lodge #50 in Rockland. 

As a child he attended the Broad Cove Church in Cushing and later in life attended and became a member of the Peoples United Methodist Church in Union.  

Predeceased by his parents, brothers, Howard, Ralph, and Sidney Orne, sisters, Joan, Edith, and Mary, and a son, Gary Orne, he is survived by his wife Millie of Union; Son Craig and his partner Annette Webster-Bissell, of Belmont; Stepson Robert Achorn, of Islesboro; Adopted daughter Patricia Arrington, of Wichita, Texas, and several grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A memorial service with military honors to celebrate Kenneth’s life will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, December 27, 2019 at the Peoples United Methodist Church, 31 Depot Street in Union with the Reverends Elizabeth Bailey-Mitchell and Linda Campbell-Marshall co-officiating. A reception will follow at the church.

Private burial will be held in the spring at Pleasant Point Cemetery in Cushing.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in Kenneth’s memory to the Alzheimers Association, Maine Chapter, 383 US Route 1, Suite 2C, Scarborough ME 04074

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

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. Rockland, ME 04841.