Kenneth R. Dorr, Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Retired), 101, of Cumberland, passed away Sept. 3. He was born in Ellsworth, the son of James and Bertha Dorr. He studied at education was received at Coburn Academy, Higgins Classical Institute, and graduated from Milo High School. He was a swimming instructor at the Maine YMCA Camp in Winthrop during those years.
Upon graduating from high school, Mr. Dorr joined Dave Diffin’s Orchestra where he was featured as the “juggling drummer” during tours of the dance pavilions throughout Maine and eastern Canada. He also performed in vaudeville shows. After his father James reminded him of the value of an education, he received degrees from Thomas College, Waterville (1926) and Bentley College, Boston, Mass. (1929). Mr. Dorr was proud that while at Bentley College, he got to study under Harry Bentley, the school’s founder and Maurice Lindsey, the school’s second President. He worked his way through Bentley College playing drums at various nightclubs throughout Boston. He also met his future wife of 72 years, Esther Donovan whom he married in Boston on Dec. 31, 1929. They settled in Cumberland in 1931 in a home built by his father James Dorr where they raised their 11 children and lived out their life together.
Mr. Dorr s career was spent as accountant on Wall Street, including the time of the market crash on Oct. 24, 1929, accountant in Chester Foss Accountancy Firm of Portland where he reconstructed the financial position of the Consolidated Utilities of New England going back to the mid-1800s relative to a large civil court proceeding. He began working for the Internal Revenue Service, Audit Division in 1935 continuing until his retirement in 1967 as Chief of the Intelligence Division in Maine. His IRS service was interrupted for the three years he served in the Army Air Corp 1941 to 1944, as a commissioned officer in the Finance Division. After the war, he continued serving in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, retiring in 1963. He continued his education earning a law degree from Blackstone School of Law, Chicago, Ill. He supplemented the household income by playing drums in a band with Max Grant, Doris Leland and Hal Merrill. They played at Gray Legion on Saturday nights throughout the 50s and early 60s. After his retirement, Mr. Dorr worked with Damariscotta attorney Clayton Howard representing numerous Maine lobsterman and fisherman in both criminal and civil issues. He was a member of the West Cumberland Methodist Church since 1963. He was an 80 year member Master Mason and also past President of the National Order of Sojourners. In March 2008, he was honored as the recipient of the Boston Post Cane as the oldest Cumberland resident.
Mr. Dorr was well versed in and practiced good health through the use of vitamins, nutrition, exercise, Tai Chi and yoga.
He cared for his wife, Esther, in the final years of her life until her death at age 96.
Mr. Dorr is predeceased by his wife, Esther and one son Charles Dorr.
He is survived by 10 children: daughters, Esther Safford, Joan and spouse William Brown, Donor Dorr of Cumberland, and Mary and spouse Sonny Chipman of Poland; sons, Kenneth Jr. of Greensboro, Ala., James and spouse Prisilla of Windham, Robert and Barbara of Waldoboro, John of Bingham, Michael and spouse Rose of Gray and William and Sue of Coronado, Cal.; 30 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.
Private burial at Moss Side Cemetery in Cumberland, 10 a.m., Sat., Sept. 13 followed by a celebration of his life at the West Cumberland Methodist Church at 11 a.m. Reception to follow at the Parrish House, Blackstrap Rd., West Cumberland.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the West Cumberland Methodist Church, P.O. Box 426, Cumberland Ctr., ME 04021.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Waldoboro.
