Linwood Gerrish
May 14, 1936 – July 2, 2022
BAR MILLS – Linwood Gerrish – devoted husband, loving dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa – went home to be with his Lord Jesus on July 2nd at Seaside Rehabilitation Center after a brief illness.
Lin was born on May 14th, 1936, the third child of Reginald Bartlett and Henrietta Meserve Gerrish. He lived in Buxton most of his life – attending Buxton schools and graduating from Buxton High School in 1955.
He married his childhood sweetheart, Judy in 1955. He was 17 and she was 15 when they married. They shared the next 67 years - referring to each other as “the love of their lives.” They share 6 children, 12 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. They taught their family the importance of loving God and each other in good times and when times were tough.
Lin began his working career at Ralston Purina in Steep Falls and retired with a disabling back injury following many years at Cianbro Construction. He was an avid gardener... growing beautiful lilies in his garden each year. Even when his legs failed him, he could often be found rolling his “Jazzie” through his garden paths. When he wasn’t working in his flower beds, he would be picking in his vegetable gardens or his blueberry patch which grew abundantly each year. He was also an avid hunter. He took up the cross bow in his 80’s and successfully bagged his second deer using the crossbow just last year at the age of 85.
After their children grew and began lives of their own, Linwood and Judy decided to join the local rescue squad in Buxton. They became two of the first paramedics in the Town of Buxton. Because the town was in dire need of a new unit, Dad and Mom, along with their “squad” would go door to door in the town asking for donations for a new unit. After the needed $100,000 was raised, the new unit became a reality. They became two of the first paramedics for the town of Buxton. While learning how to place an IV, the other “in training” paramedics often could be found practicing on Linwood’s arms. In 1977, he delivered the first baby on the unit. He served as Rescue Chief for 5 years.
He and Judy were active members of the East Waterboro Free Baptist Church for over 30 years and shared their love of Christ with everyone that they met. He graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Religious Studies and served as a deacon in their church. One of his most enjoyable ministries was letter writing to people he met all over the country to encouraging them to keep running the race that God had set for them. In later years, he became pen pals with his great grandchildren in North Carolina. His day was always brightened when the mail came and there was a letter from one of the kids or from a friend from days past.
Linwood is predeceased by a daughter, Laurie Jean; his parents, Reginald & Henrietta; brothers - Harold, Robert and Leon; sisters - Rita and Ellen; and a grandson, William Ledbetter.
He is survived by his wife, Judy; daughter, Cathy Sargent of Standish and her husband William; son, Robert of Buxton and his wife Susan; son, Linwood of Standish; daughter, Marlene Ledbetter of Pulaski, VA and her husband Bill; son, Reg of Windham and his wife Kelly; daughter in love Sherrie Gerrish of Lisbon Falls; his brother Donald of Apache Junction, AZ, 12 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at Hollis Center Baptist Church (Rte. 202, Hollis Center) on Sunday, July 10th at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the East Waterboro Scholarship Fund (P.O. Box 216, E. Waterboro, ME 04030) or to the Hollis Center Food Pantry (PO Box 180, Hollis, ME 04042)
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com