Peter Polk

Greenbush, Maine - Peter Philip Polk left to live with his Savior on June 25, 2025, at a Bangor hospital, surrounded by his loving family, following a brief but severe illness after years of battling cancer. He was born on October 16, 1941, in Brewer, Maine, the son of Philip and Kathleen (Greene) Polk.

Peter grew up in the "Little City" neighborhood of Bangor and often joked that he was a kid before kids were lazy, because he always had to walk to school. He fondly recalled chasing the ice deliveryman to grab chips of ice from his cart and remembered how his grandmother would put on a dress and do her makeup before turning on the television, thinking the news anchor could see her through the screen.

Living through the Cold War era, Peter practiced air raid drills under his school desk and remembered his father, Phil, serving as one of the town wardens in charge of blackout protocols. He and his friends had their fair share of unsupervised fun, from shooting .22 rifles in their basements to experimenting with chemistry sets. He also cherished summers spent fishing for pickerel or reading a good book with his parents on Big Lake in Princeton.

Peter graduated from Bangor High School, Class of 1959, and earned his BA in Economics from the University of Maine in 1964, with postgraduate studies at Northeastern University, Hartt College, and Berklee College. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1965, serving at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and later worked as a policeman in Norton, Massachusetts.

In 1979, he married his beloved "sweetie," Carolyn Flatt, in Omaha, Georgia, and the two settled in Greenbush, Maine. Peter continued his law enforcement career at the University of Maine before serving as a career soldier in the 195th Army Band in Bangor, retiring as First Sergeant on his 60th birthday, October 16, 2001.

Peter was the founder of the Peter Polk Orchestra, which performed dance and swing music throughout Maine. A man of many interests, he belonged to various clubs and organizations and was always sharp-dressed, regardless of the occasion. He loved Jesus, his western boots, his trumpet, and his wheel guns. He had a passion for reading, "swapping lies," and sharing his knowledge, especially about his family's connection to the Mount Waldo Granite Company.

In addition to his military and musical service, Peter lived a life of quiet, steadfast service to others. Over the years, he took on many roles that reflected his sense of duty and compassion for his community. He served as a volunteer fireman, town emergency management director, and church security chief-always the first to show up in times of need. His faith was the guiding force in his life, and he served faithfully as a deacon, choir leader, and small group leader at his church. Whether he was protecting his town, mentoring fellow believers, or leading worship with his voice and trumpet, Peter's life was marked by a servant's heart.

Years ago, Peter took on a deeply personal mission: to play Taps at the funerals of fellow servicemen. This calling began after a funeral where he met an elderly widower who had just lost the last person he knew-his wife. The encounter moved Peter to tears and cemented his commitment to honoring veterans with his trumpet. He served as a bugler for both the Air Force and Army Honor Guards alongside his friend, Colonel John Thomas. Peter was also the bugler for the American Legion in Milo, where he was a proud Legionnaire. It broke his heart that he had to cancel his final Taps assignment for the Legion this Memorial Day, May 26, 2025, due to his sudden and ultimately terminal illness-he quite literally played his trumpet proudly until he was physically unable.

Peter was predeceased by his parents, Philip and Kathleen Polk, and his sisters, Ruth (Stone) Pearse and Phyllis (Stone) Furlong. He is survived by his wife of nearly 46 years, Carolyn (Flatt) Polk; his children: Andrew of Bangor, Jeremy and wife Tonya of Bangor, Benjamin and wife Kristin of Washington, DC, Porsche and husband AJ Harnois of Old Town, and Richard and wife Jodie of Old Town; his grandchildren: Hannah Langworthy, Kaitlyn Potts, Megan Polk, David Polk, Rachel Polk, Michael Polk, Jonathan Polk, Joey Harnois, Jaxson Harnois, Carter Polk, Gavin Polk, and Ryder Polk; and great-grandchildren: Lucas Langworthy, Isaac Cadet, Leia Cadet, Wesley Potts, and Lily Potts.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at United Baptist Church, 86 Middle St., Old Town, officiated by Reverend Scott Benner. Family and friends are welcome to visit with the family from 10:00 am until the time of the service. All are invited to share in conversation and light refreshments in the church Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. Interment will take place at 1:30 PM at Greenbush Cemetery on Main Road with military honors. All family and friends are welcome to attend.

Forever with Jesus.