Ernest “Herk” Mildrum, 74, of Cumberland and South Bristol, died May 2 with his family by his side. He was born on Nov. 18, 1931, in New Britain, Conn., son of the late Philip E. and Dorothy Barnes Mildrum.
Herk is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Elizabeth “Betty” Klewicki Mildrum whom he married August 8, 1953. He leaves behind three sons and daughters-in-law, Ernest E. Jr. “Skip” and Susan M. Mildrum of Freeport, Curtis D. and Victoria H. Mildrum of Falmouth, and Christopher L. and Christine A. Mildrum of Berlin, Conn.; daughter, Andrea E. Mildrum of Cumberland; eight grandchildren who loved their “Bompa”, Scott A., Ryan T. and Lauren E. Mildrum of Freeport, Jonathan W., Samuel T. and H. Kali Mildrum of Falmouth, and Nathan R. and Andrew J. Mildrum of Berlin; brother and sister-in-law, Richard G. and Regina R. Mildrum; brother-in-law, Joseph E. Klewicki and wife, Anita; and several nieces and grandnieces and nephews.
A resident of Berlin, Conn. for many years, Herk attended local schools, graduating from Admiral Billard Academy, New London, Conn. in 1949. Herk served four years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict, graduating from U.S. Navy Fleet Sonar School, Key West, Fla. and the U.S. Navy Submarine School, New London, Conn., and earned his Dolphins aboard the USS Corsair. He served aboard the USS Palau and the USS Corsair.
After his tour of duty in the Navy, Herk worked at the Hartford Fire Insurance Company. He spent about 40 years with the E.W. Mildrum Insurance Agency, Inc., the last 25 years as owner and president. Herk was a corporator of the Berlin Savings Bank.
Herk was a 50-year member of the Berlin (Conn.) Lions Club and for 30 years the Rental Chairman for the Berlin Fair. He was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship, the highest honor in Lionism. Herk was one of the original members of the Gilman Club of the Hartford YMCA and a volunteer diver for state and local police searches. Herk served in the Connecticut State Legislature for two terms from 1963 through 1967 as the Honorable State Representative from Berlin. He was a member of the Berlin Republican Town Committee. He was a life-long member of the Berlin Congregational Church.
He retired to Cumberland Center in 1993.
After retirement, Herk was a volunteer at the Boat Shop at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath and took great pride and enjoyed working with the eighth grade students from South Bristol in the Museum boat building program.
He was an avid sailor and loved working and spending time on the family camp in South Bristol, expanding and improving the place the family cherishes so much.
Visiting hours 5-8 p.m., Fri., May 5 at Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth.
Memorial service 10 a.m., Sat., May 6 at Holy Martyrs in Falmouth.
Those who wish may leave an online tribute in Herk’s memory at www.mem.com.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Herk’s memory to the Heart Fund, American Lung Association, Parkinson’s Association, or Maine Maritime Museum Boat Shop, 243 Washington St., Bath, ME 04530.
