BLUE HILL
Clyde Henry Astbury
Clyde, 84, died peacefully at home on March 31, 2019. He was surrounded by his large family, which was what he always liked. He was born in Blue Hill on Nov. 4, 1934, the son of John and Hazel Wescott Astbury.
Clyde attended the Blue Hill schools before going to work on the local roads for the town. Eventually, Clyde went to work for the Maine DOT until his retirement. In 1953, Clyde married the love of his life, Gloria V. Cook, of Lakeland, Fla., where they married before returning to Blue Hill. They recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Clyde was a lifelong member of IOOF, Blue Hill, a member of the Blue Hill Fair Association and where he was director for many years, and was also a member of the Bucksport Church of God, Bucksport. For over 15 years Clyde was the road commissioner of the Gus Moore Road Association, Penobscot. Some of Clyde’s personal interests were hunting, fishing, NASCAR, mechanics and guns. For many years Clyde was a licensed gun dealer.
Clyde is survived by his best friend and wife, Gloria; his daughters Marie Pearson of Blue Hill, Sharon Grindle and husband, Bill Grindle, of Blue Hill, Donna DeLeo and husband, John DeLeo, of Ellsworth, Violet Hughes and husband, John Hughes, of Kennebunk; four grandchildren, Alicia Pearson of Blue Hill, Erica DeLeo of Ellsworth, Sarah Hughes of Hollis and Benjamin Hughes of Wells; three great-grandchildren, Cody Austin Sweet of Blue Hill, River Daniel Pearson-Grindle of Blue Hill and Fern Gloria Parent of Hollis; one sister, Jeanette Eastman, and husband, Clarence, of Orland, and many important nieces, nephews and cousins. Clyde was predeceased by his cherished son, Daniel Astbury, granddaughter Jessica A. Grindle and great-granddaughter Jasmine Grindle; parents, John and Hazel Astbury; his brother, Lloyd Astbury of Blue Hill and numerous special uncles.
There are four very special men in Clyde’s life who deserve special recognition; they have all been sons as well as treasured friends, Darrin Grindle, Bill Grindle, Foster Smith of Blue Hill and Bobby Wardwell of Orland.
A service of remembrance will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2019, at the First Baptist Church of Blue Hill. Following the service there will be refreshments in the church vestry downstairs. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Jess’s Willow, a project set up in honor of Clyde’s precious granddaughter Jessica A. Grindle to help those affected by domestic violence. Donations can be made via mail: Jess’s Willow P.O. Box 1466, Ellsworth, ME 04614 or via PayPal: https://www.nextstepdvproject.org/donations/. Please indicate in the memo For Jess’s Willow. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.