Benjamin F. Crehore III, 77, of Westport Island, died suddenly of natural causes at his home on June 1 doing what he loved best, shooting. He was born in Hartford, Conn. on Oct. 10, 1934 to Benjamin F. II and Gladys Knowles Crehore. He grew up in Manchester, Conn. graduating from Manchester High School in 1952. He received his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in 1957, his Master’s of Science Degree in 1961, and his CAS in 1966, all from the University of Connecticut.
On Feb. 23, 1959 he married Sandra Jean Smith in Mansfield, Conn. and together they raised three children, a son and two daughters.
His teaching career began in 1957 in Swanton, Vt. They then moved back to Connecticut where he taught in Willimantic and then for 10 years in Colchester where he was chief negotiator of the team who successfully negotiated the first contract in that town. In 1969, he accepted a contract with SAD 75 where he taught mathematics for 25 years, first at the Cone School in Topsham and then at Mt. Ararat, retiring in 1993.
The family moved to Litchfield, then Topsham, and in 1983 to Westport Island where they have resided ever since.
Mr. Crehore was active in all the towns he lived in. In Ashford, Conn. he served on the Town of Ashford School Board and as President of the Lake Chaffee Improvement Association. He continued his interest in the schools by serving on the School Committee in Litchfield. When he moved to Westport Island, he served as chairman of the first comprehensive plan and on the committees of subsequent ones, the planning board, the board of appeals, and six years as Third Selectman. He was a third degree Mason, belonging to Morning Star Lodge A.F. and A.M. in Litchfield and to Crescent Chapter #54 of the Order of the Eastern Star in East Boothbay. He was also a member of the National Education Association, the Maine Education Association, the Maine Education Association-Retired, the Mid-Coast Retired Educators Association, and the Lincoln County Retired Educators Association.
Mr. Crehore was a lifelong competitive target shooter, beginning with being on a rifle team in high school and college. His interest continued and one could hear his rifle shooting when he was trying new loads or a new rifle. A gunsmith and good friend in Brunswick, David Purinton, encouraged him to join the Lincoln County Rifle Club in Damariscotta and in 2003, he became the president, a job he kept for seven years. Under his watchful care, safety and environmental improvements were made, leading to the outstanding rifle club the Lincoln County Rifle Club is today. A few years ago, he began to have eyesight problems which led to cutting back on his competitive shooting but in January 2012, he had a partial corneal transplant in his left eye and in March took second place in a 200 22 match with a perfect 200 out of 200 with nine centers.
Mr. Crehore was predeceased by his parents; and sister, Cynthia Crehore DeWyk.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years; and by his children of whom he was very proud, Benjamin F. IV, a career Naval officer and his fiancée Ronabelle Mobe, Kirsten L.C. Figueroa and husband Steven of Winthrop, and Karen Sue Thomas and husband L. Todd of Midland, Mich.; grandchildren, Bryce T. and Emily S. Thomas of Midland, Mich., and Samuel T. Figueroa of Winthrop; sister-in-law, Susan C. Smith of Topsham; brothers-in-law, Bruce DeWyk of Lakewood, Col. and Joseph A. MacDougald and wife Lisa of Madison, Conn.; nieces and nephews in Colorado and Connecticut; cousin, Frank P. Brown and wife Gail of Thorndike; as well as cousins by marriage in Maine, Rhode Island, Japan and Colorado; and a legion of friends.
A tribute to Mr. Crehore will be scheduled at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the scholarship fund of the Mid-Coast Retired Educators Association, c/o Mrs. Judy Michaud, 20 Tedford Rd., Topsham, ME 04086.
