Frederick Bailey Clunie, of Sheepscot, passed away on March 11 at the Cove’s Edge nursing facility in Damariscotta. Born June 21, 1922 in Rumford, he was the son of Robert Clunie, Jr. and Melitta Carrol Clunie. Fred grew up on Academy Hill in Newcastle, and graduated from Lincoln Academy in Newcastle, where his father was long-time headmaster.
Fred married his life-long love, Myra Carter Simmons Clunie, of Great Neck, N.Y. and Jefferson, in 1943. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1945 and immediately joined WWII, serving as an officer in the US Marine Corp in Guam and China. A decorated war veteran, Fred was stationed in China preparing for the invasion of Japan when the war ended. He returned in 1947 and took the job as Director of Guidance at Houlton where his son, Jefferey, and daughter, Barbara, were born. He gained his Masters degree from Columbia University and later worked at Boston University before being called back to active duty. Fred served as a Captain and Company Commander on the front lines in the Korean Conflict from 1952-1953. His son, Richard, was born in 1954 in Quincy, Mass. He retired from the Marine Corp reserves with the rank of Major.
In 1960, Fred moved to Danvers, Mass., and served as Director of Guidance in the Peabody school system and later in the Marblehead school system. In 1984, he and Myra retired and returned to their beloved Newcastle area, buying a home in Sheepscot where they spent their retirement. In addition to serving as a Trustee at Lincoln Academy during his retirement, Fred and Myra were professional wood carvers, with Fred doing the carving and Myra doing the painting. Their work can be found throughout the region and they were members of the Maine Woodcarver’s Association.
Fred was an avid vegetable gardener as well as a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
Fred is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Myra; son, Jefferey and wife Faith Clunie of Medfield, Mass.; daughter, Barbara and husband Jan Kiviniemi of Sheepscot; and son Richard and wife Kathryn Clunie of Newburyport, Mass.; six grandchildren, Wesley and Andrew Kiviniemi; Lindsay and Lesley Clunie; and Paige and Hope Clunie; and sister Barbara and husband Frank Clifford of Damariscotta; as well as many nephews and nieces.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cove’s Care Fund at the Miles Development Fund, 42 Belvedere Rd., Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Services 11 am. Sat., March 15, at the Second Congregational Church of Newcastle.
A private internment will be held with immediate family only.
