Mahlon Tate, 80, of Farmington, Maine passed away on September 26th.
Mahlon grew up in Otis, Maine. He and his brother Raymond passed their childhood years surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Together they shared a childhood filled with high adventure in the woods, lakes and blueberry fields that instilled in Mahlon a love of the outdoors, animals and the quiet solitude that nature provides.
As an adult, Mahlon returned to Otis every year to help his father rake blueberries. He was always the biggest kid in the field. He passed on his ability to find humor and joy in the simple tasks of farm life to his nieces and nephews, who anxiously awaited his return each August.
After serving overseas in the military, Mahlon traveled across the country, making friends and collecting stories along the way. He found peace in nature once again by completing the Appalachian trail. This adventure, as well as many others, formed the basis of so many of Mahlon’s stories. A lucky listener never knew quite where one of his stories was going, but they never failed to entertain or educate.
Mahlon settled in Eustis in 1985, building a log cabin Homestead and living simply for many years. Friends and family were inspired by his resilience and gentleness in which he chose to live with nature.
Mahlon is pre-deceased by his father Donald Tate, mother Vera (Bell) Tate, and brother Raymond Tate. He is survived by his wife Linda Tate, stepson and daughter-in-law Kirk and JoAnne Doyle, and their two children Lydia and Haven Doyle. His sister-in-law Peggy Tate and two nieces Jamie and Darcy Tate. His nephew and wife Wes and Rhonda Tate and their four children Dallas, Rowan, Benjamin and Avalon. His two “sisters” Mattie Treadwell and Brenda Scribner and her family, and lots of close cousins and friends.
Some may question the picture I chose to go along with my husband’s obituary, but this picture captures so well who he was to me.
Mahlon was a good man, the most well-rounded person I’ve ever known. He could drop a tree on a dime and haul the wood with his horses. He could draw, sew, write poetry, make music, dance and he could make a mean biscuit! He was intelligent and creative and strove for perfection in everything he did. He built beautiful log cabins, doors, unique locks, carved ax handles, little animals, and toys for children. He also built wagons, trailers, a beautiful barn, several animal houses and so much more.
Mahlon was also a deep thinker. He spent his life in search of answers and an inner peace. I hope he has found that now. He was very concerned about the environment, politics, and eating good healthy foods. Although Mahlon considered himself an introvert and lived a life of mostly solitude, he loved people – and he loved them well. He loved listening to other’s stories and had plenty of his own to share. He was well read and could converse about any subject. Most of all though, he loved sharing stories of his childhood. I treasure those stories.
Mahlon stole my heart 13 years ago and we lived a good and simple life of farming, gardening, and walking in the woods. I love him more than words can express and his passing leaves a huge void in my world, but so many memories.
I love you Mahlon Tate.
Sympathy and prayers to all of Mahlon’s family. May he rest in peace,
I’m a forester in Kingfield, I have received many referrals in my consulting forester career, one was for Mahlon Tate . I could never catch him home at his log cabin. Mahlon’s obituary captures the elusiveness of Mahlon. I wish I had met the man.
In what seems like a hundred years ago a winter Eustis pines would find me behind the worn wheel of a Tucker Sno-Cat grooming trails for Bill Morris. Often times I would happen upon a warmly bundled soul moving slowly yet intently along the crisp white trails edge. The first few times we met, with a big warm smile he would quietly step aside and signal for me to pass on by while he marveled at this orange locomotive awakening the woods in clouds of ice and snow. One particularly stubborn cold blue February morning I meet him along the trail moving dimly, so much so that I was a little concerned. He moved aside as had become our silent pleasantry although instead of thundering past I stopped alongside and momentarily silenced the steel innards. A warm breath of cabin air singed the frozen air as I thrust open the door to finally introduce myself to my unknown trail mate. ‘Mornin’ I said, “I’m Todd, care for a ride?” I was struck by his initial reaction given the relationship of the welcoming comfort to the unforgiving cold – it was almost bashful, this idea of accepting a ride. He told me that he only had a short distance left and that he didn’t want to be any trouble. I’m unsure if it was my insistence or another icy breath over a barren Flagstaff under his collar that motivated him to change his mind and climb in. He shook off a gloved hand and in a quiet voice said, “I’m Mahlon”. I lit up the six cylinders, found the gear and the tracks jerked powerfully to life It wasn’t until he began to settle in that I realized he had a small dog nuzzled inside his many layers eager for man made warmth. I turned the vents their way and what followed was conversation whose words I’ve long forgotten although the effects of which I never will. Life is a stage and all of the people that come and go make up our play, some good, a few bad and even worse than that, some unremarkable. I was lucky to have a scene with Mahlon, no matter how brief and fleeting there is a kind and humble energy that only exists in warm souls and you know instantly when they appear upon your stage. My prayers for peace and strength in the days ahead, Godspeed Mahlon
Sending my Sympathy to you, Linda, & Mahlon`s family. From his obituary, Mahlon had a very extensive life full of adventure, nature and many simple pleasures throughout his life. There must be many cherished and marvelous memories of the wonderful years that you and
Mahlon were together, Linda.
What a wonderful story, Todd.
Mahlon was a dear friend to my parents and family. I have many many memories. There is a piece of paper tacked to our camp door, documenting the over 900 games of cribbage he played with my dad.
I met Mahlon on Springer Mountain GA. On April fool’s day 1980. It took a short while and a few miles for us to become friends. After that adventure we always remained friends. Although we didn’t see each other for years at a time I always felt that we were close, dare I say best friends. But I’ve got a feeling that many people felt that way. Mahlon was a good friend and I’ll miss him.
Dear Linda,
Every once in a while, I type into the computer a name, or a thing, or a place from my past – some place or person that means something to me, a part of my life – I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1980. This morning, a number of names from that journey came “to the front
of my mind” – John Kuzniak, Rick Hancock, Jane Vaughan, John Lent, AND MAHLON TATE!!! I remember him very well – although we didn’t meet
and join up until the Whites, we stayed and hiked together for several weeks, finally ending up at Katahdin together! Seeing his name, and reading his obituary was both amazing and very sad, at the same time. He was indeed quite a character, with a dry, Mainer’s sense of humor, and a very caring, sensitive nature. I am very sorry for your loss – as Andrew said in the above note, he will certainly be missed, by all those whose lives he touched!
with love, Sam (A.T. Thru-hiker, 04/10/1980 – 09/16/1980)
To all of you who replied on Mahlon’s obituary, thank you.
Karen, Mahlon loved your family, especially your Mom and Dad,
like they were his own family. We never played a game of cribbage (and we played many) where Mahlon didn’t tell a story about Sam.
Andy, you have remained one of Mahlon’s closest friends since you met on the AT.
Sam jones, i recognize all of your names from listening to Mahlon’s stories about hiking the AT, i almost feel like i know you all.
Todd, that was beautiful.
Thank you all. ❤️🩹