Harry Treworgy, 94, of Orono, passed away peacefully at his home on November 4, after a long life well-lived.
Harry Thaxter Treworgy, born Dec. 9, 1923, was brought up in Milo, ME by his parents Fannie (Thaxter) and Forrest Reuben Treworgy.
Harry began his active civic life in high school when he learned to fly and joined the Civil Air Patrol. He was an Eagle Scout and attended the National Jamboree in Washington D.C. in 1937. The Boy Scouts continued to hold a special place in his heart, and he supported them generously throughout his life.
When Pearl Harbor was attacked during his freshman year at the University of Maine, Harry joined the 9th Air Force. During boot camp he contracted pneumonia which severely damaged his lungs. Strenuous activity was no longer possible, so he was trained as a Morse code operator. He was stationed near London before D-Day, and then followed the forward troops into France and Germany. As a result of his stay in London, Harry had a life-long affinity for England, and made many visits to Great Britain.
The war ended and Harry was discharged (Dec. 10, 1945) and returned to college, eventually graduating (class of 1949) with a Bachelor’s degree in business. During summer school, he was smitten with fellow student Charlotte Harris, who would go home to St. Petersburg, Florida after the summer term. Harry traveled, by DC3 airplane, to Florida at Christmas to propose marriage (married 1948).
After graduation, Harry joined his father and brother, Paul, in the family business, operating a small chain of Ben Franklin department stores in Milo, Orono, Bucksport, and Guilford. Harry continued his strong civic engagement when he was elected as a State Representative during 1959-1960 and was appointed to the Governor’s Council from 1961-1962, serving under Governor John Reed. He was also an active member of the Orono Board of Selectmen. Harry also served for seven years as treasurer of the University of Maine Alumni Council. Harry and Charlotte lived in Orono 30 years, where they brought up their three sons.
Harry enjoyed outdoor activities with his three boys, particularly boating. In the early 1970’s he retraced part of Henry David Thoreau’s canoe trip in northern Maine. Paddling with his sons Mark and Dean, and friend, Dr. Trig Netland. Progress was uneventful until hitting a subsurface rock in whitewater just upriver of an unseen waterfall called Grand Pitch. Harry was washed over Grand Pitch, a 20 foot drop. He was eventually awarded a First Aid book by the Kiwanis Club for being the first person known to survive the descent over Grand Pitch Falls. The experience didn’t diminish his love of boating. He later sailed from Florida to Maine in a boat built by son Mark, and participated in the Tall Ship Sail into Boston Harbor.
Harry and Charlotte moved to Castine (1979) where they opened and ran a retail store, Treworgy Ships Chandlery, overlooking the harbor. Harry and Charlotte both enjoyed the village and the visitors in that pretty coastal town. Harry and Charlotte moved back to Orono and Dirigo Pines in 2003 to be near friends and family.
Harry enjoyed many and varied interests. He restored two antique Rolls Royces. He enjoyed sailing. He loved to ski with his sons both in Maine and in Europe. He studied genealogy and researched his family’s Cornish ancestors who arrived in Kittery, ME in 1633. Harry’s greatest interest was his family.
Harry’s family was all important to him and he took a genuine interest in their work. He helped his eldest son, Mark, to build his first steel yacht on the beach in Florida. Mark went on to open a boatyard, Treworgy Yachts, where he built many more. When his middle son, Dean, was a jewelry designer in New York City, Harry studied gemology at the Gemological Institute of America. He drove the tractor for hayrides at his son Gary, and wife Patty’s Treworgy Family Orchards in Levant.
Harry and Charlotte traveled widely around the world making more than 100 trips abroad, often with friends and family. Harry will be remembered for his vivacious spirit, his generosity, and his love of excellent candy.
Harry is survived by his wife, Charlotte, his three sons, Mark, Dean, and Gary, his daughters-in-law, Patty and Toni, his three granddaughters and ten great grandchildren.
A private memorial service will be held by the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Boy Scouts of America in Harry’s honor.
Boy Scouts of America
Katahdin Area Council
P.O. Box 1869
Bangor, ME 04401
Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
Harry Thaxter Treworgy, born Dec. 9, 1923, was brought up in Milo, ME by his parents Fannie (Thaxter) and Forrest Reuben Treworgy.
Harry began his active civic life in high school when he learned to fly and joined the Civil Air Patrol. He was an Eagle Scout and attended the National Jamboree in Washington D.C. in 1937. The Boy Scouts continued to hold a special place in his heart, and he supported them generously throughout his life.
When Pearl Harbor was attacked during his freshman year at the University of Maine, Harry joined the 9th Air Force. During boot camp he contracted pneumonia which severely damaged his lungs. Strenuous activity was no longer possible, so he was trained as a Morse code operator. He was stationed near London before D-Day, and then followed the forward troops into France and Germany. As a result of his stay in London, Harry had a life-long affinity for England, and made many visits to Great Britain.
The war ended and Harry was discharged (Dec. 10, 1945) and returned to college, eventually graduating (class of 1949) with a Bachelor’s degree in business. During summer school, he was smitten with fellow student Charlotte Harris, who would go home to St. Petersburg, Florida after the summer term. Harry traveled, by DC3 airplane, to Florida at Christmas to propose marriage (married 1948).
After graduation, Harry joined his father and brother, Paul, in the family business, operating a small chain of Ben Franklin department stores in Milo, Orono, Bucksport, and Guilford. Harry continued his strong civic engagement when he was elected as a State Representative during 1959-1960 and was appointed to the Governor’s Council from 1961-1962, serving under Governor John Reed. He was also an active member of the Orono Board of Selectmen. Harry also served for seven years as treasurer of the University of Maine Alumni Council. Harry and Charlotte lived in Orono 30 years, where they brought up their three sons.
Harry enjoyed outdoor activities with his three boys, particularly boating. In the early 1970’s he retraced part of Henry David Thoreau’s canoe trip in northern Maine. Paddling with his sons Mark and Dean, and friend, Dr. Trig Netland. Progress was uneventful until hitting a subsurface rock in whitewater just upriver of an unseen waterfall called Grand Pitch. Harry was washed over Grand Pitch, a 20 foot drop. He was eventually awarded a First Aid book by the Kiwanis Club for being the first person known to survive the descent over Grand Pitch Falls. The experience didn’t diminish his love of boating. He later sailed from Florida to Maine in a boat built by son Mark, and participated in the Tall Ship Sail into Boston Harbor.
Harry and Charlotte moved to Castine (1979) where they opened and ran a retail store, Treworgy Ships Chandlery, overlooking the harbor. Harry and Charlotte both enjoyed the village and the visitors in that pretty coastal town. Harry and Charlotte moved back to Orono and Dirigo Pines in 2003 to be near friends and family.
Harry enjoyed many and varied interests. He restored two antique Rolls Royces. He enjoyed sailing. He loved to ski with his sons both in Maine and in Europe. He studied genealogy and researched his family’s Cornish ancestors who arrived in Kittery, ME in 1633. Harry’s greatest interest was his family.
Harry’s family was all important to him and he took a genuine interest in their work. He helped his eldest son, Mark, to build his first steel yacht on the beach in Florida. Mark went on to open a boatyard, Treworgy Yachts, where he built many more. When his middle son, Dean, was a jewelry designer in New York City, Harry studied gemology at the Gemological Institute of America. He drove the tractor for hayrides at his son Gary, and wife Patty’s Treworgy Family Orchards in Levant.
Harry and Charlotte traveled widely around the world making more than 100 trips abroad, often with friends and family. Harry will be remembered for his vivacious spirit, his generosity, and his love of excellent candy.
Harry is survived by his wife, Charlotte, his three sons, Mark, Dean, and Gary, his daughters-in-law, Patty and Toni, his three granddaughters and ten great grandchildren.
A private memorial service will be held by the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Boy Scouts of America in Harry’s honor.
Boy Scouts of America
Katahdin Area Council
P.O. Box 1869
Bangor, ME 04401
Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
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