DEXTER – Thomas R. Tillson, 82, died Feb. 10, 2005, at his home in Dexter. He was born April 6, 1922, at Dexter, a son of Rufus H. and Edith (Marden) Tillson. Tom graduated from N.H. Fay High School, Dexter, in 1940, and the University of Maine, Orono, in 1944. Upon graduation he was employed as an engineer by Carrier Corporation of Syracuse, N.Y. In 1944, he married Imogen Abbott of Dexter in Syracuse. He returned to Dexter in 1946 to join his father in the family hardware business where he remained active until his retirement in 1993. He was associated in business with his brother Robert M. Tillson, later being joined by his son-in-law, Richard S. Pfirman; and nephew, Thomas S. Tillson. During his lifetime he served on various civic boards, including the Board of Selectmen, Plummer Hospital Board of Governors and the Dexter Finance Committee. He was a lifelong member of the First Universalist Church of Dexter, serving in many capacities over the years. He was a longtime member of the Dexter Club. He was also a 50 plus year member and Past Master of Penobscot Lodge No. 39, AF & AM, and was a member of St. John’s Royal Arch Chapter No. 25. Tom was an avid jogger, and up until three years ago when Parkinson’s Disease overtook him, he could be found jogging along the Shore Road waving at the passing traffic. In addition to his beloved wife of 60 years, he is survived by a daughter and husband, Martha and Richard Pfirman of Dexter; sons, David and wife, Nancy, of Westport, Conn., Richard and wife, Cynthia, of Deerfield, Mass.; a brother, Robert and wife, Beverly, of Dexter; seven grandchildren, Karen Rider, Christine Cake, Steven Pfirman, Jordan Oliver, Alexandra Tillson, Martha Tillson, and Jonathan Tillson; five great-grandchildren; nephews, Steven Tillson, Thomas S. Tillson, Walter Abbott and Fred Abbott; nieces, Susan Graham and Nancy Bolduc. Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13, 2005, at the Crosby & Neal Funeral Home, 61 Main St., Dexter. A Masonic service will be held at 8 p.m. following the calling hours. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, at the First Universalist Church, Church Street, Dexter. A reception will be held in the church vestry following the funeral service. Tom requested that the committal service be held “after black fly season.” In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the First Universalist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 294, Dexter, ME 04930; or the Dexter Historical Society, P.O. Box 481, Dexter, ME 04930.
THOMAS R. TILLSON
