Roy Merle Lurvey

Gorham- Roy Merle Lurvey, 89, passed away in South Paris at the Maine Veteran’s Home on Sunday, January 27, 2019. The son of Merle Preston, and Ida Jane (Cole) Lurvey, he was born in Greenwood Maine on March 8, 1929. He grew up in Locke Mills, and graduated from Gould Academy in 1947. At the age of 7 Roy started taking clarinet lessons, as a teenager he often played on WCOV out of Lewiston. While at Gould Academy he was very active in the school’s music program. He received many honors for his playing and played at festivals at both the state and New England level. As a teenager he also played with the Maine State Guard Band in Rumford. While in high school Roy met Mary Elizabeth who would later become his wife. After graduation from Gould Academy, Roy enlisted in the United States Navy. When his basic training was completed, because of his musical ability, he was sent to the U.S. Naval School of Music at Anacostia Naval Receiving Station, in Washington D.C. and he played his clarinet for the Navy band. While in the Navy Roy served on the U.S.S Boxer, and participated in “Operation Chromite” the United Nations counterattack at Inchon. He was stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. Roy received many metals for his distinguished service during the Korean War. After he was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1954, he drove trucks for Merrill Transport in Portland. In 1964-1968, he drove tanker oil trucks hauling the winter oil supply up Mt. Washington for the Channel 8 towers. Roy drove trucks for 48 years and was proud of his 2 ¼ million accident free miles. Roy was a member of the American Legion since 1954, serving as both the Commander and Past Commander of the Smith Wagner Post 68 in Gorham. He was also a member of the Stephen W. Manchester Post 62 in Westbrook. He used his musical abilities his whole life, singing in the church choir often as a soloist, as well as many funerals and weddings for friends and family. He played the saxophone for many years every Saturday night at the Buxton Grange and for a short time in the Jones’ Band in South Paris. He was a member of the Fanfare Concert Band from 2008 -2011. His wife wrote of him “he was very friendly and outgoing and loved all people, he helped out wherever he could, and above all he loved his wife and family very dearly”. In his later years Roy had a little Shiatzu dog name Maggie Mae who was a very loving companion and friend. Roy was predeceased by his wife Mary Elizabeth Lurvey, and his son Michael Lurvey. He is survived by his daughters, Sandra Humphrey, and her husband Michael of Cornish, Kathryn Day of Hiram, and Rebecca Normandeau, and her husband Col. Scott Normandeau of Arundel, his daughter in law Cathy Lurvey of Scarborough, his sons, Paul Lurvey, and his wife Betsy of Standish, and David Lurvey, and his wife Alanna Craffey of South Berwick, 17 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and his sister Beverly Melville of Greenwood. A graveside service with full military honors will be held later in the spring on Friday, May 17, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Eastern Cemetery in Gorham. Arrangements are under the care of the Gorham Chapel of Dolby, Blais & Segee. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Roy’s memory to Maine Veteran’s Home, 477 High St. South Paris Maine 04281, to continue the wonderful care they provide for the residence of the home and whose care for Roy was much appreciated by his family.

Roy Merle Lurvey

March 8, 1929 - January 27, 2019

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