KERRY EVANS PRIEST
HAMPDEN - Kerry Evans Priest, 65, of Hampden passed away unexpectedly at home early Monday morning, January 23, 2017. Kerry is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Lynn; his son Ben and his wife Lisa; his daughter Jessie Davis and her husband Scott; and his granddaughter Brooklyn. He also leaves behind his brothers and their significant others: Everard and Ruth; Charles and wife, Susan; Kendall and Elizabeth; and Christopher and Denise; his sisters-in-law Suzanne Graves Hall and Gratia Milliken and mother-in-law Carolyn Cruise. He also leaves many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Charles and Lenora Priest of Lowell and his niece Molly of Howland.

Kerry was adored and respected by all who knew him. He grew up in Lowell and attended Penobscot Valley High School. He graduated from the University of Southern Maine where he majored in Education and was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He received his Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Maine, where he became a member of the Kappa Delta Pi educational honor society. Kerry will be best remembered for his 27-year career as Director of Special Education for the Brewer School Department. He was holding the same position for the Greenbush School Department when he died.

Kerry knew from a young age that his life’s work was to help people with disabilities, especially children. This career path fit his personality exceptionally well. He had a brilliant sense of humor, a big heart and a desire to help anyone in need. He started, volunteered for or served on the board of several organizations over the years including: Families and Children Together, the Maine Special Olympics, Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities (MADSEC), the school committee in Hampden, the Good Samaritan Agency, Camp CaPella, and the Charlotte White Center, among many others. He was uncommonly generous with his time and public-spirited to his core.

Kerry read widely and voraciously all his life. He had a particular love of American history and biography, and read everything in print by or about President Theodore Roosevelt, whom he greatly admired. He was also fond of woodcarving and furniture restoration, enjoyed movies and good music and lived for boisterous family gatherings. Kerry had a highly infectious personality and a lot of energy, which he shared with all those around him. He spent many happy hours imagining silly scenarios with his granddaughter and he loved sharing jokes and humorous stories with anyone close enough to listen.

Kerry loved the outdoors as well. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his brothers and their families in the Burlington/Lowell area and cherished spending time at his camp near Eskutassis Pond in Lowell. He was also fond of exploring Maine and Maritime Canada with his wife Lynn and visited St. Andrews By-the-Sea, Grand Manan, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton over the years. Kerry always followed sports and enjoyed attending hockey, basketball, football and baseball games.

A celebration of his life will be held at 1 PM Saturday, January 28, 2017, at the Hampden Highlands United Methodist Church, 44 Kennebec Road, Hampden. The family suggests donations may be sent to Sarah’s House of Maine, 346 Main Road, Holden, ME 04429, Hope House Health and Living Center, 179 Corporate Drive, Bangor, ME, 04401, or Camp CaPella, PO Box 552, Holden, ME 04429. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com