Obituary of Nuel William Crawford

Nuel William Crawford Sept. 13, 1945 – June 13, 2021 Born to William F. Crawford and Marion E (Kendall) in Rutland, VT. He graduated from Wallingford High School, Class of ‘63 and enlisted with the US Army in August of that same year. He served a tour in Viet Nam as Crew Chief on a Chinook with the 147th AVN CO. He was honorably discharged in July 1969. On Feb 22, 1969, he married Diana C. Barber, they resided in Bristol, VT with their four children. He was employed by Contel Telephone Company for 12 yrs., working his way from Line Crew up to State Planning Engineer before relocating his family to Round Pond Maine the summer of 1978. He continued with Contel TC seeing the company through ownership changes & names multiple times over his 40-year career in Midcoast Maine before retiring in 2018 with more than 50 years in the telephone company business. When Nuel wasn’t at work he could usually be found in his garage working on restoring old telephones, cleaning guns, sharpening chain saws, listening to old country music, picking off critters, and sipping a Budweiser. On many occasions, you would find him in the company of long-time friend Johnny or work buddy, Louie the lizard. Youngstahs of all ages and old frogs were always welcome to stop by to share a story & enjoy a cold one. His weekly dump run would not be complete without stopping into Shelly’s just to check in. 4th of July each year you could find Nuel opening his home and yard to anyone who walked over or drove in, whether he knew you or not, so you could have front row seating to the parade. That was just the kind of man he was. Sadly, Nuel was predeceased by his bride of 52 years, Diana C. (Barber) Crawford just 22 days earlier. Others who passed before him were Diana’s brother Paul & her sister Florence Ladieu, brothers-in-law Alton Ladieu and Steve Kolaczewski. Family that is here to remember them and celebrate their lives are their children Bill, wife Rose and children Caio, Isabella, & Isadora; Laurie Crawford and children Trevor & Keegan Matteson; Jason, wife Wendy and children Kaden & Jaise; Kevin, wife Faith and children Alex & Sierra; Nuel’s brothers David, wife Jerry; and Ned, wife Jane; Diana’s sisters, Carolyn Ladieu and Gerry Kolaczewski; Diana’s brother Brian Barber, wife Sonya; many nieces and nephews; and their dog Marco. Nuel touched many people’s lives over the years and seemed to make friends wherever he went, all of whom will miss him dearly. A Celebration of Life with Military Honors will be held on Thursday, July 22nd at the American Legion Post #42 located at 524 Waldoboro Rd, Damariscotta, ME @ 11:00 AM with a luncheon to immediately follow at the Legion.