WINTERPORT – Elmer William Gamble, 91, peacefully left this life August 20, 2013, to join Alberta, his loving wife of 67 years, whom predeceased him just two short months ago. Elmer was born April 19, 1922, in Beverly, Mass., the son of Lawrence and Louise (Smith) Gamble.

Elmer enlisted in the U.S. Navy on June 22, 1939, serving aboard the U.S.S. Harry Lee, U.S.S. Neville, U.S.S. Ziellin and U.S.S. Cambria. As a machinist mate 1st class, Elmer saw action in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters. He trained in underwater demolition and was a member of one of the original underwater demo crews. Elmer landed on Makin Island, the Marshall Islands, Saipan, Leyte Gulf at San Jose and the Island of Luzon. Toward the end of the conflict, Elmer was aboard the U.S.S. Menifee when it was ordered to pick up 1,500 wounded soldiers and take them to Pearl Harbor. The vessel continued to San Francisco, arriving in April of 1945. He finished his tour on Sept. 10, 1945, and returned to Massachusetts.

Elmer worked for 19 years for New England Telephone Company before joining Hampden and Etna Telephone Company in 1963. He retired in 1993. Alberta Low became his wife on June 23, 1946. As the co-owner of Hampden Country Club he was often working on tractors, cutting grass and enjoying his golf game, occasionally shooting his age or below. He enjoyed sailing on his homemade 40-foot schooner that he and his brother, Lawrence, crafted by hand and affectionately named it the “Uncle Elmer” which still sails today.

Elmer was a member and Past Master of Budleigh Lodge A.F. & A.M., Beverly, Mass., and a member and Past Master of Howard Lodge No. 69 A.F. & A.M., Winterport, a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Bangor, Bangor, Anah Shrine, a member and Past Patron of the Cushing Chapter O.E.S. No. 84, Winterport, the Whitcomb-Baker V.F.W. Post No. 4633 of Hampden, the Seniors Golf League, and the Ancient Order of the Deep, which he obtained while crossing the equator while aboard the U.S.S. Neville. Elmer will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend.

Elmer is survived by his sons, Bill Gamble of Hampden and Dean Gamble and wife, Linda, of Winterport; daughters, Judith Gamble Adams of Bangor and Susan Denley and husband, William, of Wakefield, N.H.; grandchildren, Christine Morrison, Jeremiah Gamble, Amanda Burke, Zachary Gamble, Jayson Adams, James Adams, Geoffrey Denley, Andrew Denley, Brad Denley, Richard Gamble, Russell Gamble and David Gamble; great-grandchildren, William, Sophia and Katie Morrison; brothers, Earle Gamble of Florida and Leroy Gamble and wife, Irene, of Beverly, Mass.; sisters, Claire Meade of Salem, N.H., and Wilma Norman and husband, Alden, of Wolfeboro, N.H.; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. Elmer was predeceased by his parents; his loving wife, Bert on June 11, 2013; his brother, Lawrence Gamble; and his sister, Doris Morse.

Family and friends are invited to visit 5-7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26, at Hampden-Gilpatrick Funeral Home, 45 Western Ave., Hampden, where a Masonic Memorial service will be conducted at 6:45 p.m by Howard Lodge No. 69 A.F. & A.M. of Winterport. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, at Hampden Congregational Church, 101 Main Road N., Hampden, with the Rev. William Walsh Jr. officiating. Interment with military honors will be immediately after the funeral at Lakeview Cemetery, Hampden. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Maine Veterans Home, 44 Hogan Road, Bangor, ME 04401; or to Shiners Hospitals for Children – Boston, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114.