Ervin Sumner Bridges Jr.

Ervin Sumner Bridges Jr, 85, passed away on March 15th. 2022 after a long bout with cancer that forced him to pack up his pole and look for better fishing.

Ervin was born in Corea, Maine to Irving and Floris Bridges where he developed his love for all things Maine, especially the coast and the hardworking lobstering community. He never lost touch with his roots or his downeast accent.

He graduated from Sumner High School in Gouldsboro, Maine and soon after that joined the U. S. Air Force where he was stationed at Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.  After the service he worked for N.H. Bragg and Prime Tanning until he retired in 1995.

Ervin had a wonderful and soothing singing voice, and while he never wanted to be in the spotlight, he mesmerized everyone who heard him. He also was a talented woodworker, artist and painter and everyone has a piece of his furniture that he made with love or a drawing or a painting. He was especially adept at drawing birds of all kinds.

His greatest passion in life was his wife of 45 years, Mary; and fishing; his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; and fishing; following the Patriots and Red Sox; and fishing; reading several hundred books over the years and discussing them with everyone; and fishing; traveling across the United States with Mary seeking adventure; and fishing; talking politics, reading Consumer Reports, and beating anyone at a game of cribbage; and of course, fishing.

He met his soulmate in Mary and their combined family was their pride and joy as they enjoyed every chance to have family get togethers. Their camp at Schoodic Lake in Lakeview Plantation, Maine was the site of many reunions, planned and unplanned even if the promise of monster fish was never realized. His love of fishing was passed on down and the source of many a story about the one that got away.

He and Mary had many friendships but two special ones were with Ray and Betty Graunke and Art and Cathy Witham that included many get togethers at Schoodic where they all had camps and lots of traveling together as well.

And there was never a thing he could not fix in the most creative and unconventional ways with whatever he had laying around. That is one tradition unfortunately that he handed down to all his kids.

Ervin is survived by his wife Mary of Spring Lake, Florida; his children, Brent Bridges and wife Suzanne of Kennebunk, ME; Kevin Bridges and wife Kathy of Wells, ME; Melissa Willson and husband Iley of Winter Haven, Florida; Robert Bridges and wife Tanya of Austin, Texas; and Stephen Bridges and wife Karyn of Colorado Springs, Colorado. 11 grandchildren, Nicholas, Courtney, Nathaniel, Graham, Michael, Ryan, Brian, Ashley, Christian, Amber, Cody, and 11 great grandchildren Cadence, Connor, Bauer, Grace, Mason, Kale, Damian, Elijah, Kendra, Jacob and Colton. He was predeceased by his brothers Chancy and Floyd, his sister Selma and a special nephew Alton.

Remembrance services and a celebration of life will be held this Summer at Schoodic Lake.

Arrangements entrusted to:

Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home

Online condolences may be left at:

www.stephensonnelsonfh.com