Harland E. Storey, Sr.

On Wednesday, February 15, Harland was called home to be with his brother Donn. The oldest of nine children, Harland was born in Portland on October 27, 1933, to Doris and Horace Storey. When he was an infant, they moved to Cumberland where Harland remained for his entire life. In 1959, he married his wife Carol Anne Dunning, he built a house and together they built a home across the street from where he grew up. Family was the most important thing to Harland. At age fifteen, he left school and went to the woods as a logger to help support his family. He has loved being outside ever since, farming, hunting, fishing, and in his later years driving his golf-converted-garden cart around the neighborhood to see what family members were up to. In 1956, Harland was drafted into the US Army, rising to the rank of Sergeant. He spent two years stationed at Fort Myers in Arlington, VA with the First Infantry Division. Upon getting out in 1958, he went on to serve two more years in the National Guard. A longtime member of the Teamsters, Harland made a career as a truck driver, beginning in the 50's for A&P, then Dearborn Motor Express, and retiring from St. Johnsbury. He prided himself in his driving skills. In the 1970's and 80's, he participated in and won many driving competitions. After retiring from trucking, Harland drove a school bus for several years in Yarmouth. In 1955, Harland joined the Casco Masonic Lodge #36, later becoming a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Portland (1959), and the Kora Shrine where he was a member of the Legion of Honor. He was very proud of the work the Masonic family does to support children and their families and worked to raise money for Camp Sunshine and the Masonic Learning Center. Despite his gruff exterior, Harland was a softy and children loved him. He often had a special nickname for his grandchildren that only he would use. In addition to raising money with the Shriners, Harland and his wife Carol quietly raised considerable funds for the Tuttle Road Methodist Church which he joined later in life. Every fall for many years, they would operate a booth he built himself and sell lobster stew and his famous handmade donuts at the Cumberland Fair. His donuts were a favorite of all who would attend the church's Christmas Fair, some specifically going to the fair for his donuts. Other than his family, Harland was most proud of his town. Growing up during the Depression gave him an appreciation for community and he was always trying to improve the community for all. He was the last surviving member of the Town of Cumberland Board of Selectmen and first Town Council. He served in this capacity for over 30 years, the longest in Cumberland's history, and was recognized by the Governor when he retired from elected office. As an elected official, he accomplished many things, from the creation of the Town Council Charter to the acquisition of several town properties, including Val Halla, and the Twin Brooks Recreation Area. In fact, he was the person who suggested the name Twin Brooks. He was respected for his conservative, yet long term vision for the town, and worried about it losing its sense of community. One thing he felt badly about was the secession of Chebeague from the Town as he had many friends there and appreciated their work ethic and sense of community. Even after retiring from the Council, he served on the Shellfish Commission, the Veterans Monument Committee, and on the committee to rebuild the Central Fire Station. Harland realized the importance of education. He himself was an intelligent man with an incredible memory and a great deal of common sense. He could be counted on to solve problems with honesty and integrity. He read the newspaper every day and stayed current on happenings in the town. Few ever wondered what he was thinking about because by the time he spoke about anything, he had given it a great deal of thought. When the second generation of family graduated from Greely, Harland-with his family-started a family scholarship to give back to the community that had so generously given to us. As one might expect, the scholarships are given to hard-working students who are civic-minded, students who want to help others. Harland believed in hard work and self-reliance, traits he encouraged in his children and extended family. He is proud of the fact that all his children can grow a garden, raise animals, and feed themselves if they need to. He could fix just about anything, and had a tool for any task. He never asked anyone to do anything he could do himself, also characteristics he passed on to family. Harland is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carol Dunning Storey, his children Shirley (Bob) Storey-King, Nancy (Charles Sparrow) Storey, Harland (Teresa) Jr., Sandra (Steve) Wood, Donna (John) Kane, and Dale (Amy) Storey. He has sixteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Arlene (Frank) Patrizio, Grace Carvalho, Eleanor (David Gordon) Randall, Diane (Dick) Crocker, brothers Charles (Paula) Storey, Robert (Linda) Storey, Phil (Linda) Storey, sister-in-law Patricia Storey, and dozens of nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother Donn R. Storey. Visiting hours will be at A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home, 660 Brighton Avenue, Portland on Monday, February 20, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at Greely Middle School, 353 Tuttle Road in Cumberland on Tuesday at 11:00AM. The family is grateful for the kindness and support of Beacon Hospice, especially Michael Lacey, Amy Grant, Laura Clinton, and Becca Kita. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking you to consider making a donation in Harland's memory to the Storey Family Scholarship, 28 Shirley Lane, Cumberland, Maine 04021, or the Portland Children's Dyslexia Center, 1897 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04102

Harland E. Storey, Sr.

October 27, 1933 - February 15, 2023

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