Albert Sumner
Bethel
Albert Sumner, 83 of Bethel, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at the Maine Veterans Home in South Paris on Friday August 4, 2023 after a long battle with cancer.
He was born on February 18, 1940 in Berlin New Hampshire to Albert and Marguerite (Leighton) Sumner. He grew up in Bethel and attended the local schools where he was always active in sports. In high school he was a three sport athlete playing baseball, football and basketball all four years, and even while drove the school buses with some of his classmates for before and after school his junior and senior years.
After graduating from Gould Academy in 1959, he went on to SMVTI for two years to learn building trades. Al enlisted in the Navy in November of 1962. After Four years and one tour in Vietnam, he was honorbly discharged and returned to Bethel.
He continued to play baseball for the town and legion teams and later enjoyed coaching his nephews and then his sons. He was proud to be inducted into the Gould Academy Athletics Hall of Fame in September of 2018.
He loved working with his hands as a carpenter. He eventually went to work in the shop for Western Maine Supply and then for Gould Academy Maintenance Department for 19 years before retiring. He would say “A good carpenter always knew how to hide their mistakes”
Al loved to socialize and several of his jobs were great opportunities to visit and trade stories. He looked forward to cleaning peoples chimneys, which he did for many years; first with his father and then with his sons when they were old enough. He continued to love working with his hands, whether it was repairing a window or a screen for somebody or building his birdhouses. He loved the outdoors and spent many seasons hunting, fishing, gardening or picking fiddleheads and blackberries. He passed his love of these activities on to many in the family, who will continue to benefit from his knowledge and “secret spots!”
He would always be willing to help anyone, whenever he could. In 1999 and 2008 he worked on the Angus and Olympia snowman and snowwoman.
He is survived by his sister Eleanor Brooks of Bethel; five children Scott Sumner and his wife Lorraine of West Bethel, Shannon Sumner and wife Lisa of Albany ,Stacey Sumner of Tuson Arizona, Jason Walega and his wife Marina of Boston Massachusetts, Holly Walega and her partner Aaron of Rochester New Hampshire ; 18 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren one great -great grandchild and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his 2nd wife, Rose, in 2007.
A small graveside service will be held at the Pine Grove Cemetery West Bethel on August 17th 2023 at 11 AM with Pastor Chuck Mason officiating
Memorials in his name may be made to the Maine Veterans Home, 477 High Street, South Paris, Maine 04281.