MILBRIDGE – Douglas J. Eldridge Sr., a lifetime resident of Washington County, passed away at the age of 84 on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012, in Bangor. Douglas was born, the youngest of 10 children, April 30, 1928, to George and Lucy (Wilson) Eldridge in Milbridge.

He grew up in Milbridge and graduated from Milbridge High School. During and after school, he worked digging worms and clams. As a youth, Douglas had to leave school briefly to help support his family but returned to earn his diploma and later enlisted in the U.S. Army. After his military service, Douglas served for a time in the U.S. Merchant Marine. Later, he made his career painting and performing fiberglass work for Bath Iron Works. In his free time, he enjoyed the outdoors with frequent forays of hunting and fishing. Above all, Douglas enjoyed clamming more than any other Downeast activity. His many mornings harvesting clams on the beach were credited for his fantastic physical condition. Family and food were extremely important to Douglas and his most favorite moments were when those two things happened well together.

Douglas is survived by his son, Douglas Eldridge Jr. of Waterville; daughters, Teresa Eldridge of Milbridge and Lucy Greenwald, and her husband, Mark, of Ellsworth; stepsons, William Lockard of Berwick and Kenneth Lockard, and his wife, Valerie, of Wells; step-daughter, Vickie Parent of Lebanon; grandchildren, Bryce and Destiny Eldridge of Waterville, Toby Howard of Bointon Beach, Fla., Tracie Samiya, and her husband, Howard, of Bangor; and Joshua Eldridge, and his wife, Judy, of Surry; great-grandchildren, Jacob Samiya of Bangor, Jenna Eldridge of Surry, Jillian Eldridge of Surry, and Jaden Eldridge of Surry. He was predeceased by his parents, siblings, and grandson, Tad Douglas Howard.

Visiting hours are scheduled 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, at the Milbridge chapel of Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Homes, where a funeral service will begin 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26. A committal will be after at Evergreen Cemetery, Milbridge. Remembrance donations may be made to Beacon Hospice, 304 Hancock St., Suite 3A, Bangor, ME 04401. Arrangements by Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Homes, Milbridge.