Leon B. Nevers Obituary (1932

PORTLAND - Leon B. Nevers, 84, passed away Sunday, May 29, 2016 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House after a short battle with bone cancer. Born at the former St. Barnabas Hospital in Portland, May 15, 1932, he was the son of Leon Rexford and Dorothy Blake Nevers. He attended local schools, graduating from Deering High School, Class of 1951. Leon was employed as a young man in his Dad's painting contracting business. For several years he worked in the Loss Prevention Dept. at Maine Bonding & Casualty Company. In 1972, he started his company, Leon B. Nevers, Inc., operating that business until he unofficially retired. Recognized as an Artist/Craftsmen in his field of painting and wallpaper hanging, Leon considered himself honored to be chosen by the Governor McKernan Administration to replace the vintage wallpaper in the State Dining Room at the Blaine Mansion in Augusta. He was proud to admit that he had done a lot of work for the 'Rich & Famous' of Prout's Neck. Leon served in the Seebees, with the U.S. Naval Reserves for many years. He was a Boy Scout/Explorer Scout Leader for many years. An avid hunter, he was one of the founding members of the Sha-Goie-Watha Sportsmen Club in Otisfield, where he enjoyed fishing and snowmobiling with his long-time friends, Guy Melcher and George McPhail. With his wife Patti, Leon enjoyed membership in the snowmobile club in Cumberland, traveled extensively with Good Sam RV Club and Lake Region Wanderers. He was a longtime active member of First Baptist Church of Portland, where he sang in the choir and served as a Trustee. Other than his parents, Leon was predeceased by a brother, Philip Nevers, and a sister, Dolly Brookings. He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Patricia Donovan Nevers; sons, Paul Nevers of Hatboro, PA, James Nevers (Lori) of Watertown, NY, Eric Nevers of Gorham, stepsons, Robert Patchell (Robin) of Portland, David Patchell (Kelly) of Standish; grandchildren, Scott Nevers of Gorham, Garrett Patchell, Kylie Patchell of Portland, Catherine Patchell of Boston, MA, James Patchell of Standish, Melissa Nevers Gentle, Matthew Nevers of NH, Emma Nevers of Watertown, NY; great-grandchildren, Gavin & Owen Gentle and Zoe & Dante Nevers, all of NH; a sister, Nancy Whitten (Winslow) of Hudson, FL, as well as many loving nieces and nephews. Friends and relatives are invited to visit from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., Saturday, June 4, 2016, at A.T. Hutchins Funeral and Cremation Services, 660 Brighton Avenue, Portland. A Celebration of Leon's home-going will be held at 3:00 P.M., Sunday, at First Baptist Church, 360 Canco Road, Portland. The Reverend Keith Moore will officiate. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery will be at a later date. Donations in Leon's memory may be made to Maine Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 553, Portland, ME, 04112, or Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, 11 Hunnewell Road, Scarborough, ME 04103. To share a memory or story with Leon's family, please visit his Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.2d:{"dateTime"