MAROON (MOO MOO) NEMER 1927-2005

Copyright © 2005 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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SKOWHEGAN -- Maroon (Moo Moo) Nemer, 77, of Skowhegan, passed away Thursday, March 31, 2005, at Redington-Fairview General Hospital after a short, courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Waterville on Aug. 2, 1927, the son of William and Isabelle (Elhilu) Nemer. He was a 1945 graduate of Waterville High School and was a graduate of Thomas Business College in Waterville. He was married to the former Dottie McEwen on June 6,1954, by Father Gorham at St. Joseph Maronite Catholic Church.

He worked at a young age setting up pins at the bowling alley in Waterville. He went on to manage the Skowhegan Bowling Lanes for several years. He then worked for 37 years as a salesman for Unity Sales and Bugbee Brown, Inc., retiring in 1991. As a polio victim at 9, bowling became an important part of his recovery. He went on to become Waterville's youngest city champion at 17.

Maroon was best known in the community and the state for his 47 years of service with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was a member of the Waterville Elks Lodge for 17 years. He was instrumental in organizing the formation of the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge, where he served four terms as exalted ruler, three terms as a trustee for the Maine Elks Association, as president of the Maine Elks Association from 1983-85 and as district deputy for the Maine Central District from 1984-85.

He had just completed his seventh year as secretary of the Skowhegan-Madison Lodge on March 31, and rarely missed a meeting until his health declined earlier this year. He was a lifetime member of the Skowhegan Eagles F.O.E. Among his numerous awards included Skowhegan-Madison Lodge Elk of the Year in 1993-94 and Maine Elks Assoc. Elk of the Year in 1998-99. Maroon worked tirelessly for the Elks National Foundation, the major charity of the fraternal organization, and chaired the lodge's fund-raising committee for 28 years. Thanks to his efforts, the Skowhegan-Madison Lodge had the highest per-capita donation among lodges in its membership category three times. One of Maroon's proudest moments was the 2003 election of his close friend, Amos A. McCallum of the Biddeford-Saco Lodge,as Maine's first Grand Exalted Ruler or national president of the Elks.

He is survived by his wife, Dottie; a son, William, and wife, Sheila daughters Robin Yeaton, and husband, Tom, and Brenda and husband, Brian; sisters Yvonne and Theresa Nemer; four grandchildren, Ashley, Carl, David and Kristy; two great-grandchildren Zachary and Joshua; cousin Helen Macken and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents and sister Minnie Wilson. Moo Moo was a loving and devoted husband, father and friend and will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Visiting hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, April 3, 2005 at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville, during which the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge will hold a memorial service at 7 p.m. and a Maronite Wake Service will be held at 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial and committal prayers will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Maronite Catholic Church, Front St., Waterville with Rev. Samuel Najjar officiating and Rev. Mr. Peter Joseph assisting. Burial will follow in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, Grove Street, Waterville.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Elks National Foundation, in Care of the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge, 21 Silver St., Skowhegan, ME 04979 or to St. Joseph Maronite Catholic Church, 3 Appleton St., Waterville, ME 04901.

Condolences may be expressed at www.gallantfh.com.