Hancock
Michael J. Gavin Sr., 80, of Hancock, passed away on the evening of Feb. 16, 2022, at home with family following a long battle with Parkinson’s. Michael, the youngest of five sons, was born on March 15, 1941, to John J. Gavin and Phyllis V. Gavin (Vallis) in Boston, Mass.
A lifelong Catholic with Irish and Lithuanian roots, Michael valued faith and family, and was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was predeceased by both his parents, as well as brothers John, Leo and Philip. His only surviving brother, Edward, is living in Braintree, Mass.
Although born in the city, Mike has always loved the outdoors and as a young child he enjoyed playing at The Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain. His family later moved to Canton, Mass. He fondly shared stories about working on a turkey farm and how he learned to drive on a tractor when he was 12. Mike graduated from Canton High School in 1959, and married the love of his life, Theresa Lennon, in 1963. They bought a home in No. Easton, Mass., where they raised four children: Theresa, Michael, Michelle and Catherine.
Mike worked as a truck driver for Stop and Shop but spent most of his career as a large equipment operator, working on both residential and large commercial projects. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, buying and fixing all kinds of vehicles and had a particular love for old tractors and farm equipment. His life was happily spent together with his wife, Theresa, and children and together they enjoyed trips to the Cape, Sturbridge, Nova Scotia, Florida and of course Maine. Their hobbies included camping, raising livestock, growing their own food, collecting antiques and spending time with family.
Mike and Theresa, who always wanted a farmhouse with a big barn and lots of land, fulfilled a lifelong dream when they moved to Hancock in 1989. Unlike many who move to Maine, all the Gavin children eventually settled in the Ellsworth/ Hancock area.
Mike will be greatly missed by all who knew him, but particularly by his wife of 58 years, Theresa; his adult children and their spouses, Theresa and Paul Ouellette, Michael and Sharon Gavin, Michelle and Robert Fortin, previous son-in-law Herb Lewis, Cathy and Albert Leeman; and his eight grandchildren, Brandon, Kyle and Cameron Ouellette, Samantha Gavin, Zackary and Jacob Lewis, Matthew and Eve Leeman.
A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 231 Main St., Ellsworth, at 11 a.m. Immediately following Mass, a reception and continued fellowship will be celebrated in the church hall.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, Ellsworth, where online condolences may be shared at www.bragdonkelley.com.