Maurice M. Peaslee

Maurice Michaud "Pete" Peaslee, 85, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Dec 12, 2017 in his home in Scarborough, Maine, two weeks shy of his 86th birthday. He was born in Winslow, Maine on December 26, 1931 to Wesley Alton Peaslee and Amanda Michaud Peaslee, the fifth of seven children.Maurice moved to the Ferry Village neighborhood of South Portland at an early age, and learned many skills from a variety of teachers, not all of them in traditional settings. He sparingly attended Henley Elementary and Mahoney Junior High Schools, but formal schooling did not hold his attention. By the time he was thirteen, Maurice had made his way across the country, hitchhiking and hopping trains while he worked in the circus, on ranches, in restaurants, or wherever there was a hot meal and shelter. He returned to Maine several times, and on Christmas Day 1951 he was inducted into the US Army.Maurice found his calling as an Infantryman, serving twenty-three years, including multiple combat tours in both Korea and Vietnam. He rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class, never desiring anything higher than that, as he felt his best service to the Army was as a platoon sergeant. His valorous awards included a Silver Star, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and six Purple Hearts. By any and all measures, he was a veritable war hero, but never looked at himself that way. He always considered his greatest wartime achievement to be the fact that all of his men went home alive, despite serving in a continuous combat environment.After retiring from military service, Maurice spent his days as a carpenter and master craftsman. He was as a true artisan with his hands and creativity, extremely adept as a painter (both kinds), sculptor, mechanic, cabinet maker, electrician, plumber, auto body worker, leather smith, wood worker, or welder. He built his own home, rebuilt his own vehicles, and crafted beautiful furniture and cabinetry. Generous with his time and assistance - almost to a fault - he seldom hesitated to lend others a hand, as long as they were willing to put in their own effort. It was not uncommon for Maurice to help a stranger load wood onto a truck at a lumber yard, just because it appeared the man was not used to doing this sort of task on his own.All throughout both his military career and his civilian life, Maurice devoted whatever time was available to his family. He was introduced to his future wife, Akiko Kizaki, while stationed in Sendai, Japan in the mid-1950's. Together, they raised five children, moving around the United States (Washington, Maine, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri), Germany and Japan. Maurice ensured that his children got the most out of each learning situation, whether that was formal schooling or the opportunities that life presented. While he was not inclined to overindulge his kids, it was not unusual for him to work several extra jobs to provide the life for his family that he had never known growing up.Maurice Peaslee is predeceased by his parents, his sons James Peaslee and Calvin Snyder, and his siblings Lucille Virginia Cloutier, Paul Peaslee, Ralph Peaslee, Thomas Peaslee, and Gloria Lawson.He is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Akiko Kizaki "Betty" Peaslee of Scarborough, son Steven Peaslee (Vicki) of Alexandria, LA, daughters Susan Peaslee and Amanda Odlin (Chris) of Scarborough, and son Wesley Peaslee (Denise) of Alexandria, LA. Grandchildren are Jeremy Puckett, Jessie Puckett, Samantha Brown, Katie Peaslee, Christie Peaslee, Marie Peaslee, Lydia Odlin, Maya Odlin, Abby Peaslee, and Beth Peaslee. Great-grandchildren are Brianna Puckett, Alyssa Puckett, and Malaki McGrane. Maurice leaves behind many nieces and nephews - special among them are Andrew and Pete Cloutier of South Portland, and Jeff Peaslee of Industry, Maine.Per Maurice's wishes, there will be no funeral or other memorial ceremony. His ashes will be interred at the Veterans' Cemetery in Springvale, Maine sometime after the spring thaw, in a private ceremony. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to any of the following charities in remembrance of Maurice: Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Salvation Army, Boys Town, American Lung Association, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, or any charity that you feel strongly about.Arrangements are under the direction of the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale.Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com