Benjamin E. Kirkland, 82, of Tarboro, N.C., passed away Dec. 25.
Benjamin was a member of the William & Mary Hart Presbyterian Church and a member of the church choir. He was a member of the Leggett Civic Club there as well.
For over 35 years, while living at his Maine home in Wiscasset, shared with Henry Ferne II, he was a member of the National Garden Club, and one of the three founding members of the Mid-Maine Rose Society. He was involved in the early planning of today’s Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay and was also generously involved with the Maine State Police Scholarship Fund and the Wiscasset Public Library. He was a benefactor and 25-year board member of TrainRiders/Northeast, the organization that made Maine’s Downeaster passenger rail service possible.
He was preceded in death by parents, Robert Leonard, Nina Harris Kirkland and Henry Ferne II; brothers, Raymond, Cecil and John Kirkland; and sisters, Mildred Allsbrook, Augusta Hood and Margaret Coleman.
He is survived by brother, Virgil and wife Leah Jean Kirkland; sister-in-law, Lillian Kirkland; and many nieces and nephews.
Family funeral service was held on Dec. 28 at William & Mary Hart Presbyterian Church with Rev. Ron McCracken officiating. Burial will be in the spring in Wiscasset. A graveside service will be held in the spring at Greenlawn Cemetery in Wiscasset.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to William & Mary Hart Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 7657 NC Hwy 33NW, Tarboro, NC 27886.
Condolences may be made online at www.Daiglefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are by Daigle Funeral Home, 819 High St., Bath.
