BUXTON- A. Benjamin Libby ‘Ben” of Buxton, 91, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2018. He was born December 21, 1926 to Effie May Fernald and Merle Howard Libby in Westbrook, Maine. Ben attended Buxton High School (1941-1942), Westbrook High School (1942-1944) and graduated from Bridgton Academy in 1945. He attended the University of Maine and then joined the Army in 1946. Ben served in Okinawa managing food stockpiling for the planned invasion of Japan which fortunately never happened. He left the Army after the end of World War II with the rank of Sergeant.
While in the Army he married Carol May Denison April 28, 1946 in Harrison Maine, Carol’s hometown. Be-cause of Carol’s health, they moved to Arizona from 1950 to 1953 where Ben learned the masonry trade. He returned to Maine and lived in Buxton where he built a new home in the Groveville area. After returning, he worked as a mason for several construction companies including Profenno Construction, Brown Construc-tion and Wiley Construction. In 1977, Ben started the Ben and Andy Libby Masonry Company with his son Andrew. The business thrived, and they subcontracted for many Maine schools and office buildings. Ben retired from the company in 1993.
Ben and Carol were active Democrats attending numerous state conventions as delegates. Ben loved noth-ing more than a good political debate with friends. He also served on the Maine School Administrative District #6 school board for 8 years serving for a time as Board Chair during times of great growth for the district.
After the death of his wife, Carol in 1991, Ben married Arlene Thomsen Carey on February 12, 1993. His wedding was witnessed by best friends Ella and Ken Cobb and was commemorated with the gift of a sliver shot glass. Arlene passed away recently on August 14, 2018.
Ben enjoyed his retirement time splitting residency between Buxton, Maine and Green Valley, Arizona. He enjoyed hiking around the mountains of Arizona. Ben learned the game of shuffle board and became a formidable opponent on the court.
Ben is survived by 3 siblings; Shirley Davis of Harrison, Maine, Esther Surber of Sand Point, Idaho and Howard Libby and his wife Dorothy of Buxton, and 3 children; Chris and his wife Nancy Kaynor of Seattle Washington, Peg and her husband Joe Novak of Cape Elizabeth and Andrew and his wife Charlene of Buxton. He was the proud grandparent of 4 grandchildren; Jeremy, Mark, Emma Libby and Adam Novak and 6 great grandchildren Arlo, Claire, Jacoby, Maxwell and Maryn Libby and August Seiple.
A service will be held on Friday, October 19, 2018 at the First Congregational Church of Buxton (Tory Hill Church) 1197 River Road in Buxton at 2:00. Relatives and friends are welcome to attend. The burial will be scheduled at a later date at South Buxton Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton. Online condolence messages can be submitted at the funeral home website, www.mainefuneral.com
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ben’s memory to the Bonny Eagle Scholarship Foundation mailed to
Pat Nolan Stack, 72 Richville Road, Standish, ME 04084