Harold (Hack) Hubert Spiller Jr. (1924-2016)

AUBURN – Harold (Hack) Hubert Spiller Jr., 91, of Rangeley, died on May 19, 2016, at the Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice House.

He was born on June 26, 1924 in Sandy River Plantation, the son of Harold, Sr. And Evelyn (Overton) Spiller.

On Nov. 16, 1942, after graduating high school, Hack enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served with Patrol/Bombing Squadron 16 (VPB16) 2nd engineer, aviation mechanic and tail gunner in the Pacific Theater. He also attended two years of flight school and served with a fighter squadron in San Diego. He served two tours to Korea, first aboard the U.S.S. Philippine Sea and then aboard the U.S.S. Valley Forge which was the first vessel to pass through the Suez Canal and circumnavigate the world. Hack also was stationed in Quonset Point, RI, South Weymouth, MA, Brunswick, ME N.A.S., Annapolis and Patuxent River, MD.

He retired in December of 1962, after a 20-year career, as a Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy. His honors included; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon with Three Battle Stars and the Combat Air Crew Wings.

Hack married Gertrude Shea on Aug. 17, 1955 and they raised two daughters. The family returned to Sandy River Plantation in 1962 where Hack worked for D. C. Morton as a heavy equipment operator, mechanic, and truck driver. Then later on he was a ski lift operator at Saddleback Mountain in the winter months, and during the summer he was the appointed cemetery sexton for the town of Rangeley. Hack was a 50 year member, past master and secretary of the Kemankeag Masonic Lodge #213 in Rangeley, the Western Mountain Shrine Club and Kora Temple Shriners. He also was a member of the Rangeley Lakes American Legion Post #120 serving as finance officer, and a member and Deacon of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Rangeley. Hack enjoyed planting and harvesting a large vegetable garden every year and doing crossword puzzles.

He is survived by; his two daughters, Virginia (Ginny) and husband James of Rangeley, Barbara Lowell of Rangeley; his two granddaughters, Catherine Lowell of Strong, Lisa Lowell of Stratton; his two sisters, Alice Richardson of Rangeley, Lorraine (Tinker) Dunham and husband Bill of Rangeley; many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Gertrude Spiller in 2015, and his brother, William (Bunk) Spiller in 2013.

Donations may be made in Hack’s memory to the Honor Flight of Maine, POB 1770, Portland, ME 04101 or to the Church of the Good Shepherd, POB 156, Rangeley, ME 04970.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 1 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 2614 Main St., in Rangeley. Interment with Masonic services and military honors will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Rangeley. A reception will be held at the church. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington, ME 04938.