People We've Lost

James "Jimmy" A. Nolan, Lilah Irene Smith, Leonard E. “Skip” Young, Eleanor B. Greenlaw, William Hobart Buchanan, Jr.

Apr 27, 2025

Note: “People We’ve Lost” is a 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.

James "Jimmy" A. Nolan

Northeast Harbor

James "Jimmy" A. Nolan, 74, died April 19, 2025, at NL Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor. He was born on December 24, 1950, the son of James N. and Nancy (Grindle) Nolan.

Jimmy graduated from Mount Desert Island High School in 1970. He met Joelle Brown through mutual friends in 1975, they married in 1977 at Jimmy's grandparents "camp" in Trenton. After working for W. A. Stanley for several years, Jimmy started his own electrical contractor business and enjoyed a successful career as a master electrician for more than 40 years. He was meticulous with his work and was often complemented on the quality and consistency. Jimmy was a member of Mason Lodge #208 A.F. & A.M. of Northeast Harbor for more than 40 years and master for several years. He was a member of the Anah Shrine and past member of the Mount Desert Lions Club.

Jimmy always had a fondness for Molasses Pond in Eastbrook, where, as a youngster, he spent several summers with his family. In 1989 he and Joelle bought a camp at Molasses Pond and spent the next 33 years enjoying all four seasons there with family, pets, and friends. Jimmy especially loved ice fishing, and hunting camp with his brother, Bob, and best friend, Ernest. Camping was also a favorite hobby: from tents to Class A motor homes, he took pleasure in all. His bean-hole-beans brought many a visitor to his campsites. After retirement, he and Joelle made several trips to Florida as snowbirds, often encountering a snowstorm on the way. Jimmy will always be remembered for his larger than life personality and his love of food.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Joelle (Brown) Nolan of Northeast Harbor; son, Robert A. Nolan and wife, Ellen, of Bar Harbor; daughter, Carrie Jane Nolan and partner, Matthew Fronczak, of Trenton; daughter, Emily Damon of Mount Desert; grandchildren, Megan Nolan and partner, Colin Bobick, Conrad Strout and wife, Brianna, Lulu Damon Dong, Delilah Damon Dong, and Kane Nolan Fronczak; brother, Robert V. Nolan of Bar Harbor; sisters, Marjorie "Mardie" Nolan and Stacey Gilfillan and husband, Michael, all of Bar Harbor; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A celebration of life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Nolan residence, 34 Summit Rd., Northeast Harbor. Gifts in Jimmy's memory may be given to Mount Desert Nursing Service, P.O. Box 397, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662 or Northeast Harbor Library, P.O. Box 279, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662. Condolences may be expressed at acadiacremation.com.

Lilah Irene Smith

Trenton

Lilah Irene Smith, age 88 of Trenton, ME, and Southgate, MI, passed away on October 26, 2024. She was the beloved wife to her husband, Merlyn, of 68 years.

Loving mom to Richard Smith, Merlyn (Judy) Smith, Dawn (Phil) Bojda, Robert Smith, and Merlene (Mike) Vasher. Cherished grandma to 23 grandchildren, great-grandma to 48 great-grandchildren; great-great grandma to 8 great-great grandchildren.

Sadly, she was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Rose Vincent and her granddaughter, Bridgett Hanley. She was also well loved by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other family members and friends.

She will be deeply missed.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 AM on May, 6, 2025 at Captain Anderson Cemetery, 1043 Bayside Rd., Trenton.

Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.

Leonard E. “Skip” Young

Bar Harbor

Leonard E. “Skip” Young III passed away on April 22, 2025, in Miami, Fla., after suffering a massive stroke at home in Grassy Key.

He was a commercial fisherman. He had his lobster license from the age of 9. He went on to dragging for fish and shrimp out of Bar Harbor and Portland. His sons and daughter worked on the boats with him.

Skip is survived by Juanita, his wife of 60 years, Lenny (Ann), Bruce (Kara), and Stephanie; grandchildren Drew, Caleb, and Libby Joan; brother Robin (Lisha); nephew John; special friends Robert, Diana, and Cameron Abbot.

We will be having a gathering of family and friends at the house on May 14 from 4-7 p.m.

Eleanor B. Greenlaw

Seal Cove

Eleanor B. Greenlaw died peacefully in her sleep on Dec. 26, 2024, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s at Brewer Rehabilitation Center. She was born Nov. 15, 1928, in Tremont, to Earl and Lyllis Farley.

Eleanor married the love of her life, Frederick E. Butler, and together they settled in Seal Cove. They were married for 58 years before his passing. During those years, Eleanor became the first woman dumptruck driver in the state of Maine. She worked on road projects in Tremont, Amherst and the Ellsworth short street project. She also worked at Underwood sardine factory. Eleanor and Fred eventually opened their own crab shop in Seal Cove, and she picked countless pounds of crabmeat for Gail and Snicker Damon's fish market in Bar Harbor. Later, she enjoyed clamming, her flower garden, and church.

Eleanor is survived by her children, Jean Crockett of Ellsworth, Tim Butler and wife Nancy of Seal Cove, Tom Butler and wife Debbie of Machias, Pam Cleaves and husband David of Bar Harbor, Vivian Chambers and husband David of Seal Cove, Allison Ingalls and husband Dean of Seal Cove, and stepdaughters Wendy Greenlaw and Debbie Mayo. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her children and grandchildren, she is survived by her sisters, Edith Closson, Marcia Beal, and Earlene Kelley, and brother Tom Farley, many nieces and nephews, and two very special friends, Gloria Higgins and Gail Damon.

Preceding Eleanor in death were her husband Frederick (Bubba) Butler, and her second husband, Virgil Greenlaw; her sisters, Vivian and Margaret Farley, and her brothers Albert and Elwell Farley.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer's Association, 383 US-1 #2C, Scarborough, Maine 04074, or an animal shelter of your choice.

A celebration of life will occur May 17 at 11 p.m. at the Head of the Harbor Church (Tremont Congregational Church) in Tremont.

William Hobart Buchanan, Jr.

Southwest Harbor

William Hobart Buchanan, Jr., known to many as “Bill,” passed away peacefully on April 21, 2025, at the age of 87. He was born July 2, 1937, in Summit, New Jersey and is predeceased by his parents, Margaret Rolfs Buchanan and William Hobart Buchanan, and his sister, Lynnette Buchanan Bennett.

Bill was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend. His quick wit, infectious laugh, and playful sense of humor brought joy to all who knew him. A lifelong athlete, he was passionate about tennis and paddle tennis, playing avidly in New Canaan, CT; Southwest Harbor, ME; and Naples, FL. His warmth, kindness, and loyalty made him beloved by friends and colleagues around the world. Many recall his deep love of life and fondness for travel, especially to Paris, a city he adored and where he once lived as a newlywed with his wife Ellie while working at the law firm Shearman & Sterling. Fluent in French, Bill embraced French culture with enthusiasm.

He attended Short Hills Country Day School and Pingry School in New Jersey before graduating from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs in 1959 and Harvard Law School in 1963. Bill was especially proud of his service in the U.S. Marine Corps. He loved being an Eagle Scout and was selected to appear on the TV quiz show Name That Tune.

Professionally, Bill built a distinguished career in law and corporate leadership. Following his time at Shearman & Sterling, he served as General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, and Senior Vice President of the Reuben H. Donnelley Corporation. He was then promoted to Associate General Counsel, Vice President and Corporate Secretary, and Vice President Law at the Dun & Bradstreet Corporation.

Bill was deeply committed to community service and held numerous leadership positions, including Princeton University Alumni Council and as class president and treasurer. He served on the boards of the Princeton Club of New York and Southwest Florida; Greater Naples Leadership; Collier Senior Center; American Society of Corporate Secretaries; and ABC House in New Canaan. As chairman of the Friends of the Library of Collier County, he established the Nick Linn Lecture Series. A founding member and trustee of Naples Community Church, Bill’s faith and dedication to community remained central throughout his life.

Bill was a longtime member of the New York St. Andrew’s Society where he served annually as Captain of the Color Guard. He loved his membership in the wine group, La Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin. Summers in Southwest Harbor, Maine were cherished and where he was active in several organizations, including Friends of Acadia, the Pot and Kettle Club, and the Causeway Club, where he served as treasurer. Other club memberships included Royal Poinciana, Grey Oaks, the Port Royal Club, and the New Canaan Field Club.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Eleanor Ames Lincoln Buchanan of Naples, FL; his two daughters, Diana Ames Buchanan Reynolds (Richard Roland Reynolds) of Alexandria, VA, and Jessica Ray Buchanan Sapp (Benjamin Cullifer Pickens Sapp) of Charleston, SC; his sister Wendy Buchanan Merrill of Denver, CO; and three grandchildren, India Ames Reynolds and Hobart Samuel Reynolds of Alexandria, VA, and William Buchanan Rawlins of Charleston, SC, along with many nieces and nephews.

The family is grateful for all the caregivers at Moorings Park who provided support and loving care for Bill. A celebration of life will be held on May 31, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., Bower Chapel, Moorings Park Dr, Naples, FL.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Naples Community Church, Collier Senior Center, or Friends of Acadia.

Share Bar Harbor Story