Michael Lee Earle

SKOWHEGAN – Michael Lee Earle, 65, left this world far too soon on Aug. 22, 2025, succumbing to his injuries sustained from a freak accident doing what he loved – working in the field. A leap year baby, he was born Feb. 29, 1960, to Robert William and Mary Elizabeth (Pooler) Earle. He joined his parents and three sisters who together ran a successful dairy business, Grassland Farms.

Upon graduating from Skowhegan Area High School in 1978, Michael attended classes in building technology at Eastern Maine Vocational Technical Institute followed by his service to the U.S. Army as a heavy equipment operator in 1980. He found his calling in 1982 when he entered the MEBA Calhoon Engineering School to become a Marine Engineer, graduating in 1986.

He spent many years at sea and sailed on many vessels seeing the world from a perspective few will ever know. Michael worked ashore as an engineer in many places but most notably, he worked for Calpine Power (Rumford Power) until he accepted the role of Facilities Director at Backyard Farms in Madison, the position he retired from in 2023.

Michael was everybody’s friend, and no kinder soul has walked this planet. He had a smile that would light up a room and an amazing sense of humor. He enjoyed the outdoors and walks in the woods. He was a ‘jack of all trades’ and stayed busy working at the many properties called ‘home’. Michael loved being at camp on Lake Wesserunsett and out on the boat cruising the shoreline. He loved home on ‘the hill’ where there were many fires in the pit in the back yard. And he loved his home in Florida where he enjoyed tinkering and taking his daily trips to Home Depot for “something”. But nothing made him happier than his family. He married Ida Gagnon on Oct. 23, 1993, and together they raised their three boys, Brady, Ryan and Michael. In 2022, he became “Bumpa” to Weston Wayne and to Millie Jayne in 2024. Weston and Bumpa shared many hours playing with tools, kicking balls, throwing rocks and so many things. His passing will leave an unimaginable void on us all.

Michael was predeceased by his father, Robert Earle; sisters Judy Earle Theriault and Jane Earle Little; nephew, Adam Harville, and niece, Chelsea Bearor.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Ida; sons Brady Burkhart, Ryan Burkhart and wife Emily, and Michael W Earle; his grandson, Weston Wayne and granddaughter, Millie Jayne; his mother, Mary Earle; sister, Dawn Earle Bearor, brother-in-law, Stephen Bearor; niece, Erin (Davis) Dore, nephews Casey and Christopher Bearor and Robert Harville; and many cousins; close friends and neighbors.

A celebration of Michael’s life will be held at T & B’s Celebration Center, 414 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, on Sunday, Sept. 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. At 2 p.m., we will be sharing stories and memories for anyone who’d like to share.

Please visit Michael’s memorial page at https://svremembrancecenter.com/obituaries/michael-earle where condolences, photos and special memories may be shared.