Richard “Dick” Baston, 93 passed away peacefully on May 29, 2021 at Coastal Manor with his daughter and son at his side. Dick was born May 31, 1927 in North Yarmouth in the Red House (front room, left hand side) at the time the house was of Cora Bell Baston Dolloff, the town’s midwife and Dick’s great aunt. Dick lived in the town his entire life, (same house his mother was raised in). He was the only child of Florence Mountfort Baston and Harold Skillin Baston. He attended North Yarmouth Schools and graduated from NYA. Attended the USM for a short time before enlisting in the US Marine Corps (WWII) 1945-1946. After being discharged, he worked with his father as a building contractor/ carpenter till the sudden death of his dad. He married Rosalyn Isabel Clark, Dec. 31, 1950 (“Ros” passed away in 2009).
Dick is leaving behind two children, a daughter, Gwen A Pollard and husband Wayne Pollard, and a son, Clark M. Baston and wife Marlee Woodcock Baston. 4 grandchildren-Jessica Pollard Robinson, husband Galyn, Nicole Pollard Hamilton, husband Walker, Harold Lee Baston, Mark Theodore Baston, and 3 great grandchildren Alexander Hamilton, Izabella Hamilton, Harlee Baston.
Dick after his father’s death worked for Ernest Soule as a carpenter. Also worked for Lane Construction traveling through New England and New York. He returned to North Yarmouth in 1958, starting his own business, Richard M. Baston, Inc. building contractor, working 45 +years in the business. Dick enjoyed his lifelong home, raising sheep, bees and many other farm animals. He had a yearly vegetable garden and maintained a small orchard. He enjoyed canoeing and building canoes in his spare time. Vacations were spent camping and canoeing in Northern Maine, Baxter State Park and Allagash Waterway. He enjoyed hunting and playing cards. Dick was actively involved in the town of North Yarmouth. He served on the North Yarmouth Cemetery for 60 years, this being his first “got into Town politics”. He belonged to the North Yarmouth Fire Company for 55+ years. He was N.Y. Fire Chief from 1979 to 2001, for 22 years. During that time, he was president of Coastal Mutual Aid Assoc., member of the Cumberland County Fire Chief Assoc. He is a lifetime member of the Maine Fire Chiefs Assoc. He is also a member of the New England Fire Chiefs Assoc. “Being President” 98-99. He was a member of the North Yarmouth Congregational Church-serving as head of the church’s building committee in 1965. He served in the N.Y. Historical Society helped to restore the 1853 old town house in 1976. He served as a SAD#51 school board member for 8 years. He was a lifetime member of the Cumberland Farmers Club. He was a lifetime member of Casco Lodge 36 Mason Lodge. He was a Cumberland County 4-H leader for the sheep and Bee Clubs. He was secretary treasurer of the Maine State Sheep Breeders Assoc. He was a model railroad enthusiast, having a large train room in the “attic”. He was a 470 Railroad trustee. He also helped with preserving the Allagash Alliance Eagle Lake West branch tramway. Because of his love of North Yarmouth he made a donation of land to the town on Royal River known as “Baston Park”. He also sold a parcel of land on Knights Pond Preserve Conservation known as “Baston Woods”. He will be missed.
His Memorial will be, Monday, June 14, 2021 11:00 am at the North Yarmouth Congregational Church, Committal will immediately follow in Walnut Hill Cemetery. Reception to follow at church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the North Yarmouth Fire Company. Send donations to: North Yarmouth Fire Company, 463 Walnut Hill Road, North Yarmouth, ME 04097
Masks are required to attend the service.
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