Thomas Appleton Tilton Jr., 82, of Waterville, passed away peacefully May 1 surrounded by his children.
Born in New England and raised during the Depression, Mr. Tilton was a quintessential Yankee. He graduated from Weston High School in Massachusetts, where he met his future wife, Carolyn Adele Robinson. He joined the Navy as soon as he turned 18, and served two years aboard the USS Missouri, visiting foreign ports in South and Central America. He attended Babson and Nichols Colleges, married his high school sweetheart, and settled down working as a machinist for R. S. Wilder, in Waltham, Mass., and bought a home in Natick, Mass., where he and Carol raised five sons. He later moved to Alna, working as a carpenter and town selectman. He briefly lived in East Falmouth, Mass., before retiring to a log cabin in Durham.
He is survived by sons, Thomas A. Tilton III of Waterville, Mark Tilton of Boston, Mass., Scott Tilton of Rockland, Christopher Tilton of Durham and Wayne Tilton, currently working for the Peace Corp in Africa; as well as 11 grandchildren.
Service 10 a.m., Sat., May 22 at North Pownal United Methodist Church. The church is located at 851 Lawrence Road in Pownal.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).
For more information about the service, call 207 688-4938.
Arrangements are under the care of Veilleux Funeral Home, 8 Elm St., Waterville.
