Ernest Walter Newcombe, of Jefferson, passed away on July 7 at his home following a brief illness. He was born in Gardiner on Oct. 10, 1916, son of Samuel Lambert Newcombe and Pearl (Stevenson) Newcombe. Ernie was the husband of Diane Newcombe.
During WWII, Ernie served in the U.S. Navy aboard the destroyer Doran. He took pride in the fact that he and five of his brothers served at the same time.
Following WWII, Ernie worked as a meat cutter in several area stores and, after a few years at Edwards Cotton Mill in Augusta, he was employed by Togus V. A. as a meat cutter. In 1967 Ernie entered the Windsor Post Office as Postmaster, retiring as carrier in 1989. He then delivered flowers for Berry & Berry Floral for 15 years. All his adult life, Ernie was active in local and state politics. His vitality and love of life kept him socially and politically active well into his 80s. Coming from a musical family, Ernie played the violin, passing on this passion and his fiddle to his great-nephew Sam.
Ernie was a dedicated Grange member, having been a State Deputy for Lincoln County for 10 years and filling many offices in Arlington Grange, Progressive Grange, Nobleboro Grange, Jefferson Grange, and Lincoln Pomona. He was passionate about his vegetable gardening, an avid clock collector and enjoyed horses and horse racing.
Mr. Newcombe was predeceased by a grandson, Lance Mollison; brothers, Harold, Wallace, Philip, Charles, Norman, and Fred; and sisters, Ruth and Joan.
He is survived by his wife; daughter, Theresa Mollison of Windsor; special nephew, Philip Newcombe of Whitefield; step-children, Michael Flynn of Brookfield, Conn., William Flynn of Upton, Mass., and Carianne Sawyer of Freeport; and many nieces and nephews.
Services are under the direction of Hall Funeral Home in Waldoboro, where friends may call 6-8 p.m., Thurs., July 9. Service honoring Ernie’s life 3 p.m., Fri., July 10 at the United Baptist Church on Rt. 215 in South Jefferson. Burial 12 p.m., Sat., July 11 in the Highland Cemetery on Clary Hill, Rt. 126 in Jefferson.
