Peter Knowles Cain

Peter Knowles Cain October 21, 1937 January 13, 2012 GORHAM - Peter Knowles Cain, 74, passed on to a greater place on Friday January 13, 2012. Peter had been recently diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Disease after struggling with his health for over a year. This diagnosis was worn proudly as it was earned whilst practicing his lifelong passion of blacksmithing. Peter was born in Wiscasset on October 21, 1937 to Kenneth Ellsworth Cain and Dorothy Maybell Knowles. He was raised on a family farm in Wiscasset where his duties included all the animal care, especially tending to the horses that he loved so. As a curious teen in 1953, Peter hit the road to California where he began his long journey as 'Jack of All Trades'. Holding many jobs to make ends meet, one of his proudest was working as a zoo keeper at Thousand Oaks Ranch where he had the privilege of working with big cats. This was a job that Peter savored and was very proud to share these stories for the rest of his life. Next, Peter worked as a long shore man on several merchant vessels taking him around the world, eventually leading him to join the Navy. Peter proudly served as Aviation Ordinance aboard The U.S.S. Ranger for many years until a tragic accident left him unable to serve. After a long rehabilitation, Peter - following yet another interest - took a job building aircraft at Pratt & Whitney Aviation in Hartford, CT. This is where he met Lorna, the love of his life... and his boss! The two married and settled in to manage apartment buildings in East Hartford; where he could fix just about anything! After their only daughter came along in 1968, the two moved back to the family farm in Maine. Always one for adventure, Pete took his new family on a yearlong ""heritage"" exploration in a camper; rambling from Kittery to Prince Edward Island where Peter explored his Irish roots and met long lost cousins. Back in Maine, in 1975 Peter settled in Randolph where he helped Lorna operate a Boarding Home for Veteran's. Peter was proud to give back to many fellow veterans who were struggling to get back on their feet after injury or trauma and did so successfully over the next 30 years. Settling in Randolph brought Peter closer to his father with whom he shared a passion for history, especially the history of The Kennebec River. In the early 80's Peter and his father founded The Richmond Rural Museum, an interactive teaching museum, where visitors could experience life in colonial Kennebec Valley. The museum offered a full working blacksmith shop, wheelwright shop, gristmill, and ice cutting demonstrations- all of which Peter built and demonstrated himself. Not being one to sit still for long, Peter next sought out his Steam Engineer's license while restoring a traditional steamboat, which he launched on The Kennebec River for tours. While spending so much time on the river, Peter served as the Harbor Master for Randolph and became committed to helping the movement to clean up the river. Later, he moved 'The Jason Collins' (named after his grandfather) to Long Lake in Belgrade where he operated tours from the dock at The Village Inn for many years. All the while he continued to do restoration and ornamental blacksmithing from his home shop and was thrilled to contribute many pieces of work to The Maine State Museum. A dedicated student of life, at 50 years old, Peter went back to college to study art at UMA. It is there, that he took a fencing class and once again fell in love! Peter studied fencing avidly, quickly advancing to become a teacher and coach for The UMA Fencing Team in 1996. Further enrichment time was spent learning how to play the bagpipes, participating in historical re-enactments with The Arnold Expedition Society, teaching blacksmithing in Gardiner Adult Ed and High School systems, and sharing his life experiences through poetry and short stories. While it doesn't seem there was time, Peter always made a point to be a dedicated and loving son, husband, father, and grandfather- always setting aside family time for lobster at Five Islands, ice cream at Rickey's, and camping trips on Swan Island. Over his last few years, his favorite activity was spending time with his two grandsons, acting as their number one fan, cheerleader, and teacher! Peter's personality was bright and positive and he touched so many lives along the way. His family would especially like to thank his friends at Seaside Nursing Home in Portland where Peter was embraced and appreciated. Their dedication made sure his last days were full of love. Peter was predeceased by his love, Lorna; mother; father; and sister, Shirley Chancellor. He is survived by his daughter, Crystal Cain Castro; her husband, Brian Castro; and grandsons, Ethan and Elijah; three sons, David Cain, James and his wife Lilia and granddaughter, Michelle Cain; and Robert Glenn Cain, all of California. There will be a wake-style celebration of his life on Saturday January 21, 2012 from 3 - 5 pm at Slate's Restaurant in Hallowell, Maine. Arrangements are under the guidance of Independent Death Care, 660 Brighton Avenue, Portland. To offer words of condolence, sign a guest book and share memories, go to the obituary page at www.independentdeathcare.com

Peter Knowles Cain

October 21, 1937 - January 13, 2012

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