Ronald Edward Nevison

Ronald Edward Nevison, 84, of Lebanon and previously of Springvale, ME passed away peacefully from the result of incurable cancer on December 4, 2025, at home with his daughter who he was grateful to have the last several months as his private nurse by his side. 

He was a dedicated and loving husband and father, and a master of the earth-moving equipment that defined his life’s work.

Ron was born in Sanford, and raised in Lebanon, Maine. He inherited a strong work ethic and an early fascination with heavy machinery. This interest shaped a formidable career spanning over 50 plus years as a respected heavy equipment owner/operator. He spent his career skillfully handling dozers, loaders, backhoes, and dump trucks playing a vital role in constructing the roads, foundations, and landscapes that shape our local communities.

Ron graduated from Sanford High School in 1959 and began his career driving trailer truck for Lavalley Lumber before starting his own business Nevison and Son Excavation Company. He was known for dangerously digging with his backhoe under many of the camps at Mousam Lake in preparation of constructing foundations. He spent many winters snowplowing for the Town of Lebanon on some of the toughest hills with his iconic orange Oshkosh snowplow. A remarkable sight as the V-plow and wings stretched the entire width of the road conquering the snow with just one pass. He finished out his career by subcontracting and driving his own triaxle dump truck for Foglio Inc and Dearborn Construction in Southern Maine.

His work ethic was matched only by his dedication to his family.

When the never-ending workday quieted down, Ron traded grease, dirt piles, and tools and took interest in his children’s activities. Quite often at the end of the day he could be seen pulling in with a piece of equipment in hopes to catch one of his children’s sports games. Ron also enjoyed classic cars, attended car shows, watching Nascar, hunting, snowmobiling, and going to breakfast on the weekends with the guys to catch up on the local happenings. As a father he taught the value of honest work, the importance of speaking up especially at the parts store - “Did you tell them who you are, did you tell them you are Ron Nevison’s kid?” to make sure to get the contractor’s discount, and how to fix almost anything with grit and determination.

In his most recents years of retirement, Ron enjoyed staying connected with his lifelong friends through visits or frequent phone calls. He returned to a hobby of reloading bullets in which he took pride in showing off his final product to anyone who would take interest. Despite Ron’s declining health and inability to get out as much as he wished he still wanted to hear about his family’s day. Daily check-ins were necessary with his children. He faithfully called his son in the morning to check out the daily activities of his campground business, discussing the weather and local news. At 7:50 pm sharp he called his daughter to find out how her work day went, complained how she needed to fix his phone again because he pushed the wrong button or two and it wasn’t working right, chatted about what wild life (deer, turkeys, fox) he had seen out the window, and that his cats abandoned him to go off and sleep all day. He gave himself just enough time to talk until some of his shows started such as Gold Rush and Oak Island (he was really hoping they would find the hidden treasure). He followed the Patriots, Connecticut Girls Basketball, Indiana Fever, and most recently Cooper Flagg. He was a proud grandpa and treasured the time he spent with his grandson including showing the art of reloading ammunition and having discussions of mutual interest such as racing, old cars and construction equipment. 

Ronald is survived by his devoted and beloved wife of 56 years, Geraldine Letourneau Nevison; his son, Shane Nevison, and daughter-in-law, Sonya, alongside his cherished grandson, Cole, all residing in Lebanon, ME; his daughter, Tara Nevison of Lebanon, ME, and her partner, Kevin Drew, and his son, Kevin Jr., both of Dover, NH.

He leaves behind his adored cats, Truck and Trailer, who were a constant source of joy and comfort to him the past 15 years.

He also is survived by his extended family which includes his sister-n-law, Gayle Farnsworth, and her husband, Douglas, of Sanford, ME, together with their daughters, Shannon Bianco, also of Sanford, ME, and Suzanne Farnsworth of Arundel, ME; his brother-n-law, Joseph Edmond Letourneau, and his sons, Guy Letourneau of Raymond, ME and Jason Letourneau, who currently resides in the Netherlands. Additionally, his nephew, Douglas Nevison of Shapleigh, ME. 

He is predeceased by his parents, Edward, and Barbara Howe Nevison; and brother, Richard Nevison. 

A celebration of life will take place-in the near future. A private burial will take place in the Spring. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ronald’s memory to the Lebanon Fire Department.

He built a solid foundation for his family and his community, and his legacy of hard work, sacrifice, and at time’s stubbornness will continue to move the earth in our hearts forever. 

The following poem“Ode To The Earthmover” by Rita Bates is a true reflection of Ron’s life…it reads 

Ode To The Earthmover

The bucket burrowed deep in the rich black dirt. Beads of sweat glistened on the man's muscles as he pulled the steering levers. He watched the bucket raise high into the air and empty into the truck. The rumble in his stomach told him it must be near noon. He pulled out his pocket watch and check the time. He raised his hand to signal the two men working nearby as he jumped from the tracks of his machine into the fresh earth. He lifted his hat and ran his hand through his hair. "Gonna be a hot one today," he told the two men walking towards him.

Who is this man? He's an earthmover. The small time excavating contractor. He is a different breed. He likes a drink and talks about equipment. He looks when a pretty woman walks by and talks about equipment. He lives, breathes, eats, and sleeps his machinery. He may never be rich, but he can say, "I did it my way." 

Many big excavating contractors across this country have larger, better equipment, and do bigger work. But thank God for the small guy. Without him, who would dig our cellars, put in driveways and small roads, dig ponds, septics, swimming pools, drains in the fields, and the list goes on.

He's not afraid to jump off a bulldozer, grab a hand shovel and start digging. He'll cut a tree that stands in his way. He waits for no one. His only thoughts get the job done and move on to the next one. You can see him moving machinery late at night or before dawn. He's no eight to five man. He sometimes works half the night repairing a piece of equipment so his men can be on the job first thing in the morning. Lucky the wife who can find him when her child is being born. Lucky the excavator that finds the wife who understands his needs. He is a man with a passion.

He receives very little recognition. He blasts and digs a cellar, then puts a driveway in where once stood a mound of rock. A builder comes and builds a house. The excavator puts drains and a swale in a field that at one time was a swamp. The landscaper sows seed and rakes. When a buyer comes along, they say, "What a beautiful house and lawn!" Who ever sees the job the bulldozer operator does? To the layman his work is covered. 

If the small excavating contractor makes a thousand dollars, nine hundred goes to meet his payroll, taxes, insurance , medical, telephone, fuel, tires, and parts for breakdowns. He must feed and clothe his family and worry about the new bottom his machine needs next winter. As you can see, not many small excavating contractors become millionaires.

He is a man of his word. You may find he swears and talks rough. He looks as tough as the calluses on his hands. But you will find his heart as soft as the dirt he digs. Ask one of these men for a favor and they will move heaven and earth to do it. Jeans and faded shirts are their uniform. They are men among men; they change the face of the earth.

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