Boyce, Frederick George, 81, North Monmouth, Maine, in Augusta, April 24, 2009. Memorial services will be held at Gallant Funeral Home, Waterville, on Saturday, May 23. Immediately following the service, a reception will be held at the Waterville Lodge of Elks.
North Monmouth, Maine – Frederick George Boyce, 81, of North Monmouth, Maine died Friday April 24, 2009 at the Maine Veterans Home, in Augusta, where he was a resident since Memorial Day 2007. Fred was born in Presque Isle, Maine on June 7, 1927 to Frederick G. and Lena C. (Hendrickson) Boyce. He was educated in the Presque Isle school system, graduating from Presque Isle High School with the class of 1944. Upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II and served as radioman aboard the USS Beaufort and the USS Muskegon. Returning home at the end of his duty, he worked for Northeast Airlines in Presque Isle and Augusta. In his free time, Fred played sax with some of the local dance bands, including the Rhythm Kings, Hal Delano and the Fred Fulton Band. He played with these bands in the Aroostook County until 1953. In the early 50's, he joined New England Telephone Company as a lineman. After moving to Waterville, Maine in 1954, he became a local test man during the time of the dial conversion. He retired as a local test supervisor in 1982 with 33 years of service with the Bell System.
On February 12, 1949, he married Evelyn T. Clevette of Caribou. Together they had two children: Anna of Auburn and Steven and his wife Barbara of
Arrowsic. They were the proud grandparents of Trisha Hutchison, who passed away in 1987, Todd Hutchison of North Monmouth and Katie and Kelsey Boyce of Arrowsic, Maine. Fred and Evelyn shared 53 years of togetherness until she passed away in October 2002.
In 1979, he purchased Beaver Brook Campground. During his ownership, Fred experienced many pleasures. No pleasures were greater than the people he met and the friendships that developed while he owned the campground. These continued long after he sold the business in 1994. Fred was a member of the following organizations: Life member of Bourque-Lanigan Post 5 American Legion of Waterville, Maine; Maine Country Music Association-elected to the Hall of Fame in 2000; U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Frigate Reunion Association; Telco Pioneers of America; Waterville Lodge of Elks #905 and the Family Motor Coach Association. Throughout his years as a member in many groups and organizations, Fred was fortunate to hold the following leadership roles; Director of Maine Campground Owners Association, Committee man of Boy Scout Troop 412 of Waterville, Secretary of the Maine State Softball Association during the Fast Pitch era, Senior Counselor of the United Commercial Travelers Council 554, Exalted Ruler of Waterville Lodge of Elks, and State Chairman of the Elks National Foundation. Following his second retirement, Fred lived in a home he built in North Monmouth on Androscoggin Lake. He happily spent his final years with his long time friend and companion, Geraldine Nimon. During the later stages of his battle with dementia, he moved to the Maine Veterans Home in Augusta.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of "A" company who took exceptional care of Fred until his death. In addition, visits from relatives, friends and the hospice staff helped us all make it through this difficult time "Thank you"
Memorial services will be held at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville, Maine on Saturday, May 23rd. visitation will begin at 1 p.m. with the Waterville Lodge of Elks leading a memorial service at 2 P.M. Immediately following the service, a reception will be held at the Waterville Lodge of Elks. Donations in Fred's name may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter, 170 US Route 1, Suite 250, Falmouth, Maine 04105.
