Maitland E. Richardson

SKOWHEGAN -- Maitland E. Richardson, 81, of Skowhegan, died Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at a local hospital.

Born in New Sharon on Sept. 12, 1928, he was the son of Barton P. and Beulah (Merrow) Richardson.

Maitland graduated from Williams High School in Oakland in 1946. He later attended and graduated from the University of Maine, Orono, in 1950 with a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics. He then entered the Army and served with the 40th Infantry Division during the Korean War Conflict. He married Sylvia A. (Richardson) in Yarmouth on Nov. 29, 1952.

Maitland's work history is as follows; Nichols Incorporated of Exeter, N.H.; Arbor Acres Farm Incorporated in Glastonbury, Conn.; partner in Richardson Farms in Skowhegan; and past manager of the Skowhegan State Fair. He was a member of many organizations including the Skowhegan Federated Church; a past president of the Kennebec Tourism Committee; past director of the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs; member of the Loan Review Committee for the Eastern Maine Development Corporation; served on the Economic Development Corporation of Maine; chairman of the Skowhegan Economic Corporation for 25 years; past selectman for the town of Skowhegan; member of the Skowhegan Rotary Club and past president, member of the Blue Lodge, Skowhegan Masons; member of the Skowhegan Elks Lodge; past county chairman of the Somerset County Republican Party, a state representative for two terms, and a panelist on the local television show "Keeping Pace."

Maitland loved his family and enjoyed politics, golfing, watching the Red Sox, and working on home projects.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Sylvia; three children, Suzanne McVay and her husband, Norman G., of Hampden, Elizabeth Steward and her husband, Victor, of Skowhegan, and Joel Richardson and his wife, Jennifer, of Bar Harbor; five grandchildren, Sarah A. Marble and her fiancŽ, Bruce Morneault, of Bangor, Emily C. and Jordan A. Richardson, both of Auburn, Ala., and Rachel and Matthew Steward, both of Skowhegan; one brother, Carroll E. Richardson and his wife, Jean, of Presque Isle; one sister-in-law, Lois Hammann and her husband, Willard, of Skowhegan; one brother-in-law, Donald A. Richardson and his wife, Marjorie, of Florida; along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Maitland was predeceased by his parents; one sister, Willa R. McGowan and her husband, Richard F. McGowan.

Donations may be made in Maitland's memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114 or the Skowhegan Federated Church, Music Department, P.O. Box 504, Skowhegan, ME 04976.

Visiting hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, April 25m at the Skowhegan Federated Church, Skowhegan. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 26, at the Skowhegan Federated Church with the Rev. Mark Tanner officiating. A burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 27, at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Belgrade.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan.