BUCKSPORT
Fred Van Lue Mills, 85, passed away on April 8, 2018, in the loving care of his wife of 56 years, Kathy, and their daughters Kimberly and Christine. Fred was born in Bridgeport, Conn., on Sept. 6, 1932, the only child of Joseph Van Lue and Elsie May (Lunt) Mills.
After high school, Fred served as a ship fitter in the U.S. Navy from June 1952 through 1957. He was proud to have served in the Navy; fondly sharing stories of his service aboard the USS New Jersey (BB-62) during the Korean War, and as a ship fitter building the USS Nautilus, and USS George Washington. After being discharged from the Navy, he joined the Merchant Marines, traveling the world on various oil tankers.
In 1962, Fred married Kathleen Olga Feuerbacher and they started a new life together living in Bridgeport, Conn., welcoming two sons Fred Van Lue Jr. and Robert Lee (both deceased in 1979), and a daughter, Christine Marie. He worked for 10 years at the Bridgeport Hydraulic Co. Fred spent his childhood summers visiting relatives on “the old farm” in North Penobscot, where he grew to love the region. In 1971, Fred and Kathy moved the family to Maine to make Bucksport their home. Shortly after moving to Maine, they welcomed their fourth child, Kimberly Ann. Fred was a police officer of the Bucksport Police Department from 1972, until his retirement in 1987. He was a member of the first graduating class of the State of Maine Basic Police School as well as the Drug Enforcement Class in 1972.
Throughout his years Fred enjoyed oil painting, welding, collecting model trains, working with farm animals and sharing memories of his time spent in the Navy, and as a police officer. Kathy, Kim and Chris would like to thank everyone who assisted in providing the care Fred needed in his later years that allowed him to be home, where he wanted to be, until his passing. We would like to thank the Bucksport police officers, fire and ambulance crew members who were quick to respond in a caring fashion when called. Also, the health care professionals from Hancock County Homecare & Hospice, and the Home Based Primary Care of VA Maine Health Care System. We would like to thank Clay from the Hospice Volunteers of Hancock County; the times you spent with Fred were some of his most enjoyable moments in the last year.
Services to honor Fred’s life will be held on Friday, May 11, 2018, at 11 a.m. at the Riverview Cemetery, River Road, Bucksport. A reception at the Edward Arey Community Center (1160 River Road, Bucksport) will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Fred’s name to support the police and fire departments care of the Bucksport Firefighters Association, P.O. Box 1848, Bucksport, ME 04416. Arrangements are under the care of Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home and Cremation Services Bucksport. (mitchelltweedie-young.com)