John Ellison Bradley, 59, of Boothbay, died Friday, December 3 at his home with his family after an extended illness.

Born in Bath, he was the son of Melville Greenlaw and Flora Olivia Hunnewell Bradley.

For 25 years, he was a self-employed builder, building new homes in the mid-coast region.

Mr. Bradley learned the trade from his Uncle Charles Bryer of Needham, Mass. He worked long hours learning the trade in great detail from one of the finest builders in Massachusetts.

His skills were not limited to carpentry. He was a skilled mechanic, plumber, electrician and mason. For over 15 years he was a Mason in the Masonic Temple in Bath.

With his wife, he built his first two residences in Woolwich. His final residence, an impeccably restored cape, on Commercial Street in Boothbay Harbor, reflected a lifetime of knowledge and dedication to building. His greatest love of all was his family. All of his lifelong efforts reflected his deep commitment to their well-being.

Survivors include his wife, Sue Bradley; two daughters, Elaine Bradley of Bath, and Lindsay Bradley of Boothbay Harbor; one son, Bruce Bradley of Framingham, Mass.; one brother, Edgar Bradley of North Windham, Conn.; one sister, Gert Baker of Woolwich; one aunt, Edna Giles of Boothbay; and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of his life was held on Wednesday, December 8 at Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home in Boothbay.

Donations may be made in his memory to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the UMass. Memorial Fund.

A. Howard "Howie" Davison, 82, of Edgecomb, died Thursday, December 2 at St. Andrews Hospital in Boothbay Harbor following a brief illness. Born May 21, 1917 in Brooklyn, New York, he was the eldest son of Estelle and Elmer Davison.

Mr. Davison grew up in Brooklyn and Larchmont, New York and summered at the family cottage in Round Pond. He attended Coburn Classical Institute in Waterville and returned to New York to graduate from Mamaroneck High School.

Mr. Davison returned to the Damariscotta area and opened his own record store. He was drafted in 1941 and served five years at various stateside military bases as a member of the Army's Signal Corps. He returned to Maine and in the early 1950s purchased the Merry Farm homestead on the River Road in Edgecomb.

In 1951 the Merry Barn opened for business and Mr. Davison turned it into the most popular nightspot in the mid-coast area. He hosted a wide variety of musical events including square dances, record hops, and live bands. He was well-known throughout Maine and New England for his calling and traveled to many town halls, including local island communities to provide an evening of dancing and entertainment.

After retiring from calling Mr. Davison dedicated over 20 years of volunteer service providing music programs and sing-a-longs for area nursing homes. His years were spent bringing enjoyment to others through music.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Hilton Davison of Edgecomb; one son, Hoard H. Davison of Bancroft; two daughters, Beth D. Weller of Falmouth, and Heather R. Webster of Norridgewock,; one brother, Elmer J. Davison of Round Pond; and five grandchildren.

A remembrance service in celebration of Mr. Davison's life was held on Sunday, December 5 at the Edgecomb Congregational Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to St. Andrews Hospital in Boothbay Harbor.

Fredece Littlefield Stoodley, 83, of Yarmouthport, Mass., died peacefully at home on December 2.

Born in Portland, she spent most of her adult life in Newton, Mass., Westwood, Mass., and Westport Island, Maine. After graduating from Bouve and Boston University with a degree in physical education, her teaching career spanned 40 years including Dean Academy, Windsor School, the Westwood and Newton public school systems and Lasalle Junior College. Preceding her retirement, she had been Director of Student Affairs at New England Baptist Hospital School of Nursing.

Mrs. Stoodley was the wife of the late Harry M. Stoodley Jr.

Survivors include two daughters, Noel Stoodley Gray of Yarmouthport, formerly of N. Kingstown, R.I., and Sheryl Stoodley of Northampton, Mass.; and four grandsons.

The memorial service will be held in Maine at the Westport Island Community Chapel on January 8, 2000 at 2 p.m. The service will be conducted by family and friends. It will be a time to mourn, share memories, see old friends, heal ourselves, sing and celebrate the life of a remarkably wonderful woman.

Instead of sending flowers, we ask that you take a friend to lunch or dinner and share life stories.

Memorial donations may be made to the Hospice Foundation of Cape Cod, 923 Rt. 6A, Yarmouthport, MA 02675. The Cremation Society of Mass., Harwich assisted the family with arrangements.