Donald A. Bowman, 82, of Jefferson, died peacefully Dec. 31, 2008 at Cove’s Edge in Damariscotta after a brief battle with cancer. He was the son of Ralph and Angie Hodgkins, born March 13, 1926 in Jefferson, where he spent his entire life.
He drove a school bus for the town of Jefferson for 36 years. In his younger years Don was a very gifted baseball player playing for the Dodgers organization minor league team. He also played for the Portland Pilots and in the US-Canada Border League. Don spent four years in the minor leagues as a pitcher and pinch hitter and for many years he played in the Knox-Lincoln league for Thomaston, Damariscotta, Warren and Waldoboro. Don also threw out the first pitch at the Bicentennial game in Jefferson in 2007.
For most of his life he was a champion ox puller at the many of the county fairs and in the 1980s made a trip to compete in Canada. He enjoyed going to all the county fairs, even in his later years. Don was an animal lover, having many dogs and cats over his lifetime. He was an avid sports fan and loved watching the Red Sox and New York Giants. He enjoyed talking sports to anyone that would listen. Don also enjoyed going out to breakfast and talking to his many friends at Moody’s Diner and Deb’s Diner in Waldoboro.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by three brothers, Ralph Hodgkins Jr., Wallace Hodgkins, and James Hodgkins; sister, Helene Hodgkins; ex-wife, Pearl Cox; ex-wife, June Burns; and granddaughter, Jeannie Carver of Union.
He is survived by daughters Brenda Carver and husband William of Union, and Virginia Bulger and husband Michael of Shirley, Mass.; grandson, Scott Bulger of Shirley, Mass.; brothers, Charles Hodgkins of Jefferson, Harold Hodgkins of Rockport, and Buddy Hodgkins of Rockport; and sisters, Betty Dunton of Windsor, Phyllis Quimby of Windsor, Daisy Cass of Augusta, Ellen Courtney of Maryland, and Ruby Ellis of Waldoboro.
At his request, services will be private.
Those who wish to remember Don in a special way may make contributions in his memory to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 7, Edgecomb, ME 04556.
Arrangements are by Memorial Alternatives, 205 Center St., Bangor.
