Kenneth L. Dorman

Kenneth L. Dorman, 95, of Acton, Maine died December 13 after a period of failing health.Born at home in Salem, Mass. on November 14, 1910, he was the only son of Arthur W. and Bessie (Libby) Dorman.He was educated in the Salem schools, he graduated from Salem High School in 1928, where he was awarded the medal for history. He prepared for M.I.T. at Chauncey Hall, and after 3 years at M.I.T., he transferred to Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine for 2 years where he received a B.S. in chemistry in 1935. He then returned to M.I.T. where he earned a B.S. in chemical engineering in 1936. He was a member of the American Chemical Society and the Drysalters Club.He married Marian Dowst at the Tabernacle Church in Salem on October 15, 1938. They celebrated their 67th anniversary in October 2005.After working for chemical companies in New Jersey and Massachusetts, he came to Sanford in 1952 as chief chemist at the Goodall-Sanford Textile Mills. The family settled in Springvale. When the mills closed in 1954, he went to E. Providence, RI as manager of Industrial Dyestuff Company, a family owned business.After he retired, he bought a wood lot in Acton and restored the farmhouse and the family moved there in 1961. He took up farming, encouraged and coached by his next-door neighbor, Burt Whitehouse. The soil was especially good for raising potatoes, and his bushel of Kennebecs won blue ribbons every year he entered them in the Acton Fair and in the Rochester Fair. For many years, he was superintendent of the agricultural building at the Acton Fair where he was easily recognized by the large-brimmed straw hat he wore. He was interested in genealogy, and after retirement, traced the Dorman family back to the Doomsday Book. He was a life member and former director of the Libby Family Association that meets at the Black Point Church in Scarborough on the 4th Saturday of September every year. He was a former member and past president of the Acton-Shapleigh Historical Society. He was a former member of the East Providence, RI and the Sanford-Springvale Rotary Clubs where he was a Paul Harris Fellow.He belonged to all the bodies in both the York Rite and the Scottish Rite of the Masons, and the Kora Temple Shrine in Lewiston. He was a life member of Starr King Lodge AF & AM and Washington Royal Arch Chapter in Salem, MA. In Maine, he was a member of Springvale Lodge #190 AF & AM and was secretary for many years until his sight failed. His 68th Masonic Birthday was observed in both Starr King Lodge and in Springvale Lodge in November 2005. He was a past commander of Bethany Commandery Knights Templar in Sanford which later joined St. Amand Commandery Knights Templar in W. Kennebunk. He was a past illustrious master of Maine Council #7, Royal and Select Masters, in Saco and a member of the Chalcedon Conclave #5 Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine in Saco. He was a member of the York County Shrine Club and was secretary of the Pioneer Scottish Rite Club under 17 presidents. He was a member of Dirigo York Rite College #103 and Pine Cone Council #31 Knight Masons. He was awarded the medal of honor of the Grand Commandery of Maine in 1992, and the Purple Cross in Grand Rapids, MI in 1998 by the York Rite Sovereign College.He leaves his wife of 67 years, Marian, and 2 daughters, Judith Moulton and her husband David of Burke, VA, Priscilla Kirby of Natick, MA, 5 grandchildren, Susan Brown, Nancy Doran, Scott Moulton, Gregory Kirby and Christopher Kirby, 2 great grandchildren, Christopher Brown and Cassidy Brown.If desired, contributions in his name may be made to the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. c/o Millard Tripp, 147 Buxton Road, Saco, ME 04072.A memorial service will be held in the spring at the Carll - Heald & Black Funeral Home 580 Main Street, Springvale, Maine. Condolences may be expressed at the tab at left.