James W. McDonnell, 81, formerly of Gladwyn, Pennsylvania, died on June 6 at St. Andrews Hospital in Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

He was born in New Hope, Pennsylvania on February 3, 1928, the son of Henry T. and Eunice Clark McDonnell. He attended local schools, graduating from Villanova in 1953.

He began his career at Peat Marwick as a C.P.A in Philadelphia. In 1961 Jim joined the Pennsylvania Railroad as a controller. In 1970 he went to work for LeHigh Valley Railroad as V.P of Finance. In 1975 he joined Conrail as Chief General Claims Officer and in 1982 he worked for Marsh McLennan as a V.P. of Structured Settlement until he retired.

Jim visited Boothbay Harbor for many years with his companion Trophy Fredrick and they moved to Boothbay Harbor in the fall of 2007. He loved Boothbay Harbor especially his friends at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church and the YMCA. He was very grateful for the love he received in return from everyone in Boothbay Harbor.

Jim loved to play golf, travel, eat good food and drink good wine. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his wife Angela Linsalata McDonnell in 2001, and a son Clark David McDonnell in 1995.

Survivors include two sons: James McDonnell and his wife Susan and their two daughters Caroline and Sarah of Palo Alto, California, Paul McDonnell and his wife Penelope and their four sons Paul, Max, William and Nicholas all of Ridgefield, Connecticut, one sister, Ruth Curley of New Hope, Pennsylvania, and his companion Trophy Fredrick of Boothbay Harbor.

A memorial mass was held June 12 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Boothbay Harbor. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, June 20 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Neumann Roman Catholic Church in Bryn Marr, Pennsylvania. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home in Boothbay Harbor and Stretch Funeral Home in Havertown, Pennsylvania.

Jo Ann Cheney

Jo Ann "Jody" Cheney, 76, of Pittston, died early on the morning of June 15 at the Maine Medical Center, Portland Me. The daughter of Stanley and Helen (Butler) Buckler, she was born April 10, 1933, in Sharon, Connecticut. Jody’s mother died shortly after childbirth and she was raised by her Aunt Ella (Buckler) Erskine, wife of Dwight Erskine of Alna.

Jody was active for many years in the Order of the Eastern Star, holding many offices. A member of the "Red Hatters," she was also a longtime passionate member of the Newcastle-Alna Baptist Church, where she served as treasurer and trustee for many years and was active with the monthly food sale, which has been very successful, since its inception. She loved knitting, cooking and tending her flowers.

She was predeceased by her sister Helen French, brother John Buckler, and daughter Linda Pinkham, who has a son, Christopher Pinkham of Pittston, and his daughter Chrystal of Scarborough. Jody leaves her loving husband and best friend of 58 years, Calvin Cheney, of Pittston, two sons, Jack and wife Anita of Alna and their daughter Jessica Tillson and her daughter Arabella of Richmond, Paul and wife Tammy and son Joshua and daughter Sylivann all of Newcastle, half brothers, Douglas Erskine and family of Boise, Idaho, Jerald (Jed) Erskine and family of Snowflake, Arizona, Frank Buckler and family of St. Louis, Missouri, Edward Buckler and family of Centerville, Massachusetts, and her sister Betty Perry of Cotuit, Massachusetts. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

A service to honor Jody’s life will be 11a.m., Saturday, June 27 at the Newcastle-Alna Baptist Chu-rch, with Pastor Rick Newell officiating. She will be laid to rest, next to her daughter Linda, at the Alna Cemetery.

  If desired, donations may be made to the Newcastle-Alna Baptist Church, P/O Box 605, Alna, Maine 04535.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Strong Funeral Home and Cremation Center. 612 Main Street, Damariscotta.

Daniel Dolan Helinski, 20, of Pittston, died unexpectedly Monday, June 8 at his home. He was born in Lewiston on Jan., 18, 1989 a son of William A. and Gayle A. Hammond Helinski.

Daniel enjoyed maple syrup making, gardening and weight lifting. He was a member of the cross country team and a member of the track team participating in the 1 and 2 mile distances for the Gardiner Area High School track team.

He is survived by his mother, Gayle Helinski of Pittston, his father William Helinski of Boothbay Harbor, his older brother Benjamin Helinski of Pittston and younger sister Amanda Helinski of Pittston, maternal grandparents, George and Beatrice Hammond of Harrington, uncles and aunts, David and Gerry Gould of Hollis, Steve and Terri Reed of North Carolina, Chuck and Roberta Hammond of Columbia Falls, David and Wanda Hammond of Milbridge, Linda Hammond and Myron Spaulding of Bath and Starr Snyder of Texas, and numerous cousins.

Memorial services will be held Saturday June 13 at 3 p.m. at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave in Gardiner

The Reverend David Edward McGuire, 73, died on Monday, June 15^, following a brief illness. He was surrounded by his loving family who will all miss him dearly.

The son of Floyd and Henrietta McGuire, David is survived by his wife of 28 years, Helen Parks-McGuire. He is also survived by his brother Douglas, sister-in-law Nancy and his children: Robert McGuire and his wife Monica, Stewart McGuire and his wife Peggy, Andrew McGuire and his wife Dee, Beth Parks and her husband Pete Fincher, Melissa Parks and her husband Simon Platel, and Bill Parks and his wife Trish.

He adored his grandchildren Sean, Sarah, and Ryan McGuire; Renee Spear; Kimberly McGuire; Maggie and Abby McGuire; John Fincher; and Virginia and Ruby Platel. His little canine companion Maggie will miss his daily presence, as will his cat Ashley.

David was a 1958 graduate of Oberlin College with a degree in philosophy. He went on to earn his Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. Reverend McGuire was a former pastor of the First Westminster Presbyterian Church of Yonkers, New York. During his tenure in Yonkers, David was asked to go to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, as a representative of the Presbytery, to participate in a voter registration drive during the beginning of the civil rights movement. David continued his ministry as a pastoral psychotherapist, working for the Hudson River Counseling Service and the Foundation for Religion and Mental Health. He also served as the minister for the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Salt Point, New York for 12 years. Most recently, he served as the hospice chaplain for the New Milford Visiting Nurse Association. David was a member of the Connecticut Choral Society, Chaplain of the New Milford Rotary Club, Board member of the New Milford Homeless Shelter Coalition, Chairman for the Pastoral Care Committee at New Milford Hospital, and served on the Planetree Steering Committee at New Milford Hospital to create a more caring culture devoted to healing relationships that support holistic, patient-centered care.

David and his family had a summer home in Boothbay Harbor, affectionately known as "Piffi Biff." He delighted in sailing around the many islands in the Boothbay region. David and his wife also enjoyed winters at their home in St. Augustine, Florida.

Memorial contributions should be directed to the Valley Presbyterian Church in Brookfield, the New Milford Visiting Nurse Association Hospice Program or the New Milford Homeless Shelter Coalition.

A Memorial Service in celebration of David’s life will be on Saturday, June 20^, at 1 p.m. at Valley Presbyterian Church, 21 West Whisconier Road, Brookfield, Connecticut, followed by a reception at the church.

The family will receive friends at the church Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Alvina M. Taylor

Alvina Mae Taylor, 94, a lifetime resident of Webber Lane, died Tuesday, June 9 at the Gregory Wing in Boothbay Harbor after a long period of failing health.

Mrs. Taylor was born in Southport, September 19, 1914, the daughter of Lincoln Cameron and Annie Pearl Campbell Webber, and is a graduate of Southport schools and Boothbay Harbor High School.

She married Maurice W. Taylor, and they made their home in Southport.

She operated The Home Bakery during the summer months for many years. She also worked for Robinson’s Wharf and Rittall’s Boatyard gift shop, and was a member of the Southport United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Taylor enjoyed camping trips with her husband, and they were frequent visitors to Moody’s Diner.

She is predeceased by her beloved husband of 67 years, Maurice W. Taylor; a great-granddaughter, Kathryn Williamson; a brother, Edgar Webber; and two sisters, Helen Farnham and Elsie Brewer.

Survivors include: her daughter, Kathryn Lufkin and her husband Reverend James Lufkin of Bowdoin; three grandchildren, Cindy Lufkin of Bangor, Vikki Dimarco and her husband Anthony of Nashua, N.H., and Heidi Thompson and her husband John of Bangor; four great-grandchildren, Christopher Lehto of Trenton, Eric Thompson of Bangor, Juli Williamson of Nashua, N.H., and Jeffrey Thompson of Bangor.

A celebration of Mrs. Taylor’s life was held Monday, June, 15 at the Simmons Harrington and Hall Funeral Home, 975 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay. Interment will follow in Union Cemetery, Southport.

Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to the Gregory Wing Activities Fund, 145 Emery Lane, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538, Attn. Vivian Durgin in Mrs. Taylor’s memory.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Mildred L Stickney, who passed away on March 18, 2009, will be held June 27, at 11 a.m. at Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home, 975 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay. Pita VanVuuren will officiate.