Thomas Gerald Calder

AUBURN — Thomas Gerald Calder died Sept. 20 at Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn. He was born in Sommerville, Mass., Oct. 9, 1926, to Edmond and Mina Diffin Calder. When he was still a young child they moved to Robinston, and that is where Juddy grew up and attended school.

In November 1943 he falsified his date of birth and with his father’s blessing enlisted in the U.S. Navy. This was after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and Juddy was deployed to the South Pacific, where he served on PT boats and saw action in the Solomons, New Hebrides, Okinawa, Guadalcanal and Bouganville. He received an honorable discharge as gunner’s mate, third class, April 17, 1946. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Campaign medal, the American Campaign medal, the World War II medal and the Bronze Star.

Juddy was a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

In 1970, Juddy met Wanda Phillips Ferguson. They were married on July 17, 1970. That marriage lasted until his death.

After military service, Juddy held a number of jobs, both in Portland and in Auburn, mainly in metal fabrication. In the early ’70s he opened a furniture stripping and refinishing shop on Route 4 in Turner where he sold antiques and furniture. After selling that business he returned to working part-time in McCann’s Fabrication Shop in New Gloucester, where he formed many rewarding, long-term, friendships.

Freemasonery was an important part of Juddy’s life. He became a member of Tranquil Lodge 29 in Auburn in 1979 and in 1988 served as master of that Lodge. In 1990, he was selected to serve as district deputy grand master for the 23rd District. He was an honorary lifetime member of Cumberland Lodge 12 in New Gloucester. Since moving to New Portland, he had been active in Lodges in the area, helping with ritual work and installations. While living in Turner, Juddy was active in the Kora Shrine and was a member of the Kora Highlanders, where he played the snare drum in the bagpipe band.

From the time he was a little boy fishing in the trout streams of Washington County, Juddy has loved the sport of fishing. He traveled around Maine, to Canada and to Lake Erie, but his favorite spot was at his camp on East Carry Pond. Juddy enjoyed the outdoors, including hunting, camping and boating. But most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his friends, family and acquaintances, and he reached out with empathy and understanding in times of trouble.

Juddy was predeceased by his parents and by brothers Steve Calder, Aldon Calder, Merrill Calder and Ray Calder.

Survivors include Wanda, his wife of 48 years; children, Judith Estes and husband, Christopher, Stephen Calder, Thomas Calder Jr. and wife, Mary, all of Portland, and Cristen Calder Dilworth and husband, Thomas, of Falmouth. There are nine grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service for friends and family, with Masonic Rites, will be held at a future date to celebrate the life of Juddy Calder. In lieu of flowers, Juddy requests that donations be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104, shrinershospitalforchildren.org.