Ernest Park

Major General Ernest C. Park
Brewer
Major General Ernest (Ernie) Cook Park, 88, passed away peacefully February 13, 2021, at his residence with his wife of 60 years and best friend, Elizabeth (Liz) Park, by his side. He was born in Dexter, Maine, January 8, 1933, son of Arthur L. Park and Bertha Cook Park.
He had an amazing life. In 1951, right out of Old Orchard Beach high school, he joined the U. S. Marine Corps and served over a year on the front lines of the Korean War as a heavy machine gunner in the 1st Marine Division. Once back in his hometown of Old Orchard Beach, he became the Captain of all the lifeguards for the 7-mile beach.
He continued his education, majoring in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maine in Orono, where he was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. In 1957, he won the honor of being the Campus Mayor. He took on the character of Joe Palooka’s Humphrey Pennyworth for that year and kept a live bear named Bananas with him during football season.
The following year, he transferred from enlisted Marine reservist to Air Force Officer, joining the 101st Fighter Interceptor Wing (now the 101st Air Refueling Wing) of the Maine Air National Guard, and went to navigator training at James Connally Air Force Base, in Waco, Texas. While training in Texas, he met his future wife, Elizabeth, who was finishing her education at Baylor University in Waco.
After returning to Maine, he finished his education, receiving a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maine, Orono. He stayed at the University as an instructor in the engineering program, then pursued professional engineering work throughout the state of Maine, working for Chapman Precision Products, Dead River, Sylvania, Pyr-A-Larm, and Ames Engineers. In 1972, he was Director of Engineering for Thayer Hospital in Waterville, and in 1977, the Director of Engineering, Housekeeping, and Safety for Eastern Maine Medical Center, overseeing numerous expansion projects for that hospital into the eighties.
Throughout those years, he continued to fly in the Maine Air Guard as a Radar Intercept Officer in the F-89J Scorpion and as a Weapon Systems Officer in the F-101 Voodoo. In 1968, while on a routine training mission, he and his pilot had a significant engine fire on takeoff. Both were able to escape; however, Ernie suffered extensive injuries during egress. Ernie recovered and continued flying in the F-101 until the Wing converted to KC-135 Stratotanker in 1976. While a full-time civilian engineer, he also held many leadership positions in the 101st, Commander of the 101st Consolidated Aircraft Squadron, the Deputy Commander of Maintenance for the 101st, and Chief of Staff Air for Maine Air National Guard Headquarters in Augusta.
In 1987, he was appointed as The Adjutant General (TAG) for Maine and Commissioner of the Department of Defense and Veterans Services for the State of Maine, serving until he retired in Sept 1991. During his time as TAG, he was instrumental in significant improvements for the Maine National Guard to include the Armed Forces Reserve Center and an expansion to the Maine Veterans cemetery.
He was also very active in the Anah Temple Shrine for 50 years and was honored to become the Potentate for the Anah Shrine in 1994. He and Liz had many wonderful times with their Shrine Friends across Maine and the Northeast. One of his favorite Shrine activities was visiting the Pediatric Shrine Hospital in Springfield, MA, with the Clown Unit. After Ernie’s year as Potentate, the Clowns gave Ernie a Clown nametag that named him “Ernie Who.” He proudly wore his “Ernie Who” Clown name with the Clowns.
In retirement, he also continued to be the most wonderful Father and Grandfather and will be terribly missed by his family and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Virginia (and her husband in 1945), mother-in-law Myra, father-in-law Richard, brother William (Bill), brother-in-law Carlton, sister Barbara, sister Constance (Connie), daughter-in-law Margaret, and niece Virginia (Ginny).
Surviving, in addition to his wife, is his son Joseph, daughter Deborah and her husband John, his grandchildren Jessica and Lance, his sister Dolores, brother-in-law Richard, cousin Till, as well as many other cherished cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Those wishing to remember Ernie in a special way, please consider a memorial donation in his memory to St. Joseph Home Care and Hospice, P.O. Box 934, Bangor, Maine 04402-0934, whose care and compassion after his recent stroke allowed him a peaceful passing with family at his home.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, immediate services will be private. Interment with full military honors will be held at Maine Veterans Cemetery at a later date.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.