RANGELEY – Blen Allen Soucie passed away peacefully at home in the company of his family on Friday, Jan. 23, 2009, after a long battle with lung cancer.
Blen was born in Rangeley, Maine, on Jan. 12, 1925. He was predeceased by his wife Gloria, his brother Jim, and his parents Ed and Irene Soucie. He is survived by his son John and his wife Linda, of Rangeley, his granddaughter Amy and her husband Kevin, his three great grandchildren Aquinnah, Kaden and Brody all of Colorado Springs, CO and his sister Hope and her husband Chet Galeucia of Saco, Maine, and his three nephews Stewart, Gary and Brian. He is also survived by his loving companion of 20 years Edith Tuck.
He grew up in Oquossoc and lived in the area his entire life except during his time in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943 to 1946 as a motor vehicle dispatcher. He was also qualified as a rifle sharpshooter.
As an equipment operator for Brown Company, he spent over 30 years keeping g the logging roads in Parmachenee and Kennebago in A-1 condition. For many years he lived on the banks of the Kennebago River between Big and Little Kennebago Lakes. His camp there was the center of much social activity with his family, many friends and hunting buddies. As an avid and skilled deer hunter he spent many happy hours hunting in November.
Snowmobiling was another of his favorite pastimes and he lead his snowmobiling friends into the back country to enjoy the spectacular scenery and cookouts. He was known affectionately by his fellow camp owners and the friends who traveled to visit him at his camp as the “Mayor of Kennebago.”
After his retirement he and his companion Edie enjoyed riding around the area in his Trike, known as WE-ON-3. They were a hit in parades and a favorite at the many motor cycling events which they attended.
Blen was an active member of the Masons and the Kora Shrine.
A service will be held at the Log Church in Oquossoc in the spring. The date will be posted in the newspapers.
If desired contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society, Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice, 284 Main Street, Suite 290, Wilton, ME 04294 or the Oquossoc Log Church, c/o Connie Coleman, P. O. Box 55, Rangeley, ME 04970.
Arrangements under the care and direction of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan.
