NORTH ANSON – Vaughn Ballard Bessey, 91, of North Anson, passed away Oct. 12, 2022 with family by his side at Redington Fairview General Hospital, following a period of declining health. He was born July 16, 1931 in The Forks, fourth of nine children of parents Warren T. Sr. and Mona (Ballard) Bessey.

Mona was a descendant of Clara Barton and Martha Ballard (of book and movie fame, “A Midwife’s Tale”). Warren worked as section foreman for Maine Central Railroad. The family lived in Lake Moxie and Oquossoc, moving as spurs of the narrow gauge railroads closed after logs had been hauled. They moved to North Anson when Vaughn was 5.

Vaughn attended Mark Emery Elementary and graduated from Anson Academy in 1950. He and future wife, Vangie, were two of the 11 in their graduating class. During his high school years, he played basketball and baseball, worked at Pittston and Grant Farms which supported horses used to harvest logs, and at 19, bought his first car (Pontiac Coupe, $75).

He and Evangeline Manzer were married Sept. 29, 1951 in North Anson. They celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary last month.

Vaughn was honorably discharged from the United States Army in January of 1955. He served 16 months guarding the DMZ zone in the Korean War, 2nd Infantry, 9th INF REG George Co., and was a distinguished member of the Rifle Team. His unit brought home the 2nd Division Colors. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal W/1 Bronze Star, Presidential Unit Citation (ROK), United Nations Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.

Vaughn built his family’s home in North Anson using salvaged timbers from local barns he tore down (Vangie pulled the old nails!). He worked as a school bus driver, maintenance technician at Anson Stick Mill, laborer at Hinman’s Reel Mill, Anson Paper Mill, The Devereux Foundation, and Lucas Tree, and as a carpenter for K & H Foster Construction and other contractors. When jobs became scarce in the 1980s, Vaughn purchased, renovated, and then rented two houses in North Anson. He was a volunteer fireman for many years.

As a young husband and father, Vaughn enjoyed family celebrations and reunions (setting up horseshoes, badminton, croquet), weekend camping on the Maine coast, lively poker games, saving money in his “Jeep Fund,” and visiting Rose and Wendall’s camp at Embden Pond. Through the years, he shared many adventures (and was rescued several times!) by brother-in-law and good friend, Sherman Manzer. Dad always found time to support his family’s interests, hang the Christmas lights, build a swing set, play a game, or read a story.

Dad pursued many hobbies, showing us how to enjoy and appreciate fine art and crafts, music, antiques, reading, and the great outdoors. He enjoyed fly-tying, making driftwood sculptures, oil painting, riding his motorcycle and snowmobile, cross- country skiing, driving his pride-and-joy Jeep, and making greeting cards. He was a gifted photographer and talented sketch artist and possessed an uncanny knack for finding beach glass. He would deny it, but this carpenter and construction worker could also pen a fine letter, craft poetry, wrap a fancy package (though you might find a brick), and sing endless old country songs.

Vaughn and Vangie enjoyed an early retirement and traveled the U.S. and Canada in their RV (last in a line of camper upgrades that began with a canvas tent purchased with Green Stamps). Destinations included visiting his brother Dale in Nevada and yearly stays in “The Forest” in Florida. (“That’s not an alligator, it’s just a log…..”). Vaughn realized a lifelong dream to see Alaska, twice traveling there to visit his sister, Ann (the first time in a borrowed camper on his beloved pickup truck).

His children and grandchildren joined them on trips closer to home. For many years, he and Vangie visited sidewalk art shows where daughter Vicki’s late partner exhibited watercolors (helping him to set up and making friends with many artists). At home, he worked on his yard and vegetable garden, enjoyed a good TV golf game (with his nose in a book), and cruised lawn sales for bargains.

Vaughn appreciated nice clothes and jewelry, old cars and toys, good tools, and a job well done. His laughter was uncontrollable when watching Red Skelton, Tim Conway, or English actor, Geoffrey Palmer. Every day he marveled at the beauty around him -the hue of a flower, the shades of a sunset, the sparkle of a star.

Vaughn’s happiest times were deer and bird hunting (as likely digging for bottles in an abandoned foundation) and fishing with brother, Warren and brother-in-law, Wendall Oliver (Wendall being the wise one who got in his car and stayed there while Vaughn climbed a tree to borrow a baby bear to take home and show the kids before returning it…..), RV camping with wife Vangie, playing with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild (or anyone else’s baby he saw), and critiquing every painting in every gallery he could find. His favorite places were Dunbar Hill, the Maine Coast, Prince Edward Island, and Alaska. He especially enjoyed his wife’s cooking (“I’ll take baked potato, pork chops and gravy, hold the vegetables, mincemeat pie”).

Vaughn’s life centered around providing for and enjoying his family. He guided us with his values of honesty, hard work, independence, helping your neighbors, and taking the road less traveled. He expected his daughters to be independent and self-sufficient and gave them the gifts of humor and confidence to guide them. He lived a life of curiosity, compassion, and creativity. Above all, he taught us to laugh at ourselves (and at each other). He would remind us not to take life too seriously and to relax.

Vaughn was predeceased by his parents; sisters Merle Rancourt (Bill), Dawn Butler (Arthur), sister Ann’s husbands and son (Ronald Hewey, Leroy Leisle, son Ronnie, Jr.) Gay Bloomquist Runyon (Victor, Harold), Rose Chipman Oliver (Raymond, Wendall), and Mona May Moody (Gary, Mary Milan, children Kelly Jo and Gary), brothers Warren II (Shirley, son Warren Thomas III) and Dale; Vaughn and Vangie’s infant daughter, Sue Melinda; and his daughter Vicki’s partner, Terry O’Maley.

He is survived by wife Evangeline (Manzer); daughters Vicki Bessey and Jill Browne, son-in-law, Jay Browne; grandson, Jerod Browne and partner Marcy Frontiero’ and great-grandson, Jacob Gorman, granddaughter, Jasmine (Browne) Kozak and husband, Stefan; sister, Ann Leisle; and 26 nieces and nephews.

A military service for Vaughn was held at Sunset Cemetery in North Anson on Oct. 12, followed by a reception at Giberson Funeral Home in Madison. To leave condolences, share memories or photos, plant a memorial tree, or make a charitable donation, please visit the obituary page, http://www.gibersonfuneralhome.com.

The family would like to thank Giberson’s Funeral Home and The American Legion and those who helped the family as Vaughn healed several broken arm bones at home following a fall last December: Vangie’s siblings and spouses, nephew Jim and wife Laurie, neighbors Josh, Crystal, and Sheila, the Anson Ambulance Team, Maine General Home Health staff, Partridge and Kids snow removal, RFGH ER team, and staff and administration of Benton Elementary School, MSAD49.

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