People We've Lost
Linda C. Gray Harmon, Stephen Lee Somes, Ralph Benson Marshall, Jere Huston O'Rourke
Note: “People We’ve Lost” is a new feature of the Bar Harbor Story where we share obituaries of people that the island lost in the previous 1-2 weeks. We’re doing this because we think everyone deserves to be remembered. If you have an obituary for a loved one or friend that you can’t afford to place in other spaces, please let us know and we’ll share it here for you.
Linda C. Gray Harmon
Mount Desert Island
Linda C. Gray Harmon, 69, passed away unexpectedly on March 15, 2025. Linda was born on Mount Desert Island in 1955. She is survived by her twin sons of whom she was most proud, James (and Kate) and Jason (and Megan). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Dillan (and Abbie), Lucas (and Emily), Bryce, and Madisyn. Linda is also survived by her twin sister, Dorothy, and other sisters, Mary and Sheila; a brother, Carl, and their mother, Virginia Salisbury Gray. Linda was pre-deceased by her father Shirley Leon Gray, her sister Barbie, and the love of her life of 17 years, Fred Crowley.
Linda spent many years working diligently to set the example for her twin sons. She was a CNA for many years, a little league coach for her boys, she made wreaths, raked blueberries, and eventually graduated beauty school. Her greatest accomplishment was in how well she loved her family. She lit up when she saw Jason and James and made any visitor feel as though they were the most important person in the room. Her heart, quick wit and sense of humor will be greatly missed.
To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, for those who believe, and Linda believed. A celebration of life will be held in her honor in the near future.
Stephen Lee Somes
Somesville
Stephen Lee Somes, of Somesville, Maine, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2025, after a long battle with declining health.
Born on October 13, 1949, in Bar Harbor, Maine, Stephen was the third son of John and Norma Somes. During his junior year at Brewer High School, he worked up the courage to ask his classmate, Sara McCluskey, to the Junior Exhibition. That night sparked a lifelong love, and they remained devoted partners for over 60 years.
After graduating from Brewer High School in 1968, Stephen proudly served as a U.S. Navy Corpsman for eight years. Following his honorable discharge, he pursued a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology from the University of Maine while working nights to support his family. Though he built a career with MetLife Insurance, his true passions lay in preserving the history of Mount Desert Island, serving on the local historical society and library boards, and enjoying the great outdoors. Whether puttering around in his Gator with Sara or swimming in Long Pond, Stephen found joy in Maine’s natural beauty.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Sara, their children: Danielle Stoehr (Jonathan) of Bainbridge Island, WA; Andrew Somes (Lysa) of Gouldsboro, ME; and four cherished grandchildren: Madeleine, Jackson, Roxanne, and Abraham.
Among his children’s fondest memories was sailing down Somes Sound aboard their 22-foot boat, Tradition, as the sun set. Watching larger Hinckley yachts drift by, Stephen imparted a timeless lesson: “It doesn’t get any better than this, it just gets bigger.”
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the healthcare providers, Mount Desert Nursing Association, Christy Seeds, Pam Bourque and first responders who supported Stephen in his final years.
A private service will be held this summer in Somesville to honor his life and legacy.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com
Ralph Benson Marshall
Bernard
A Kind & Intelligent Man
Ralph Benson Marshall, 77, of Bernard, Maine, and Fort Myers, Fla., passed away peacefully on March 21, 2025, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
Born on May 1, 1947, in Bar Harbor, Maine, Ralph grew up along the rugged coast in Winter Harbor. From a young age, his curiosity and intellect set him apart. At just 14, he built his own ham radio and taught himself Morse code, a skill he continued to use until he entered memory care later in life. He also rowed his own boat by hand to lobster in the Atlantic Ocean, embodying the hardworking spirit of coastal Maine.
Ralph attended Sumner Memorial High School in Sullivan, Maine, where he was elected class president his senior year and graduated at the top of his class. He then pursued his passion for electrical engineering at the University of Maine, where he graduated first in his class and received the Electrical Engineering Highest Distinction Award.
His career took him to Maine’s paper industry, where he worked for over 25 years at Winslow Paper, Sappi Mill, and Scott Paper. His love for engineering and innovation led him around the world, from Saudi Arabia and Finland to Europe and Alaska. Ralph was known for his many inventions, including a circuit designed to identify enemy submarines during the 1960s and various golf-related patents, such as B-the-Ball.
Outside of work, Ralph found solace and adventure in the ocean. He loved sailing his sailboat and spending time between Lopaus Point and Sarasota, Fla., with his wife of 28 years, Maggie. High school sweethearts who rekindled their love many years later, Ralph and Maggie built a cabin together on the back side of Cold Stream Pond, where they exchanged vows on Sept. 29, 1996.
Ralph is predeceased by his mother, Marilyn, father Bowen, stepfather Ozzy Coombs, brother Bowen, and stepson Ross Eckenroad.
Surviving are his wife of 28 years, Madeleine "Maggie" Marshall of Fort Myers, Fla.; brothers David Coombs and Mike Coombs and wife Coral; and sister-in-law Racine Marshall, all of Maine. He is also survived by his sons Wayde Marshall of Westborough, Mass.; Dan Marshall of Flagstaff, Ariz.; and Dennis Marshall of Lowell, Maine, and Stuart, Fla. His stepdaughters Kim Nixon and husband Glenn of Cape Coral, Fla., and Klair Moshier and husband Scott of Fort Myers, Fla., also carry on his legacy. Ralph was deeply loved by several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who will always cherish the special memory of how he could put 6-12 lobsters to sleep all at once — a skill that continues to be a favorite family story.
A celebration of Ralph’s life will be held in Maine in September.
Education was incredibly important to Ralph, and in lieu of flowers, he requested that donations be made to the Ross I. Eckenroad Scholarship Fund for a graduating Sumner Memorial High School student. Contributions can be sent c/o Maine Community Foundation, 245 Main Street, Ellsworth, Maine 04605.
Ralph’s legacy of innovation, adventure, and love will live on in the hearts of all who knew and cherished him.
Jere Huston O'Rourke
Trenton
Jere Huston O'Rourke, 75, died in Bangor, on March 16, 2025, with his daughter by his side. He was born on February 14, 1950, the son of Joseph James O'Rourke and Sylivia Ambrose Huston.
Jere graduated from Ellsworth High School in 196,8 and then entered the U.S. Army serving his country with pride for 3 tours in the Vietnam War. After his tour he came back to Maine, where he and a couple of friends went clamming. In the mid-80s, he opened Dead End Gun Shop, where he repaired guns. He also supplied the Hancock County community with vital services that will be greatly missed. Jere loved the family camp on George's Pond. Jere loved to share tales of his past exploits and also watched low budget horror movies. He will be missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by four daughters, Shannon Moore of Portland, Amanda O'Rourke of Hancock, Maygen O'Rourke and husband, Chris, of Seal Cove, and Renee O'Rourke of Alaska; six grandchildren, Colby, Mya, Anna, Caitlyn, Gemma and Maddex; He was predeceased by his parents; sister, Josephine "Jody" O'Rourke; and close companions his whole life, Ralph Grindle and Chippy the Wonder Dog.
Friends are invited to visit from 1 to 3 p.m. April 5, 2025, at Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth, where military honors will be presented at 1:30 p.m. Condolences may be expressed at jordanfernald.com.