NORTH BERWICK - Wesley A. Ridlon, Jr, 79, better known as Junior Ridlon to those from the North Berwick area and Wes Ridlon to those who met him in other walks of life, passed away peacefully at the Gosnell Hospice House in Scarborough, Maine on Friday, May 27, 2022, after a period of failing health.
Junior was born April 1, 1943, the son of the late Wesley (Pete) Ridlon, Sr. and H. Ernestine (Eaton) Ridlon. A lifelong resident of North Berwick, until his move to Atria Kennebunk Assisted Living in the Fall of 2020, Junior was a 1962 graduate of North Berwick High School. Junior honorably served his country in the United States Air Force from 1963 to 1966, and in the reserves until 1969. He was a 50-year member of the Quint-Cheney Post of the American Legion in North Berwick.
Junior was predeceased by his beloved wife of 45 years, Linda D. (Austin) Ridlon, in December 2015.
Junior was a member of the Laborers Local 976 Union, working on various construction jobs including the construction of the Interstate 95 bridge between Maine and New Hampshire; and various utility constructions jobs from cross country electrical utility lines, natural gas, and more recently the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant. After his retirement, Junior worked part time seasonally, mowing for Tuckahoe Turf Farm in Berwick and plowing snow for the Town of North Berwick.
He is survived by his sister, Pat (Ridlon) Gard of Durham, NH, his brother, Tom Ridlon of North Berwick, and his nephew, Michael Ridlon-Gard of North Berwick. He is also survived by members of his late wife’s family; brothers-in-law Albert Austin of Dania, FL, Frank Austin, Jr. of Springvale, and David Austin of Augusta; sisters-in-law Bonnie (Austin) Best and Debra (Greene) Austin, both of North Berwick; and several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, May 31st , from 4-6 p.m., at the Johnson Funeral Home, 26 Market Street, North Berwick, with a funeral service immediately following at 6 p.m. Interment will be at the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Springvale at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to the Johnson Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed at www.JohnsonFuneralHomeME.com.
Junior avoided letting it show too much, but he had a big heart and was generous to local charities. For many years he and his wife donated for the purchase of toys for local families in need at Christmas; and often Junior would shop for additional toys himself. As such, memorial donations can be made in his name to the Town of North Berwick Christmas Project,, P.O. Box 312, No. Berwick, ME 03906
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