Waldoboro public leader, fisherman and father figure Art Tainter passed away on Fri., Jan. 16 following a battle with esophageal cancer.
A Republican, Tainter mounted two unsuccessful campaigns for the House District 50 seat. He was defeated by Bremen Democrat Wendy Pieh in the general election in 2006 and withdrew from the 2008 campaign last September following his initial diagnosis.
Tainter, 55, served as Chairman of the Republican Committee in Waldoboro. An accomplished little league umpire, he served as president of the Knox, Lincoln and Waldo Counties Umpire Board. Tainter taught Adult Sunday School at the Soul’s Harbor Church of God in Rockland.
Throughout his fight against cancer, Tainter maintained a positive attitude, according to those close to him. He received much support from family, friends and members in the district.
“It’s sad to lose him,” said state senator David Trahan (R.-District 20), adding that he hoped communities rally around the family. “He was a good man and a good leader for the community. My thoughts are with the family.”
Pieh, sad to hear of Tainter’s passing, said during a recent telephone interview that she had a lot of respect for him.
“It was a pleasure to run against him,” she said. “He ran an honest and respectful campaign. He was a wonderful asset to our communities.”
As a local leader who strived to help his surrounding community, Tainter had spent many years working along the coast.
A long time lobsterman and clam digger, he also worked as a welder at Bath Iron Works for 27 years. Tainter is survived by his wife, Renee, and their five children: Sarah, Aaron, Zachary, Caleb and Simon.
