Charles Drown

Charles E. Drown, 90, a lifelong resident of Alfred, died August 17 at the Goodall Hospital in Sanford after a long illness.He was born in Alfred on June 10, 1917, the son of Charles Ozro and Gertrude (Raymond) Drown, attended school in Alfred and was a graduate of the former Alfred High School.Mr. Drown was an army veteran of World War II, having participated in the D-Day invasion. He was wounded during the war and was the recipient of two Purple Hearts.He had been employed with American Cyanamid in Sanford and then with Wasco Products from where he retired some years ago.Charles and his late wife Madelene owned and operated Maddie's Market which was a roadside vegetable stand on Route 111 in Alfred. They sold produce there which they grew in their extensive gardens.Mr. Drown was a tinkerer. He maintained a workshop and always had something under repair. Some of his "fixes" were interesting to say the least in manner of engineering and execution.Never one to take life too seriously, he was quite the jokester and loved his donuts and steamed hotdogs. He enjoyed baseball, NASCAR, fishing and riding his lawnmower. He cherished time spent with his grandchildren and was devoted to his pets, especially his beloved dog Buddy who died 3 days before he did.His wife, the former Madelene Wormwood, died in 1994.Survivors include 2 daughters, Glorene Ellis and her husband David of Old Town, Charlene Demarett and her husband Raymond of Alfred, grandson Derek Welch, his daughter Julia Welch and his fiance Shannon Payeur of Alfred, grandson Todd Drown of Old Town, granddaughter Nicole Drown of Buxton, granddaughter Heather Smith, her husband Nathan and their children Garrett and Mackenzie of Grantham, NH, nephew Raymond Drown and his wife Barbara of Alfred, nieces Kay Meyerhoff and her husband Lester of Shapleigh, Candy Welch and her husband Russell of Arundel, Georgia MacDonald and her husband John of Dover, NH, sisters in law Helen Drown of Sanford, Charlotte Wormwood of Kennebunk, many great nieces, nephews, great great nieces and nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends.Relatives and friends are invited to call on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale, where a celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday at 1:00 PM. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in Alfred.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Animal Welfare Society, P. O. Box 32, W. Kennebunk, ME 04904. To leave the family a note of condolence, please visit click on the Condolences tab at left.