Clayton O. Patrick

WOODLAND - Clayton Ora Patrick, 93, died October 17, 2022, in Presque Isle after a period of declining health.

Clayton was born in Floral Park, NY, on March 28, 1929, to Ora George Patrick and Gertrude (Corey) Greenlaw.

As a boy, Clayton moved around a lot, growing up in Vermont and southern Maine.  In 1948, after graduating from Auburn High School, Clayton and a buddy made their way to Aroostook County to pick potatoes and make a “fast buck”.   They moved in with Levi Landeen and worked on different farms in the area.  Due to Clayton’s hard-working nature and innate kindness, he became quite popular with several area farming families.  One farming family that Clayton became particularly close to were the Ericksons.  Clayton married his best friend, Irene Erickson, on November 22, 1950, and never left the area.

Together Irene and Clayton raised two children and farmed potatoes in Woodland.  Irene and Clayton still planted potatoes well into their late 70s and operated one of the last remaining hand crews in Aroostook County. Many kids over many years will recall picking potatoes for them.

Clayton was a devoted and active member of Gustaf Adolph Lutheran Church in New Sweden.  For decades Irene and Clayton quietly volunteered their time distributing food through a local food bank to those in need.

Irene was a renowned cook known in the area for her baked goods.  After she became ill Clayton took up the reins.  Those who had the privilege of having some of his fudge or one of his apple pies would attest that the old farmer became quite the baker himself.

In later years before his eyes failed him, Clayton enjoyed woodworking and converting old family films to DVD.  Clayton was happiest spending time with his large extended family at birthday parties and holidays (and of course recording the events).

Clayton was predeceased by his parents, his loving wife Irene whom he diligently took care of for many years prior to her passing, his son Duane, sisters Mary O’Connor and Geraldine Chartrand, and a special niece Jasmine Miller.

Clayton is survived by his daughter Carmen of Bangor, his sister Grace Francis of California, sisters-in-law Janet Erickson of New Sweden and Patsy (Richard) Bechtel of Caribou.

He will be sadly missed and remembered by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and friends (such as Tony Patterson, Alan Landeen, and the Margesons). In recent years Clayton found great joy spending time with his great niece Katherine Irene Bechtel, and great nephews, Jack and Ethan Patrick Bechtel.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday October 30, 2022, at Gustaf Adolph Lutheran Church, New Sweden, with Fr. Robert Smith, officiating.   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Clayton’s memory to the G.A. Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 54, New Sweden, ME 04762 or a charity of one’s choice.