Clarence Melton Ahlquist

Clarence Melton Ahlquist Because of the love and grace of God for His children, Clarence M. Ahlquist was called to the Home prepared for those who trust Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Surrounded by his family he passed away peacefully at the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough on December 31, 2013. Clarence was born at home in Scarborough, Maine on January 29, 1922, the first child of Carl E. T. & Adelaide Ahlquist. He attended schools in Scarborough and graduated from the Bessey (Scarborough) High School, one of thirteen students. During World War II he joined the U.S. Coast Guard and was stationed in the Philippines. In 1947 he married Arlene Christensen of Scarborough where they settled and raised their family of six children. He was a Reserve Police Officer for the Town of Scarborough, and worked for many years at Yerxaâ€™s in South Portland and then retired from the Scarborough School Maintenance Department. He and his family were active members of First Baptist Church, Portland for many years. In the early 70â€™s he participated in a short term Missions trip to Brazil. In recent years he was a member of Grace Bible Church of Gorham where he loved attending church and participating in their many activities. Clarence was a loving, caring man who loved the Lord and his family. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. His beloved wife, Arlene, passed away in 1984. On June 6, 1987 he married Winnifred Reynolds Norton of South Portland, a family friend whose husband had died unexpectedly several years earlier. They have been blessed with more than 26 years of marriage. Clarence loved the outdoors, eating out, and visiting relatives in many places including Ontario, New York, Florida, Arizona, Ohio and Nebraska. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and loved his time â€œat the campâ€ in Bodfish Valley. When he was 88 years old he enjoyed an all â€œguysâ€ reunion to hunt deer at the camp. The following year his name was chosen in the Maine Moose Lottery and at 89 years old shot his first moose while enjoying the company of his sons, several grandchildren and extended family. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff and nurses at the Maine Veteranâ€™s Home, Scarborough, for their special kindness and loving care of Clarence during his residency. Surviving him is his loving wife, Winnifred Norton Ahlquist. Also surviving are his beloved children: Diane Ahlquist Sumego and her husband Joe of Port. St. Lucie, Fl.; Russell Ahlquist and his wife, Nancy of Colville, WA; Dale Ahlquist and his wife Candy of W. Charlton, N.Y.; Ron Ahlquist and his wife, Sandy of Scarborough; Bonnie Ahlquist Fahnestock and her husband Rev. Lennie Fahnestock of Vineland, Ontario, and Carl E. T. Ahlquist, II and his wife, Judy of Scarborough; his stepchildren, Kathleen Coffin and her husband David of Westbrook; Kerry K. Norton of Scarborough; and Lynn Oliver and her husband Kim of Scarborough. Missing him too are his grandchildren, Amanda Pritchett, Stephanie Smoot; Amy Lentz, Kimberley Lash, Katherine Brown, Jordan and Andrew Ahlquist, Adam and Erik Ahlquist, Gabe, Bethany and Caleb Fahnestock, Carl, III. and Elizabeth Ahlquist; 14 great-grandchildren; 4 step-grandchildren; 7 step-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his siblings: Frances Hoppes, Springfield, Ohio; Althea Green and her husband Charles of Scarborough; Leon Ahlquist and his wife Anne of Scarborough; Olaf Ahlquist and his wife Dagmar of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Robert Ahlquist and his wife Kay of Scarborough; plus many cousins, nieces and nephews, and good friends. Visiting hours will be from 4 to 7 PM Thursday at Blais & Hay Funeral home, 35 Church St., Westbrook. A Celebration of Life will take place Saturday at 10 AM at the Grace Bible Church, 74 Deering Road, Gorham. On line condolences may be expressed at www.blaisandhayfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Grace Bible Church of Gorham, P.O. 698, Gorham, Maine 04038.

Clarence Melton Ahlquist

January 29, 1922 - December 31, 2013

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