Everett Purvis

Everett D. "Ted" Purvis, 89, passed away peacefully at home with his loving daughter, Sheryl A. "Sherry" Chaousis, and bonus daughter, Carol J. Craig, by his side on September 2, 2023. Everett was born July 29, 1934, in Carmel, Maine. He was the son of the late Harold R. and Ruth P. (Ross) Purvis.

Everett enlisted in the United States Army on September 22, 1953. He completed basic training and went on to successfully complete the Turret Artillery Mechanic Course in Fort Knox, Kentucky, on July 16, 1954. He attained the rank of SP-3 on September 30, 1954, and went on to complete Airborne School with the 11th Airborne Division (Angels) at Fort Campbell Kentucky on January 15, 1955. On September 21, 1956, he was transferred to the Inactive Ready Reserve until being honorably discharged at the rank of SP-4 after completion of his eight year military service obligation on October 16, 1961.

Ted, as he liked to be called, attended Bangor schools and received his General Education Diploma from the State of Maine on April 22nd 1968. He met his loving wife, May E. Cook, at Auto Rest Park Roller Rink in Carmel, Maine, and on October 4, 1957, they were married in Newport, Maine. This year they would have celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary.

In 1950, Everett went to work for John Russell, contractor. During the slow season of winter, while continuing his employment with John, he bought a 1958 Ford pulp truck (a real lemon) and hauled many loads for Prentiss and Carlisle. In 1972, while building a house in Eddington, Maine, he decided to strike out on his own as a home builder. As a self-employed contractor, Ted built many residential homes, including the home he shared with his wife in Veazie, and which is now their daughter, Sheryl's home. Ted built commercial properties to include the Hartstone Memorial Building, two former Nite Owl convenience stores, the Drum Stick, Granada Apartments and twenty new units at the Bluenose Inn in Bar Harbor, Maine. Ted, contracted by the late Galen Cole, also constructed the covered bridge located next to the Cole Transportation Museum in Bangor.

Along with his wife and daughter, Ted enjoyed candlepin bowling. He was an accomplished bowler, participating in many leagues and tournaments, appearing on Maine Candlepin Action and in 1970 was a member of the winning Eastern Maine Open Championship Team. Ted and May also enjoyed dancing and could cut up a rug doing the jitterbug. In his retirement, Ted enjoyed making hand-crafted items for his family and friends. He enjoyed playing golf with his wife and special friends, Dave and Vivian Findley, and afternoon music jams with family and friends.

Everett is survived by his daughter, Sheryl; bonus daughter, Carol; his brother, Richard "Dick" and his wife, Ruth, of Bangor; brother-in-law, Del Cannon of Louisiana; many nieces and nephews; special friend and companion, Gloria Tapley; and granddog, Zoe. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his brother, Robert Purvis and his wife, Marianne; sisters, Phyllis Williams and her husband, Marion, Helen Cannon, and Sharon Briggs and her husband, Dean; and son-in-law, James D. Chaousis.

Sheryl would like to thank the staff of St. Joseph Homecare and Hospice for their kind and compassionate care of her beloved father over these last weeks.

Graveside services will be conducted on October 4, at Highland Cemetery, Carmel, Maine, at 1 p.m. followed by a reception honoring Everett and his late wife, May, who passed away in 2020 during a time when in person gatherings were discouraged due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Please join their daughter at the Brookings Smith Family Reception Center, Center St., Bangor for a time of reflection and celebration of their lives immediately following the service. Light refreshments will be served. Instead of flowers, please remember my dad with a song as music is the window to the soul. Condolences may be expressed at Brookingssmith.com.