Peter F. Conklin

Peter F. Conklin August 13, 1941 December 22, 2012 PORTLAND - Peter F. Conklin passed away peacefully on December 22 at the USVA Togus Springs, Hospice Unit, Augusta, ME, after an extended period of declining health. Peter was born August 13, 1941 in Morristown, NJ to Herbert T. and Frances Elizabeth (Thompson) Conklin. He attended schools in Morristown and graduated from Morristown High School in 1959. He then went to Bryant University, Smithfield, RI and graduated 1962 with a BS in business. He was a member of Alpha Omicron fraternity. He was a US Army veteran and served with the 1st Military Intelligence Battalion at Fort Bragg, NC from October 1962 to October 1965, as an Image Interpreter. He was sent to Miami, FL during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Peter was very proud to have served his country. Peter began his career with the Soo Line Railroad, the primary US railroad subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Railway. He was employed in Minneapolis and Milwaukee. He was first employed as a File Clerk in the Soo Line Engineering Department and then finally in management, tracking the movement of all freight cars in the Midwest and Canada. He retired in 1999, working 32 years. He was predeceased in death by parents Herbert T. and Frances Elizabeth Conklin and brother-in-law Luke E. Fithian. He was also predeceased by his favorite aunt and uncle, Edwin and Lucille Thompson. Peter is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Betsy and Jim Stoddard, Cumberland Foreside; brother and sister-in-law, H. Terry and Marie Conklin, Palm Bay, FL; nephew and wife, Christopher Luke Fithian and Jessica Marie Wilson, Jackson, NH; cousins, Frank E. Thompson and Kenneth Fruhman, Provincetown, MA; David R. and Carol Thompson, Chester, NJ; William F. Thompson and Jennifer A. Borealo, Chester, NJ; and John C. and Darlene H. Thompson, Port Murray, NJ. Peter often reminisced about family gatherings with his cousins and especially growing up playing with cousin Frank. Peter will be sorely missed by his family. Peter was a lifelong Episcopalian, and always a member of an Episcopal church wherever he lived. He grew up in his family's parish, Church of the Redeemer, Morristown, NJ and was an acolyte, junior choir member, and a member of the Young People's Fellowship. Retiring to Portland in 2010 from Wisconsin, he became a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Portland. Peter was a member of the Soo Line Employee Club and the Falmouth American Legion Post. He enjoyed watching old movies, working on the computer, solving crossword puzzles and reading. He continued communicating with his longtime friends in the Midwest and enjoyed new friendships in the Portland area. Peter's family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the VA Portland Clinic and the USVA Togus Springs, Augusta for all the exceptional care provided. Family also thanks ITN Portland, for their care and concern for Peter, while providing transportation to his appointments. A Requiem Mass will be celebrated by The Rev. Kelly Moughty and The Rev. Lawrence B. Weeks at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 678 Washington Avenue, Portland on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 11 am, followed by a reception in the Undercroft. Burial will be private at the Conklin family plot in Bernardsville, NJ in the spring. Arrangements are under the care of A.T. Hutchins Funeral and Cremation Services, Portland. To offer words of condolence and share memories with the family, please go to www.athutchins.com For those who wish, memorial contributions would be most appreciated to: Independent Transportation Network 90 Bridge Street, Suite 100 Westbrook, ME 04092

Peter F. Conklin

August 13, 1941 - December 22, 2012

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