Clair Francis Bemis 28 May 1936 - 7 Apr 2016 LEVANT - Clair F. Bemis, 79, passed away peacefully, April 7, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. Clair was born in Bangor, May 28, 1936, the son of Linwood and Halice (Smith) Bemis. Clair attended Hermon High School. In 1953, he joined the US Marine Corps, and was deployed for one tour in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. Clair was very proud of his service with the Marines, and he retired as Gunnery Sergeant in 1973. After his service, Clair earned his Bachelor's degree in Business from Husson College. He continued to work, driving trucks for Webber Oil and Cole's, as well as giving talks on his Marine experience at Cole's Land Transportation Museum as an Ambassador. Speaking to students about his military days gave Clair the greatest pleasure. Clair loved his time spent at camp on Lower Lead Mountain Pond, boating and being with his friends. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR. Known as "Papa" to everyone, Clair was very active with his children and grandchildren. Clair was a character, he was easy going and never had a harsh word for anyone. He was very patient and protective of his family. Even during his last days at the nursing home, Clair's outgoing personality made him a favorite with staff and residents. In addition to his parents, Clair was predeceased by his brother, Darrell Bemis. He is survived by his beloved wife, Rhoda (Spencer) Bemis of Levant; his children, Robert Wade Bemis and wife, Sandi of North Carolina, Jill Iverson and her companion, Anthony Andrews of Troy, and Joel Bemis and wife, Ruth of Carmel; grandchildren, Christopher, Candise and Matthew, all of North Carolina, Kyle and Cody of Carmel, and Erin of Levant; several great grandchildren; brother, Royce Bemis and wife, Liz; sister, Rosalie Booher; half-brother, Kenneth Bemis; and many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank the staff of Beacon Hospice and Westgate Manor for the loving care they took of Clair. Interment with military honors will be at Waugh Cemetery in Levant. Those who wish to remember Clair in a special way may make gifts in his memory to Westgate Resident Council, 750 Union Street, Bangor, ME 04401 or to a charity of your choice (Brookings-Smith Funeral Home and Bangor Daily News 4/9/2016) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Narrative summary of the obituary: Clair Francis Bemis, born 28 May 1936 in Bangor, died 7 April 2016 at 79. A Marine Corps veteran, he served in Korea and Vietnam, retiring as Gunnery Sergeant in 1973. He later earned a Business degree from Husson College and worked as a truck driver. Clair enjoyed sharing his military experiences and spending time with family. ### Narrative summary of funeral services: Interment with military honors was held at Waugh Cemetery in Levant. Those wishing to remember Clair could make gifts to Westgate Resident Council, 750 Union Street, Bangor, ME 04401 or to a charity of their choice. ### The Edited Obituary Clair Francis Bemis 28 May 1936 - 7 Apr 2016 LEVANT - Clair F. Bemis, 79, passed away peacefully, 7 April 2016, surrounded by his loving family. Clair was born in Bangor, 28 May 1936, the son of Linwood and Halice (Smith) Bemis. Clair attended Hermon High School. In 1953, he joined the US Marine Corps, and was deployed for one tour in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. Clair was very proud of his service with the Marines, and he retired as Gunnery Sergeant in 1973. After his service, Clair earned his Bachelor's degree in Business from Husson College. He continued to work, driving trucks for Webber Oil and Cole's, as well as giving talks on his Marine experience at Cole's Land Transportation Museum as an Ambassador. Speaking to students about his military days gave Clair the greatest pleasure. Clair loved his time spent at camp on Lower Lead Mountain Pond, boating and being with his friends. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR. Known as "Papa" to everyone, Clair was very active with his children and grandchildren. Clair was a character, he was easygoing and never had a harsh word for anyone. He was very patient and protective of his family. Even during his last days at the nursing home, Clair's outgoing personality made him a favorite with staff and residents. In addition to his parents, Clair was predeceased by his brother, Darrell Bemis. He is survived by his beloved wife, Rhoda (Spencer) Bemis of Levant; his children, Robert Wade Bemis and wife, Sandi of North Carolina, Jill Iverson and her companion, Anthony Andrews of Troy, and Joel Bemis and wife, Ruth of Carmel; grandchildren, Christopher, Candise and Matthew, all of North Carolina, Kyle and Cody of Carmel, and Erin of Levant; several great-grandchildren; brother, Royce Bemis and wife, Liz; sister, Rosalie Booher; half-brother, Kenneth Bemis; and many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank the staff of Beacon Hospice and Westgate Manor for the loving care they took of Clair. Interment with military honors will be at Waugh Cemetery in Levant. Those who wish to remember Clair in a special way may make gifts in his memory to Westgate Resident Council, 750 Union Street, Bangor, ME 04401 or to a charity of your choice. (Brookings-Smith Funeral Home and Bangor Daily News 9 April 2016) ### Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Clair Francis Bemis | |---------|-----------------------------| | Age | 79 | | Birth | 28 May 1936; Bangor, Maine | | Death | 7 April 2016; Levant, Maine | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |-------------------------|---------------------|----------------| | Clair Francis Bemis | Decedent | Levant, Maine | | Rhoda (Spencer) Bemis | Spouse | Levant, Maine | | Linwood Bemis | Parent | -- | | Halice (Smith) Bemis | Parent | -- | | Robert Wade Bemis | Child | North Carolina | | Jill Iverson | Child | Troy | | Joel Bemis | Child | Carmel | | Christopher | Grandchild | North Carolina | | Candise | Grandchild | North Carolina | | Matthew | Grandchild | North Carolina | | Kyle | Grandchild | Carmel | | Cody | Grandchild | Carmel | | Erin | Grandchild | Levant | | Royce Bemis | Sibling | -- | | Rosalie Booher | Sibling | -- | | Kenneth Bemis | Half-sibling | -- | | Darrell Bemis | Predeceased Sibling | -- | ### Other Relevant Information 1. Clair attended Hermon High School. 2. He joined the US Marine Corps in 1953. 3. Clair was deployed for one tour in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. 4. He retired from the Marine Corps as Gunnery Sergeant in 1973. 5. After his military service, Clair earned his Bachelor's degree in Business from Husson College. 6. He worked as a truck driver for Webber Oil and Cole's. 7. Clair gave talks on his Marine experience at Cole's Land Transportation Museum as an Ambassador. 8. He enjoyed spending time at camp on Lower Lead Mountain Pond, boating, and being with friends. 9. Clair was a NASCAR enthusiast. 10. He was known as "Papa" to everyone and was very active with his children and grandchildren. 11. Clair was described as easygoing and never had a harsh word for anyone. 12. He was very patient and protective of his family. 13. Even during his last days at the nursing home, Clair's outgoing personality made him a favorite with staff and residents. ### Publication Details | Place | Name | Date | Page | |---------|----------------------------------------------------|--------------|---------| | Unknown | Brookings-Smith Funeral Home and Bangor Daily News | 9 April 2016 | Unknown |