Harold E. Wilson, 63, of Port Clyde, longtime, respected Medomak Valley High School principal, passed away June 22 at his home following a brief but gallant battle with cancer.
Born in Rockland Oct. 12, 1951, he was the son of Ernest F. and Erlaine Pratt Wilson. While growing up in Port Clyde, he was educated in local schools and was a 1969 graduate of Georges Valley High School. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1973 and a Master of Educational Administration in 1993, both from the University of Maine at Orono.
After graduating from college, Mr. Wilson worked a brief time for ENCO Sciences in Rockland.
On June 5, 1976, he married Joline Vainio at the Port Clyde Advent Christian Church. The Wilsons have made their home in Port Clyde all their married lives.
While in college he helped his father build a house in Port Clyde village. Harold learned a lot from his father, who himself was a fisherman. Upon the advent of the first Arab oil embargo, Harold returned to the profession he loved as a lobster-fisherman. Although he enjoyed lobstering, he also loved dragging and shrimping with his Uncle Langdon on the Lone Wolf. With the sea in his blood, Harold also fished with his grandfather, Donald Wilson, aboard the sardine carrier The Nereid; went white fishing and ground-fishing with his father, and appreciated spending time on The Maine Queen with his Uncle Donnie. Over the years, Harold owned three boats, The Green Thumb, The Erlaine E. and The PC. Harold planned to return to lobstering after retiring from MSAD 40.
In the mid-1980s, he felt called to teach math and science at Calvary Family School in Warren, where he served six years. In 1990, he was hired as a chemistry teacher at MVHS. He served two years as head of the science department, before moving on to become assistant principal. Ultimately, he was hired as principal. Harold was the second longest standing principal in the history of Medomak Valley High School.
Always civic-minded, he served the town in many capacities. As a licensed water pump specialist, for nearly 20 years he operated the Port Clyde Water District and served on the Board of Directors. He was a member of the first St. George School Withdrawal Committee, St. George Budget Committee, St. George Ad-hoc Public Safety Committee, and for more than 30 years served as chairman of the board of the Ridge Cemetery Association. He was a member of the National Science Teachers Association, the Maine Principals Association, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and a past chairman of the Maine Principals Association Science Fair Committee.
He regularly attended Lakeview Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Rockport.
Other than his parents, Mr. Wilson was pre-deceased by sister, Stephanie P. Wilson.
He is survived by his wife, Joline; sons, Anthony Wilson, Loukas Wilson, and Josiah R. Wilson and fiancee Angela Lash of Port Clyde; sister, Marguerite Wilson and husband Bruce Hodsdon of Port Clyde; granddaughter, Sunshine Lari-Bird Wilson; niece, Victoria L. Moscardi and husband Sebastian; aunt, Cherie and husband Clifton “Kip” Yattaw; uncles, W. Langdon Wilson and wife Michelle, all of Port Clyde, Donald W. Wilson III and wife Marilyn of St. George; cousin, Winston ‘Rudy’ Pease and wife Janice of Port Clyde; sister-in-law, Linda Champeon and husband Rev. Donald Champeon; and many cousins and other family members who loved him.
Friends and relatives are invited to visit from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., Tues., June 30, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Wed., July 1, at Medomak Valley High School Gymnasium, 320 Manktown Rd., Waldoboro. Private interment will be at a later date in Ridge Cemetery, Martinsville.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Please indicate your gift is in memory of Harold Wilson and will support the Adult Patient Assistance Fund. Your gift can be sent to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via www.dana-farber.org/gift.
To share a memory or story with Mr. Wilson’s family, please visit his online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.
