Milton “Pete” Plummer, 95, of Damariscotta, son of Harry Barnes and Annie Sweet Plummer, passed away on June 13. He was born in Damariscotta in the house that is now the Damariscotta River Association.
Oyster Creek and Damariscotta Mills were where he spent his youth, except for the very memorable trip in 1923, at age 8, when his family drove from Maine to Seaside, Ore. in a new Oldsmobile to visit his aunt, camping along the way. This experience remained always vivid in his mind.
He acquired his own Motel T in 1932, a prized possession for a teenage boy in the depression. He used it to transport alewives to Rockland and to court Mildred Davis, who became his wife. Together they had 11 children, 25 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. They were married for 71 years until Mildred’s death in 2009.
In order to care for his family, Pete used his many abilities. He was a master sheet metal worker and had his own shop as well as being employed for many years by BIW. He had many other jobs from bookkeeping to farming and finally as a supervisor of housekeeping at the State House in Augusta. He and Mildred opened the Victorian Stable in the early 1970s, the first all Maine crafts gallery, which is now the Stable Gallery.
Upon retirement, he and Mildred moved back to Oyster Creek where he enjoyed digging around with his backhoe and growing roses. Much of their time was spent traveling to visit far flung children.
Pete lived a rich and wonderful life and is now together with his beloved wife.
He was predeceased by his wife, Mildred Davis Plummer; sisters, Laura and Mildred; brother, Lawrence; grandsons, Matthew Harvie and Michael Ray; and his great-grandchildren, Amber Meadows and Cameron Meadows.
Surviving him are his children, Judy Meadows, Barbara Briggs, Carol Ray, Marilyn Harvie, Kenneth Plummer, Ellen Hunt, Brenda Walsh, Gail MacPhee, Lorraine Palino, Keith Plummer and Irene Plummer; as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Service in his honor 11 a.m., Fri., June 18 at St. Patrick’s Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Damariscotta Historical Society, P.O. Box 1154, Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Condolences for the family may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
