AUBURN – Clayton John Varney, 87, of Phillips died peacefully at the Hospice House in Auburn on Nov. 26, 2009. His health had deteriorated after a stroke suffered four months prior to his death.
He was born Feb. 26, 1922 in Skowhegan to Everett Earle and Grace R. (Stuart) Varney. Drafted into the U.S. Army upon graduation from Edward Little High School in 1941, he trained as a machine gunner. In an accident in which his weapon jammed and exploded Mr. Varney was injured and sustained a permanent hearing loss. After receiving an honorable medical discharge he worked at the South Portland (ME) Naval Shipyard as a burner. He was always proud of the up-to-date techniques they were using at that facility. When he transferred to the Brooklyn (NY) Navy Shipyard he was asked to train workers there in these procedures.
In 1944 Clayton married his high school sweetheart Irene Margaret Hodsdon of Auburn. Moving to Strong to be near relatives, he began his 18-year career at the Forster Manufacturing Company, at times having 100 people under his direction. The company manufactured wooden toothpicks, tongue depressors, and eventually plastic spoons. Mr. Varney completed courses in plastics manufacturing as well as courses in management, graduating from the International Correspondence School. He later worked for the Diamond National Corporation in Dixfield. His final position was supervisor of buildings and grounds at the University of Maine at Farmington.
Clayton was committed member of the Congregational Church in Phillips for many years and also active in the Masons. He rose to the position of Past Master at Mount Blue Lodge No. 67.
Clayton loved being outdoors; in school he was on the track, football, and ski jumping teams. Later on he found pleasure in fishing, hunting, biking, and hiking. Urged on by his daughters he took up alpine skiing, and climbed many of the mountains in western Maine. He also enjoyed traveling, especially his trip to England with his wife.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years Irene of Phillips, his daughters, Sandra MacMahon and her husband James of Scarborough, Pamela Smart and her husband Robert of DoverFoxcroft, Robin Bundick and her husband James of Grand Bay, AL, and a grandson, Sean Smart of Portland, a niece Rebecca Malcolm and her husband Donald of Roanoke Rapids, NC, and grandnieces Stephanie Whitehead and Julie Reinhart. Clayton was predeceased by his parents, his half brother Casper Stuart, his brother Earle Varney, and an infant sister Ruth.
A celebration of his life, including a Masonic memorial service, will be held at the Congregational Church of Phillips on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 1 p.m. A reception will be held at Shadagee Community Room following a blessing at Mile Square Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Adams~McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Services, 108 Court St. Farmington. Friends wishing to make a donation in his memory may send it to The Hospice House, 236 Stetson Road, Auburn, Maine 04210 or to the charity of their choice. Those wishing to send on-line condolences to the family may do so at www.adamsmcfarlane.com.
