CUSHING – Harold L. Smith, 97, died Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2011, at Cushing Homestead, Cushing. He was born March 8, 1914, in Cushing, to Herbert and Iola Foster Smith.
He graduated from Thomaston Academy and Rockland Commercial College. He worked for Gulf Oil for 38 years. During his time with Gulf Oil he worked in Rockland, Calais, Ellsworth and Thomaston. He loved working for Gulf and especially enjoyed the years he worked in their real estate division. He loved to garden. Some people have a green thumb; Harold had a green arm. When he wasn’t working in his garden, he was planning the next year’s garden. Friends and neighbors often enjoyed the food and flowers he grew. For many years he planted 8,000 gladiolas in his garden -the flowers were sold to local florists. He loved history, especially anything to do with the Civil War. He enjoyed investing in the stock market and following companies of interest in the Wall Street Journal. He loved to go out to eat and especially enjoyed a glass of wine with dinner. His stories about his childhood were interesting and filled with historical milestones. He could remember getting electricity at his house in 1928 at the age of 14. He could remember following Lindbergh’s race across the Atlantic. He could remember in great detail the morning Lindbergh took off and how clear the sunrise was as he milked the cows before school.
He was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Beatrice Havener Smith, in 2001; and sisters, Zetta Sturdee, Arlene Whitehill and Marguerite Kangas. He is survived by his daughter, Carol Allen and her husband, Peter, of Union; his grandchildren, Brian P. Allen and his partner, Stephen Underwood, of Scarborough and Petrea Allen of Rockland; his brother, Gerald Smith of Cushing; his special nephew, David Smith and his family of Cushing; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. His family gives special thanks to the staff at Homestead, Cushing, for the wonderful care he received during the past three and a half years.
A private burial service was held at Lakeview Cemetery, Union. Donations may be made in his memory to your local animal shelter. Arrangements are entrusted to Hall & Bibber Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 78 Main St., Thomaston. You are invited to share your condolences with the family by visiting their Book of Memories at
www.hallfuneralhomes.com.