Carroll W. Harding Jr.

WINSLOW – Carroll Harding of Winslow passed away peacefully at MGMC on Monday April 28, 2025, with family by his side. He was the beloved husband of Audrey Drake Harding.

He was born in Albion on Feb. 28, 1936, to Carroll and Della (Higgins) Harding. He graduated from Besse High School in 1954 and graduated from Thomas College in 1956. Upon graduation he went to work in the office of A.P. Wyman. On March 16, 1958, Carroll married Audrey Marilyn Drake at the Albion Christian Church. In 1959, he was drafted into the Army and served most of his time in Alaska. When he was discharged, he went back to work for A.P. Wyman. After A.P Wyman closed at the end of 1963, he went to work at Cascade Woolen Mill as office manager.

When his father passed away unexpectedly in July 1977, he decided to buy his father’s milk truck, hauling milk to Oakhurst Dairy. His son, Jeffrey, joined him in the business in July 1988 and they had six trucks. When he fully retired from the milk business in 2000, due to declining health, they had 10 tanker trucks.

Carroll was predeceased by his sister, Maxine Duplessie; nephew, David Duplessie; and by his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Janice and Hank Dyer.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Audrey; daughter, Debra Shuckrow and husband Lee, and son, Jeffrey Harding and wife Vicki; grandsons Lee Shuckrow and Nickolas Shuckrow and wife Sarah; brother-in-law, Everett Drake and wife Gail, brother-in-law, Hilton Drake and wife Cindy; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

While he was at Cascade Woolen Mill he belonged to the Waterville Industrial Management Club serving a stent as president. He was also involved with United way. He served as treasurer of the Winslow Congregational Church and also as a trustee.

Carroll was a very quiet soft spoken man and was all about family. He loved spending time with his wife, children, grandsons and extended family. When his grandsons were growing up, he spent many hours playing croquet, crazy eight and cribbage with them. He also attended all of their school functions.

He was a handy man and did his own electrical, tile work and painting when building their house. He loved his garden every summer. Carroll had just put fertilizer and lime on his garden for this year. He and Audrey did many tours in the United States and in Canada including Hawaii, Alaska and the Canadian Rockies. He also played many games of bridge with friends and cribbage at home. He enjoyed reading, walking and lots of sudoku.

The family wants to thank Dr. David Preston for his many years of service and dedication to Carroll. Carroll thought the world of Dr Preston.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday May 17, at 11 a.m., at Howard Cemetery in Winslow on the Augusta Road with a reception afterward at the Harding home. The family asks you to “be kind” to one another to honor Carroll for a life well lived.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com.