Earl Herbert Baldwin, Jr., 87, of Orrington, died Jan. 23 at the home of his daughter, Ellen Campbell, in Holden after a long illness. Born in Seymour, Conn. on May 10, 1924, the son of Earl Baldwin and Ruth Hildebrandt Baldwin, he grew up in Nobleboro and graduated from Lincoln Academy in 1941.
He was a veteran of WWII in the Army Air Corps, serving in the Pacific. In 1943 he married Barbara Hall who pre-deceased him in 2001. He is survived by his second wife, Eunice Folsom Howard Baldwin, whom he married in 2003.
Earl was employed by a variety of interests after his service in the military. In Greenville, he worked for Moosehead Flying Service. In Houlton, he was employed by Atlas Plywood Company. In Bangor, he worked for Bangor Beverage, Standard Shoe, and Eastern Fine Papers of Brewer. He continued his work for employers with the Bangor School Department as School Business Manager. Finally, he formed his own manufacturing company to make fiberglass kayaks and to provide industrial fiberglass services. Baldwin Boat Company was a pioneer in making durable, well-designed boats that have become a growing part of local recreational activities.
He was involved in community on many fronts. He served on the Orrington School Board and the Orrington Board of Selectmen, and he was active in the South Orrington Methodist Church and the Orrington Center Church.
In addition to local community involvement, he was active in the larger community of boating. He organized and sponsored many competitive events, including downriver, slalom, and open water competitions. For 45 years he participated actively and competitively in racing his kayak designs in local and national competitions through the age of 86.
Earl was predeceased by his parents, Earl and Ruth Baldwin; wife, Barbara; brothers, Donald, Lester, and Raymond; brothers-in-law, Vernon Swift, Phillip Beaulieu, Clyde Duncan, George Stafford, and Philip Murphy; and stepson, Roger Howard, Jr.
He is survived by his wife, Eunice; children, Ralph Baldwin and wife Carole Noel Baldwin of Skowhegan, Martha and husband Edward Breau of Sebring, Fla., and Ellen Campbell of Holden; sisters, Mildred Stafford of Arrowsic, Marjorie Murphy of Rice, Minn., Esther Swift of Nobleboro, Jean Beaulieu of Nobleboro, and Dorothy and husband Malcolm Giles of Edgecomb; brothers, Paul and wife Linda of Nobleboro, Douglas and wife Anne of Nobleboro, and Robert and wife Marjorie of Rockport; sisters-in-law, Nancy Baldwin of Somerville, Mass., Norma Baldwin of Nobleboro, Dorothy Castner and husband John of S. Berwick, and Ada Duncan of Nobleboro; stepchildren, Peggy Masterman, Colleen Johnson, Brent Howard, and William Howard; grandchildren including Damon Baldwin of Canaan, Brandon Baldwin and Shenna Bellows of Manchester, Teresa and Glen Holyoke of Brewer, David and Amy Breau of Freeport, Linda and Jon Goodness of Carmel, Denise and Kevin Tracy of Waynesville, Ohio, Emily Thompson and Brian Kelshaw of Dedham, Erica Campbell of S. Portland, and Erin and Jason Baltes of Brunswick; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Family and friends may visit 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Thurs., Jan. 26 at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 69 State St., Brewer. Funeral services 11 a.m., Fri., Jan. 27 at Orrington Center Church, 468 Dow Rd., Orrington. Burial will be in the Hall Descendants Family Burial Ground on Morgan Hill Road in Nobleboro in the spring.
Instead of flowers, donations are encouraged to be made to the Endowment Fund of The Hall Descendants, Inc., 280 Lower Dedham Rd., Holden, ME 04429.
Condolences to his family may be offered at www.kileyandfoley.com.
