Obituary of Elmer Butch Heal

CAMDEN — Elmer F. “Butch” Heal, 62, owner of Camden Welding Works, died unexpectedly on March 7, 2011, at his home. Born in Camden on July 30, 1948, Butch was the son of Elmer E. and Ruth (Owen) Heal. He grew up in Camden and was a 1966 graduate of Camden-Rockport High School. He moved to Connecticut, where he completed the Machinist Apprentice Program at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. On Aug. 5, 1971, he married Martha Bryan of Ohio. In September 1972, they moved to Camden where Butch helped in his father’s business, Camden Welding Works. He eventually took the business over once his father retired. Butch developed a reputation for his custom fabrication work where he demonstrated his natural talent and his mechanical abilities, helping place many forms of racers in the Winner’s Circle. In his earlier years, he enjoyed snowmobiling and fishing with his father. He had been a member of the Knox County Fish & Game Association. In more recent years, Butch very much enjoyed owning, driving and showing his antique cars and spending time with other car collectors. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Martha Heal of Camden; two sons, Eric Heal and his partner Dawn Small of Bangor and Travis Heal and his wife, Kassandra, of Rockland; his sister, Jessie Gautreau and her husband, Donald, of Camden; five grandchildren, Cody, Billy, James, Dallas and Brooklyn; a sister-in-law, Mary Ann Bohler of Ruskin, Fla.; two brothers-in-law, James Bryan and Earl Bryan, both of Brazil, Ind.; a nephew, Kevin Gautreau and his wife, Shelly, of Lincolnville; and a niece, Dawn Farrington and her husband, Brian, of Searsmont. Friends and family are invited to a celebration of life Saturday, March 19 from 2 to 6 p.m. at 122 Mountain St. in Camden. Interment will be private and held at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to Eastern Maine Community College, 354 Hogan Road in Bangor. Condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the Heal family at www.ripostafh.com.