Southwest Harbor/Brewer
Clarence L. Rodick Jr., 91, passed away in Brewer on Dec. 27, 2020, after a brief illness. He was born Oct. 14, 1929, in Bar Harbor to Clarence Lester and Maxine Elliott (Woodward) Rodick Sr. He attended Bar Harbor schools and graduated from Bar Harbor High School in the Class of 1948. Shortly after graduating he joined the U.S. Navy, where he served for five years. After being honorably discharged he joined the Air Force Reserves for a year while also working at F.E. Sherman hardware store in Bar Harbor, where he met the love of his life, Esther Edna Rinaldo. They were married on Sept. 8, 1954. Clarence joined the U.S. Coast Guard in November of 1955 and was stationed in Portland, Maine; Kodiak, Alaska, New Bedford, Mass., and Southwest Harbor, where he retired in 1971 with 21 1/2 years of service to settle down and be with his family.
During his military career he served on various bases and aboard many ships, most notably the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba based out of New Bedford, Mass., where he obtained the rank of storekeeper first class. After a proud military career, he worked at the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, at the Coast Guard station exchange in Southwest Harbor, Hinckley Boat Co. for five years and then as a reserve police officer for the town of Southwest Harbor for 18 years. He was also a caretaker for many summer homes in the Southwest Harbor and Somesville areas. After retirement, Clarence and Esther wintered for many years, first in Springhill, Fla., and then in Brooksville, Fla., before finally returning home permanently to Southwest Harbor. Clarence was a 60-plus-year member of the Bar Harbor Masonic Lodge No. 185, a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite of Bangor and a member of the Anah Shriners of Bangor. He was also a member of the American Legion of Southwest Harbor. Clarence enjoyed fishing, gardening, watching both the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Celtics and spending time with family.
He is survived by his three children, Carolyn R. Rodick of Old Town, Patricia L. Wiswell and her husband, Dan, of Hampden and Clarence L. Rodick III and his significant other JoAnn Brown of Ellsworth; two brothers, Gerald Rodick and wife, Janice, of Bar Harbor and William Rodick and wife, Ethel, of Ruther Glen, Va.; grandchildren, Dianne, Justin, Ashley, Steven and Elizabeth; two great-grandchildren, Theodore and Demetri; many nieces and nephews. He will be remembered fondly by a dear friend, Louise Goudreau at the Ellen M. Leach Memorial Home, where they were residents. He was predeceased by his parents; wife, Esther, of 59 years; and sister, Pamelia Hanscom.
A spring interment will be held at Goose Cove Cemetery in Trenton for both Esther and Clarence.
Funeral services arranged by Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
