Ronald Oscar Yates passed away peacefully on March 29 at the Togus Hospice Care Unit with his family surrounding him. He was 92 years old, and made the most of every day.
Born on Sept. 4, 1921 on Louds Island, he was the son of Harold and Evelyn Yates and went to school there. He spent many happy hours visiting with his grandparents, Mart and Hattie Simmons, while living there.
He moved to the mainland and went to Bristol High, and in 1942 married his ‘forever’ sweetheart, Carol Hatch. He served honorably in the Army Air Force, and was about to be shipped out again, when, thankfully, the war ended.
He came home to work at a variety of jobs which included lobstering, cutting wood, a lawn care business, plowing snow, and keeping up his reputation as raising the biggest pumpkins and squash in town.
He was also on the fire department, and served as a town selectman for many years.
His family’s “Fix It Shop” always needed tending to and kept him very busy, but his greatest passion was his tractor, and keeping the lawn mowed almost every day. He would wait all winter for the grass to grow.
Always witty and trying to strike a deal, when you would mention his name, you would usually hear “what a character.”
Carol had polio and was in a wheelchair, but that didn’t stop them from doing all the things they loved. They went boating, snowmobiling, shopping at Mardens weekly, and, of course, yard sales almost every weekend. He and Carol were married 65 years before her passing in 2007.
He is survived by sons, Philip and Paul; daughters, Linda McLain and husband David, and Cathy Dencenburg and husband Mike; ten grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren.
A funeral will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, April 4 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
He will be laid to rest with Carol at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Round Pond later in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Bristol First Responders, 104 South Side Rd., New Harbor 04554; or Miles & St. Andrew’s Home Health & Hospice, Development Office, 35 Miles St., Damariscotta 04543.
Condolences, and messages 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.
