Obituary of Gordon F LaBay

Gordon F. LaBay, 91 WINDHAM - Gordon F. LaBay died on April 18, 2016, at Ledgewood Manor, after a period of declining health. He was born in South Paris, Maine on Nov. 6, 1924, a son of Earl R. and Laura (Barden) LaBay. Until recent years, he was a lifelong resident of Portland. A member of this nation's Greatest Generation, he served in the US Army for three years following his graduation from Deering High School in 1942. During World War II, his division, the 84th and his regiment, the 333rd were attached to the British Second Army in Germany during the Roer River campaign in late 1944. He received the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart for wounds received in December 1944. Using the GI Bill benefits, he completed both an undergraduate degree in business and his MBA at what is now the University of Southern Maine while working full time and raising a family. He was employed for nearly 20 years as an accountant by the Portland Pipe Line Corporation, and was later the treasurer at Consumers Water Company in Portland. For 30 years, he was a self-employed utility consultant for the water and wastewater industry in Maine, continuing to work in that field until 2005. For a period of years, he was also an adjunct faculty member teaching accounting in the evening division at the University of Southern Maine. A member of the State Street Church, he was also a member for over a half century of the Deering #183 Lodge of Masons of Portland. An accomplished woodworker, one of his favorite pastimes was antique furniture restoration in his shop, typically done while listening to opera. He was married in 1949 to Dorothy (Duncan) LaBay, who died in 1984. His second marriage, to Dorothy E. Kirkpatrick, ended in divorce. He was predeceased by his twin brother Robert and by his sister, Carolyn Grant. In addition to his wife Phyllis (Keating) LaBay of Windham, he is survived by his son Duncan and wife Susan LaBay of Newburyport, Mass. and by their two children and three grandchildren. He is also survived by nephews Thomas, Scott, and Stephen Grant. There are no calling hours. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Portland, Maine. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to: The USM Pioneers Partnership Program c/o Erin Yarima Director of Development University of Southern Maine PO Box 9300 Portland, ME 04104