OWLS HEAD — Gordon M. Poland, USAF Retired, 83, died April 14, 2020, at the Sussman Hospice House in Rockport.

He was born January 16, 1937, the son of Leon F and Lucie ‘Dot’ Bowden Poland.

Leaving home shortly after graduation from Camden High School, Class of 1955, Gordon enlisted in the USAF. Gordon was a combat vet in the Viet Nam War and was recipient of various awards and medals, including The Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Accommodation Award, and the State of Maine Silver Star.

Gordon met and married the love of his life, Doreen H. King. While stationed in England, they married on January 16, 1957. At the time of his passing they were married 63 years.

Upon completion of his military duties, Gordon returned to his home in Camden and started a new career as a guard at Maine State Prison, retiring in 1996. At various times was also employed as a police officer for Hatton, North Dakota; Rockport, Maine; Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Maine; and as a security guard for Pen Bay Medical Center. After moving to Owls Head, he held the position of Animal Control Officer for many years.

An avid sportsman and hunter, Gordon especially enjoyed deer hunting and ‘Birding’ in Northern Maine.

Gordon was a lifetime member of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, Disabled American Vets, Military Order of the Purple Heart and Viet Nam Sentry Dog Handler’s Association. He was also a Master Mason at St. Paul’s Lodge in Rockport, a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason in Grand Forks, ND, and a member of the Kora Temple Shrine in Lewiston, Mid Coast Shrine Club, the American Legion Post #1 and Rockland B.P.O.E 1008.

In addition to his parents, Gordon was predeceased by his sisters, Kathleen Poland Walsh and Helena Poland Banks Sawyer, and nephew Brian Walsh.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Doreen of Owls Head; two sons, Lee and his wife Rosa, of Florida, Mark and his wife Astrid of Germany; a daughter, Wanda of Rockland; grandchildren, Steve of Germany, Kory and his partner Sarah of Waldoboro, Heather of St. George, and great-granddaughters Delilah of Appleton, Aubrey and Norah of Waldoboro; nieces, nephews, Phillip, Kate, Amy, and Nancy Banks; and several cousins.

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, Gordon’s family has chosen to have a private service with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, Gordon requested donations be made in his name to the American Legion Post #1, P.O. Box 335, Rockland, Maine 04841 ATTN: Scholarship Awards or Pope Memorial Humane Society, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, Maine 04841.

Arrangements are by Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 9 Mountain Street, Camden, Maine 04843. To share a memory or story with the Poland family, visit their Book of Memories at longfuneralhomecamden.com