Clark W. Toothaker (1921-2012)

FARMINGTON – Clark W. Toothaker, 90, a resident of the Sandy River Center for Health Care and Rehabilitation since Nov. of 2009, formerly of N. Chesterville, was guided home by the Super Moon on the evening of Saturday May 5, 2012.

Clark Toothaker

He was born Dec. 26, 1921, in N. Chesterville on the small family dairy farm, the son of Van W. and Methyl A. (Fuller) Toothaker. He was a 1940 graduate of Farmington High School and worked on the family farm. He was also employed at Forster Manufacturing in East Wilton in the Machine Lathe department for toothpick wood.

He retired on Feb. 1, 1984 after 33 years, 5 months of service to James River Corp. and the Otis Mill. He was an insurance agent from 1957-1987 for Patrons Oxford Mutual Insurance and for 25 years, beginning in 1971 owned Toothaker’s Greenhouse in North Chesterville. He always gave his loyal customers tips on how best to grow their seedlings and would often remind them to look to see when the full of the moon was before planting their purchases.

In keeping with the long-held traditions of his farming family, he became the first Jr. Grange Master and was a 75-year member of Chesterville Grange #20, and received his certificate for that distinction in 2011. He was also a member of Pomona, State and National Granges. He will long be remembered for his involvement in humorous skits, fox trot, contra and polka dancing and in his delivery of the 1st and 2nd Degrees. He served the Town of Chesterville for a three-year term as selectman.

His hobbies included farming, gardening, fishing, hunting, playing cribbage, bowling, dancing and listening to Polkas and old Time Music. Throughout his lifetime, he never lost touch with his farming heritage and enjoyed teaching the basics to his family and friends. As has been lovingly shared about Clark, “once a farmer, always a farmer.” He was dedicated to his family and his community and was proud to be the grandfather of two grandsons, (the boys he never had).

Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Zelma Meisner “Sis” Toothaker, of SRNCC, Farmington, formerly of N. Chesterville; two daughters: Claire T. Trask of N. Chesterville and Anne T. Lambert and her husband Thomas of N. Chesterville; two special grandsons: Jeremy T. Lambert and his wife Danielle “Dani” of Virginia Beach, Virginia and Joshua C. Lambert of Chesterville; nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, June 3, 2012, at 2 p.m. from the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Rd., (Rtes. 2 & 27) Farmington, with Rev. John Tolman officiating. Committal prayers at the funeral home. Following services, a reception will be held at the N. Chesterville Grange Hall. Remembrance gifts may be given to either the SRNCC 119 Livermore Falls Rd. Farmington, Me. 04938 or to the Chesterville Grange #20 94 Valley Rd. Chesterville, Me. 04938 Att. Karen Locke.

Condolences and tributes may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com. Private burial at Webster Cemetery.