Raleigh N. O Blenes

Raleigh N. O'Blenes, 82, of Shapleigh, died May 28, 2006 after a long illness at the H.D. Goodall Hospital in Sanford.Mr. O'Blenes was born on August 7, 1923 in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, the son of Henry and Nancy (Estabrooks) O'Blenes, formerly of Swampscott, MA. He worked at the United Farmers Milk Co. for 21 years before moving to Shapleigh where he and his wife pursued a life-long love of raising, training and racing standardbred horses, competing throughout New England. Later, he worked as the custodian at Shapleigh Elementary School for more than 20 years. He had a great love of automobiles of any vintage, he enjoyed fixing them in his spare time.Mr. O'Blenes was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Constance O'Blenes.Surviving are a daughter, Pamela Berry, of Alfred; a son, R. Bradford O'Blenes of Sanford; a brother, Bob Peterson and his wife Carol of Glen, NH; his grandchildren, Robert Berry, Jr. of Shapleigh, Glen and Jennifer Berry of Draper, UT, Daniel and Patricia Berry of Bar Harbor, ME, Kelly Pullin of San Diego, CA, and Scott O'Blenes of Coos Bay, OR, as well as several great-grandchildren.A private service will be held later in the summer.Arrangements are through Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home in Springvale.Condolences may be expressed by using the tab to the left.