| Notes |
- Legacy Remembers
Steuben – (FLAG) Handy Eben Pinkham, 85, a life long resident of Steuben, Maine and an "icon" of Maine small town government passed away peacefully Tuesday, November 19, 2002, at Narraguagus Health Care Facility in Milbridge. Handy was the son of Melvin and Bertha (Clemmon) Pinkham and was born November 2, 1917 in Steuben, Maine. His life was dedicated to his family, the Lord and the Town of Steuben.
Handy personified the title of town selectman and may have set a record by serving in that position for 47 years, about all of them, in the first selectman chair. Among his many campaigns to improve the town were the construction of a school, gymnasium/multi-purpose building, fire station/municipal building, youth athletic fields and tennis courts. He also arranged for the construction of a new veteran's memorial in the Steuben Town Square. In addition to the selectman's position he also served as tax assessor and overseer of the poor.
Handy also served on the Steuben School Committee for 30 years and was the chairman of the Flanders Bay School Committee for a number of years. He was also president and co-founder of the Steuben Alumni Association, which has brought together graduates of the old Steuben High School. He graduated from Steuben High School in 1938 and is a US Army Veteran.
As a result of his deep involvement in town government Handy was an active member of the Washington County Planning Association, Maine Municipal Association, and the Legislative Policy Committee, Eastern Maine Development Corporation, Municipal Review Committee, Inc. Board of Director, and a former Member and chairman of Washington County Municipal Association.
Handy also dedicated himself to the youth of Steuben by coaching Little League Baseball for 31 years and assisting with the Farm Team and Pony Team for 10 years.
He was a familiar figure traveling throughout the town in his 9-passenger wagon picking up youngsters so they would have an opportunity to play. For many years Handy also was director of young peoples and Sunday School activities for Steuben, Gouldsboro, Harrington and Sullivan. Until his recent illness, he attended Faith Bible Church in Milbridge. Family was a strong element of Handy's life as he and his beloved wife, Celia, opened their home to 35 plus fosters children.
The welfare of Steuben's Senior Citizens was also important to Handy. He arranged an annual Senior Citizen Banquet and yearly supplies of fuel and food for the needy.
In recognition of Handy's charitable work and many outstanding contributions to the Town of Steuben and its people, young and old, he was presented with the Jefferson award in 1984 by WLBZ-TV.
Handy has been self-employed throughout his working years. For many years he owned a pulpwood business and he fished lobsters well into his late 70s.
Handy is survived by his beloved wife, Celia, of 51 years. His children, Myrna and her husband Milledge McConnell of Lincoln; Adelbert and his wife Cynthia of Steuben; Lewis and his wife Linda of Gouldsboro; Shawn and his wife Marcia of Steuben; Timothy and his wife Ava of Bucks Harbor; Kimberly and her husband David Beal of Milbridge; Richard and his wife Bevi-Jo of Steuben; Linda and her husband Sam Andrews of Sorrento; Emma and her husband Woodrow Carter; Reginald Means and his wife Robin.
He is survived by 21 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, a brother, Leroy Pinkham of Bloomington, Indiana and a sister-in-law, Ava Skinner of Milbridge, many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by 2 brothers and 7 sisters, Leamen Alley, Rachel Jewett, Emma Butler, Theresa Ramirez, Beatrice Stanwood, Esther Thibodeau, Eva Garnett, Leamon Pinkham, and Rita Moore.
Handy's first wife, Vera Ray Pinkham, died in 1943 and his beloved daughter, Elva "Peggy" Pinkham, died in 2001.
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1917 - 2002 (85 years)
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