Leland McClarie

LELAND D. "PETE" McCLARIE

HERMON, MAINE

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Leland David "Pete" McClarie, 98, who died peacefully after a long illness on July 28, 2025, at the Maine Veterans' Home in Bangor. He was born on February 13, 1927, in Crystal Station, the son of David W. and Laura E. (Stubbs) McClarie.

After attending grammar school in a one-room schoolhouse in Crystal, Dad graduated from Island Falls High School, Class of 1944. Following graduation, he moved to Bangor and began a 42-year career at Sears where he worked his way up from unloading freight to being the manager of the sporting goods and hardware departments.

When we were children, it was not uncommon for Dad to casually announce during supper that Ted Williams had stopped by the sporting goods department for a visit that day. Recently, we have been surprised and gladdened by the number of Sears friends and former employees who came to visit Dad in the hospital and at the Maine Veterans' Home. All valued his friendship and his leadership. 0ne former employee said she admired Dad so much that she had always wished he was her father too! How fortunate we are to have had a dad like that.

In 1950 Dad met a student nurse who became the love of his life. He and our mother, Marjorie Mae Brewer, were married on November 11, 1950, in Bangor. They were married for 49 years, but Dad was devoted to her for his entire life.

Dad served his country in the US Air Force and the Maine Air National Guard for nearly 25 years. During the Korean War he was stationed at Fairford Royal Air Force Base in England. He was sent to the RAFB, not as part of a unit, but on his own. He organized and managed the motor pool at the new base. Dad was known for his organizational skills in any group to which he belonged - the military, Sears, the Hermon Boy Scouts, the Penobscot County Genealogical Society, and the Sears Retiree Club (which he created). He even settled family squabbles with his charts and assignments (the famous schedule for who was to wash and who was to dry the dishes each night!).

He retired from the service with the rank of master sergeant. In 2019 Dad was able to participate in Honor Flight Maine, a group that honors veterans with a trip to Washington, D.C.

As a young man, Dad joined the Masons. He was a member of the Rising Virtue Masonic Lodge No. 10, A. F. & A. M. in Bangor, and recently received his 75 year pin.

Our father had many interests and an active mind. He loved family history and spent many hours researching his Irish ancestors. As a "senior-senior" citizen he learned how to use a computer and a cell phone. He delighted in showing people that he knew how to take a selfie and send it in a message.

He loved to travel with his friend, John Nelligan, to Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England - but especially to Ireland, the land of his ancestors. He never turned down a road trip or a picnic with family or friends. Following the example of his parents, he was a lifelong Red Sox fan - win or lose. Dad especially loved a good joke. In his list of instructions for us after his passing, his final request was for us to notify the Post Office of his forwarding address. Dad would say, "It's a time joke."

At the grand age of 96, Dad, with the aid of his granddaughter Sarah, wrote a book called Oh, Boy! It's a Masterpiece. It's a collection of stories and memories of his long and eventful life - a family treasure which honors his interest in genealogy. He had his picture taken in front of Stephen King's house in Bangor to mark the occasion.

Dad is survived by a grateful family - grateful to have had him in our lives for so many years, and thankful for his love and the many lessons he taught us.

His five children are Jane M. Laughlin and her husband, Robert, of South Portland; Peter D. McClarie and his wife, Traci, of Winslow; Susan A. Wolfe and her husband, Terry, of Wickenburg, AZ; Kathy J. Shepard and her husband, Benjamin, of Bangor; and Steven C. McClarie and his wife, Julie, of Hermon.

His grandchildren are Bonnie Laughlin (and Kevin), David McClarie, Sarah McClarie Claxton (and Hunter), Marie McClarie Panameño (and Hector Minero), Jeff P. McClarie, Edward Noblet, Terry (TJ) Wolfe, Leland Graves (and Rowena), Jeffrey M. McClarie, Jacob McClarie (and Daisy), Ashley McClarie (and fiancé, Jordan Spaulding), and Richard Curtis III (and Angie).

His great-grandchildren are Malcolm Camire, Orion Laughlin, Bodhi Laughlin, and Kenna Claire Arroza Graves.

He is also survived by two nieces, Rhoda Bemis and Myrna Woods.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Leland was predeceased by his sister, Dora A. Spencer; a granddaughter, Lauren K. Graves; a daughter-in-law, Donna McClarie; three "brothers," Abbie Spencer, Carl Brewer, and Clarence Oldenburg; and many fine friends.

Family and friends are welcome to visit on Thursday, August 7, from 5-7 p.m. at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor. A funeral service will be held at Brookings-Smith on Friday, August 8, at 3 p.m. Interment will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Hermon.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to remember Leland in a special way may make a gift in his memory to any of his favorite causes - or buy a birdfeeder and feed our feathered friends.

● Honor Flight Maine (honorflightmaine.org)

● Penobscot County Genealogical Society (℅ Bangor Public Library, 143 Harlow St., Bangor, Maine 04401)

● United Technologies Center/Culinary Arts, 200 Hogan Road, Bangor, ME 04401 (att'n. Tricia Jellison)

Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.