THE SPOTLIGHT IS ON: Paul W. Stacy (1893 – 1987)

 A lifelong resident of Porter, Maine, Paul Stacy was born April 1,1893 in Porter, son of Charles and Maude Watson Stacy. Paul graduated from Porter High School in 1908 and Bridgton Academy in 1911.  He married Jessie Merrifield on Feb. 23,1914 and they made their home on Summer Street. They had 5 children.  Unfortunately, three sons died before the age of 5. Their son, Dexter, survived but was bedridden all of his life and died at the age of 50 in 1965.  Their one daughter, Pauline, married George Gehrs of Falmouth and they had four children.

Paul served on the local school board of directors for 26 consecutive years and was its chairman for 20 years.  In 1917 he was elected town clerk of Porter and held the position for nine years, after which his wife Jessie served for more than 35 years.

In 1926, Mr. Stacy was elected to the Porter Board of Selectmen, serving until 1941.  He was re-elected to the Select Board in 1959 and served through 1983 - a total of 39 years.  One of the longest serving selectmen of the Town of Porter. He also served two terms (1938 – 1941) as a Republican member in the Maine House of Representatives.

Paul was a carpenter by trade and for 25 years he was foreman of the maintenance crew at the Kezar Falls Woolen Mill where he was in charge of many major construction projects.

Mr. Stacy was also active in several town organizations.  He served as chief of the Kezar Falls Fire Department for many years.  He was a member of the Saddleback Rod and Gun Club, a former member of the Knights of Pythias and the Costello Tribe No. 34 Improved Order of Red Men.  He was also a charter member of the Parsonsfield Porter Historical Society. Jean Stanley remembers Mr. Stacy well and said, “Paul believed strongly in public service.  He was gruff, opinionated, didn’t tolerate dissension, but he was also smart, with a dry sense of humor, and the well-being of Porter was center to his service.” Mrs. Stacy died in 1962 and Paul Stacy died at the age of 94 - Aug. 18, 1987. They are buried in the Kezar Falls Burial Grounds.

Part II NOVEMBER 11, 1918

 The eleventh hour, on the eleventh day, of the eleventh month of 1918

The following are more pictures of WWI Veteran’s.  These are but a few of those who served from Parsonsfield, Porter and South Hiram.   We would appreciate copies of any that are missing. If you have pictures please let us know.  

George Day

Frank Jock

Howard MacDonald

Owen Stacy

Archie Stanley

Samuel Watkins

Carroll West 

Kezar Falls, Maine American Legion

The American Legion Post at Kezar Falls Maine had been in existence for a few years by the time it received its permanent charter Oct. 25, 1929 – dated 1928. The post was named – The Carroll S. West Post, No. 123 in honor of Carroll S. West of Parsonsfield, the first soldier from this area to die in World War I.   It was dedicated in memory of: Carroll West, Alfred Goodwin, George Gray, Ralph Mason, Ralph Libby, Howard MacDonald and Roscoe Durgin.  

After World War II the name was changed to The West-Day Post to also honor Erwin L. Day of Porter, the first local soldier to die in World War II. 

The American Legion now honors and represents American veterans from all wars. Unfortunately, there have been many.