George Ricker

George Albion Ricker died peacefully at home in Windham, surrounded by family, February 16. George, age 90, grew up on the family farm, Ricker Hill Orchards, in Turner, Maine, with his late parents, Albion and Mabel Ricker, and his brother Don. His late grandparents William and Mary Ricker lived across the dooryard. He was also predeceased by baby brother Billy, as well as aunts, uncles, several cousins, and many classmates from Leavitt Institute in Turner. He attended the University of Maine at Orono and graduated in 1954 with a bachelor’s degree in History and Government, minor in English. He spent most of his two years in military service at Vint Hill Farms Station. He enjoyed free time exploring the Virginia countryside, government buildings in Washington, and genealogical research at the Library of Congress. He collected data from extended family and built on earlier research by family and friends. This interest in genealogy persisted through many decades of research in primary sources from Maine to Connecticut and rural New York State. He taught adult ed classes for beginning genealogists [before computers and the Internet took over]. His career in secondary education included several weeks in Princeton, Maine, before he was drafted in November, 1956. Two years later he took his new bride, Margaret “Wendy” Dow Ricker, to Lebanon, NH, where he taught English for two years. For the school year 1958-59 he and his wife were “house parents” in Dorm 6 at Cornell University where he was studying for his master’s degree in Guidance. From 1959 to 1973 he served as Guidance Director at Calais and Woodland high schools in Washington County, Maine, then Windham High and Bonny Eagle High in southern Maine. In 1962 he attended an NDEA Institute in guidance at UMaine-Orono. This eventually led to a Certificate of Advanced Studies from UMO in 1968, activity in state and national teachers organizations [MEA, NEA] and guidance associations. As computers took over much of guidance, George succeeded in moving back to the classroom at Bonny Eagle, primarily in English and speech. When he took early retirement in 1991, he had a seasonal job for the family farm, running a picking crew or farm stand. In early years, and in retirement, he and his family often enjoyed combining travel with national conferences. In 1983, he and Wendy were honored by Little People of America, Inc., with the Distinguished Service Award (Auxiliary) for their years of mentoring other parents of children with dwarfism. To celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary, George and Wendy took a cruise from Florida, through the Panama Canal, and on to Hawaii. Other favorite destinations included Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, Italy, and especially Great Britain. In recent years, George’s major community involvement was serving as Secretary for the Little Meeting House. George is survived by his wife Wendy, their children Ruth and William (Pamela), their grandchildren Michael Janis and Lou (Jae), his brother Don (Tootie) and family, and cousins near and far. A memorial service will be held at the North Windham Union Church on Thursday, March 2nd, at 10 am (masks provided). Donations in George’s memory may be made to the Little Meeting House (P O Box 962, Windham ME 04062) or the North Windham Union Church (723 Roosevelt Trail, Windham ME 04062).

George Ricker

March 28, 1932 - February 16, 2023

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