Person Page - 641

Elwood “Keith” Lovejoy Jr.

BENTON – Elwood “Keith” Lovejoy Jr., 63, of Benton passed away peacefully at home on Friday, April 9, 2021 after several years of declining health, with his loving wife by his side. Elwood was born on April 2, 1958 in Waterville. He was the son of Elwood and Gloria Lovejoy Sr. of Gardiner. If you asked a hundred people who Elwood was, they’d all give you a different story: A hard worker; A one-armed superhero; An avid coin collector; A good friend; Most importantly, he was a loving son, brother, husband, dad and grandfather who enjoyed spending time outdoors puttering and gardening. He grew up locally, attending Gardiner Area High School, graduating in 1976. Shortly after graduation and an honorable discharge from the Navy, he married the love of his life, Elaine. He was a jack-of-all-trades, working in a variety of capacities over the years. Together, they raised three children. In addition to his children, he was the proud grandfather of 13- expecting the arrival of his first great-grandchild later this month. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Elaine; his two daughters, Jessica (Lovejoy) Doody of West Gardiner and her husband Scott, and Jennifer (Lovejoy) Morris of Madison and her fiancé Don, as well as his son, Nicholas Lovejoy of Waterville, and his wife Kari. Preceded in death by his father; he is also survived by his mother, Gloria Lovejoy of Gardiner; and two sisters, Lisa Cody and her husband Rick of Litchfield and Kris Barron and her husband Steve of Gardiner and their families. A celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, April 14 at 11 a.m. at Family Worship Center in Augusta. The address is 2590 North Belfast Ave. There will be a luncheon afterwards downstairs. The family will be there to welcome friends and relatives. Arrangements are under the direction and care of Aable Cremation Service, Waterville.⁴

GARDINER - It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Elwood K. Lovejoy, Sr. on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at his home after a valiant battle with Parkinsons.
Elwood was born on May 30, 1936 in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine to Floyd V. Lovejoy, Sr. and M. Charlene (Smith) Lovejoy. Elwood spent his younger years in Bradford, Charleston and Pittsfield, Maine, graduating from Maine Central Institute in 1954 where he participated in the school band and orchestra and was a member of the National Honor Society.
He grew up on his parents’ poultry farm in Pittsfield, Maine, driving a truck for his father hauling 100 lb. bags of grain for the family farm and others and hauled live poultry from their farm and other farms to Belfast for processing. Following graduation, Elwood joined the Maine Air National Guard where he proudly served for 8 years.
On June 22, 1957 he married Gloria Bridgham in Pittsfield and they recently celebrated 61 years of marriage while residing in Gardiner since 1966. Gloria took phenomenal care of Elwood since his Parkinson’s diagnosis at the age of 70.
Elwood started a career in the newspaper industry at the Pittsfield Advertiser where he became a foreman and production manager. He and Gloria moved to Waldoboro, working for the Waldoboro Press then moved to Augusta and worked for Eagle Publishing in Gardiner, and the Kennebec Journal and Central Maine Newspapers, retiring after nearly 36 years in the composing room. Elwood served several years as President for Local #643 Typographical Union. After retirement, he worked for a brief time at Sam’s Club.
Elwood enjoyed many years at the family camp on Sebec Lake fishing and hunting and later enjoyed camping and traveling to campgrounds in Boothbay Harbor and Bar Harbor. He enjoyed family gatherings, cookouts, dinners and the annual Christmas Eve get togethers. He loved to play cribbage. He loved his family and grandchildren immensely and loved being “Grampy”. Every birth, award, graduation, birthday and wedding brought praise and joy. His advice, sense of humor and gentleness will be greatly missed.
Elwood is survived by his wife and best friend of 61 years, Gloria; his children and their spouses: Elwood, Jr. (Elaine) of Benton; Lisa (Rick) Cody of Litchfield; and Kris (Stephen) Barron of Gardiner; his grandchildren, Jessica (Scott) Doody of Randolph; Jennifer (Michael) Morris of Waterville; Nicholas (Kari) Lovejoy of Waterville: Joshua (Erika) Cody of Litchfield; Ashley (Joe) Croll of West Gardiner; Renee Barron and Allison Barron of Gardiner; 15 great grandchildren; His brother, Floyd V. Lovejoy, Jr. and his wife, Juanita, of Augusta; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday December 7th, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, where a memorial service will follow at 4:00pm.
Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website: familyfirstfuneralhomes.com
Donations in Elwood’s memory can be made to:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation Donation Processing P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014
Or to:
Friends of Acadia 43 Cottage Street P.O. Box 45 Bar Harbor, Maine 04609²