Nelson E. Payne, 94, a longtime resident of Bath, died Sept. 12 at Hodgdon Green, Damariscotta, where he had lived the past four years.
He was born in E. Waldoboro, July 10, 1921, a son of Emory and Susie (Pitcher) Payne. He attended Bath and Whitefield schools.
He married Ione Jipson of Lincoln, Nov. 9, 1953 and they made their home in Bath.
In his younger years, Nelson worked in the woods with his father with teams of horses. He later worked as a truck driver for a construction company and operated his own landscaping business as a sideline.
In his retirement, Nelson became a familiar figure around Bath as he enjoyed his daily walks by chatting with people he met along the way. He also had a passion for trains and took great delight in riding the rails on the Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad Co. of Unity on its excursions in the state in 2001.
After moving to Hodgdon Green, Nelson continued his daily walks making friends in Damariscotta along the way. He looked forward to joining Round Top Ice Cream driver, Gary Woodcock on the ice cream truck on his routine stop at Hodgdon Green. At Woodcock’s invitation, Nelson rode around town while Woodcock made his rounds to businesses up and down the Lincoln County roads.
Nelson joined the First Baptist in Bath in 1986, was a faithful member, and for as long as he was able helped with projects at the church over the years.
Besides his wife, who died in 1967, Nelson was predeceased by daughter, Susan Payne; sisters, Gladys, Eva, Mildred, and Esther; and brother, Maxwell.
He is survived by daughters, Sandra Ashcroft of Augusta, Maryann Squillace of Woolwich, Emily Ashton of Wiscasset, Wanda Thomas of Damariscotta, and Donna Morse of Phippsburg; son, Dana Jipson of Lincolnville; several grand and great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Thurs., Sept. 17 at David E. Desmond & Son Funeral Home, 638 High St., Bath, with Pastor Stephen Rowe officiating. Burial will follow at the family lot in Alna Cemetery.
Donations may be made to a favorite charity.
To express your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.
