Leonard D. Whittier

Leonard D. Whittier, 82, of Springvale, passed away on November 15 at the Newton Center in Sanford.He was born in Lincoln on April 5, 1924, the son of Allen and Annie (Lancaster) Whittier.A graduate of Mattanawcook Academy in Lincoln, he earned a B.A. degree in English from the University of Maine at Orono, an M.A. degree from Syracuse University and did more post-graduate work at the University of New Hampshire and Tufts University. Throughout these years he was active in the theater, and for several years he judged the high school regional and state 1-act play contests.He taught high school in Lincoln, Cape Elizabeth and Sanford. For 27 years thereafter, he was an Associate Professor of English and Director of Theater at the former Nasson College in Springvale.He served on the boards of the Sanford Maine Stage Company and the Louis B. Goodall Library. He also worked as a volunteer at the H. D. Goodall Hospital for several years.Oil painting was something he enjoyed, taking lessons from Cal Wilson. He also enjoyed gardening, reading and theater.His wife, Lois (Belyea) Whittier, died in 1995.Survivors include 2 daughters, Lisa A. Whittier of Augusta, Susan W. Oakland, her husband Paul and their daughter Samantha of Dresden, and a brother, Alfred Whittier and his wife Florentine of Lincoln.A committal service will be held on Monday at 1:30 PM at Oakdale Cemetery in Sanford, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 PM at the North Parish Congregational Church, with the Rev. Carleton Gunn officiating.Those who are planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Springvale Public Library, 443 Main Street, Springvale, ME 04083 or the Deacon's Fund at North Parish Congregational Church, 893 Main Street, Sanford, ME 04073.Arrangements are under the direction of the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale. To send the family a message of condolence, please use the Condolences tab at left.