While searching for VP-4 vets to notify about our upcoming reunion, I ran across this sad news. I have no contact info for the family.
Alton L. LISHNESS ATCS USN (Ret) VP-4 1950 – 1954
NORTH ANSON, ME — Alton L. Lishness, Navy (retired), 77, died Monday, June 9, 2008, at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.
He was born on Jan. 21, 1931, in Moscow, the son of Thomas and Olive (Churchill) Lishness.
He graduated from Central High School in North New Portland with the class of 1949. After high school, Alton joined the Navy. He served in Patrol Squadron Four (VP-4) circa 1950-1954 flying as a radioman and radar operator on P2V’s out of Whidbey Island, Wash. Then, after a two-year tour at Naval Auxiliary Air Station, Kingsville, Texas, he volunteered for operation DeepFreeze. He was aboard VX-6 for six years (1956-1962) flying as radioman on the R4D’s, P2V’s and the “Connie Crew.” An Antarctic mountain, Lishness Peak (2200m 78-53s 084-54w) near the south end of Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth Mountains was named after him.
He then transferred to HT8 at Ellyson field where he qualified as a helo crew chief and SAR rescue swimmer, 1962-1965. After AV-B school, he was ordered to VP-50 (1966-1969) where he flew the SP-5B Seaplanes and the P-3 Orions before being transferred to Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Md., 1969-1973. After a three-year tour on the USS Independence CV-62 (1973-1976), he was assigned as the command senior chief, AV/Weps Division Scpo and Det maintenance senior chief with Squadron 10 Patrol, VP-10.
His sons, Tom and Bob, both served in the Navy with him at Naval Air Station, Brunswick. He retired July 1, 1982, after serving his country for 33 years, three months and three days of continuous service. He earned several degrees in business administration and business economics at the University of Maine Farmington and served his hometown of North New Portland, as town manager for 10 years before retiring a second time.
Alton was also a member of the Lions Club of New Portland, the Masons lodge of North Anson, The People Who Care Food Cupboard of Madison, and a member of the Community United Methodist Church in North Anson.
Alton also enjoyed playing Santa for many years, bringing excitement and joy to children of all ages.
He was predeceased by his parents, Tom and Olive Lishness, and his grandson, Kenny Bacon, Army veteran.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly Lishness of North Anson; his children, Susan Bacon of Clements, Md., Thomas Lishness and his wife, Laura, of Windsor, Jill Wood, her husband, Jay, of Mechanicsville, Md., Robert Lishness of California, Md., and their mother, Elsie Lishness of Hollywood, Md.
He is also survived by his stepchildren, Sim L. Daigle his wife, Christy, of Sabattus, and Ellen Stanley, her husband, Chris, of Norridgewock; grandchildren, Leah Danala, Tara Daigle, Matthew Daigle, Chris Lishness, Shaun Lishness, Mark Stanley, Chelsea Wood, Matthew Wood, and Stephanie Wood; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Thomasine Lutzky of Silver Springs, Md.; and a brother, Dean Lishness of Pleasant Ridge.
He touched the lives of so many … Loved by all … Never to be forgotten. He will be missed.
A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, June 13, at the Community United Methodist Church in North Anson, with the Rev. Margo Carmines officiating. Interment will be in the Sunset Cemetery, North Anson.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The People Who Care Food Cupboard, c/o Richard Dyer, 27 Blackwell Hill Road, Madison, ME 04950.
Arrangements are by Giberson Funeral Home, 40 Maple St., Madison.
Published in the Morning Sentinel on 6/12/2008
Burial:
Sunset Cemetery
North Anson
Somerset County
Maine, USA
—
Larry Hames
VP-4 1975 – 1978
VP-4 Veterans Assn Database Manager
database@vp4association.com
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