Obituary of Ozias Harris Bridgham

Ozias Harris Bridgham (October 3, 1927 – February 22, 2014), age 86, passed away at home (just the way he wanted) in Jonesboro, ME. He was born at his grandparent’s family homestead in Addison, ME, as the eldest son of Waldo Ephraim Bridgham and Leola Emma Joy Bridgham. He graduated from Jonesboro High School, attended the Maine School of Photography, graduated from Washington County Normal School (now UMM), and earned a graduate degree from the University of Maine at Orono. While his love was photography, he ended up only keeping that as a life-long hobby. Instead, he supported his family with a 40 year career in education. He started as a teacher and Principal in Winthrop, ME, and then continued as a Supt. of Schools. He and his family went on to live in North Anson, Deer Isle, Calais, and endedback at his father’s family homestead in Jonesboro, ME for his last full-time job with School Union 102. Immediately after retiring from full-time work, he took what turned into a 6 year part-time superintendency in Lubec, ME. He had also obtained a license as a stockbroker in the 60’s, and worked for Means Investment (now Means Wealth Management) in Bangor on a part-time basis for about 40 years. Ozias and his wife Gloria also owned and operated Bridgham’s General Store and Dairy Dream in Jonesboro for nearly 10 years. In addition to his body of professional work, his legacy includes: helping get Project Lodestone off the ground; board membership with the Whitneyville Library Association, the Sunrise Economic Council,and the Sunrise College; and serving several years as a Selectman for the Town of Jonesboro. In recent years, Ozias loved the annual visit from distant cousin Alice Beal Parry, public suppers in Whitneyville, lunches at the Warming Center associated with the Jonesboro Union Church, monthly meetings with the Hale-Bopp Investment Club, the weekly cribbage matches with Murray Drisko and Melrose Beal, talks with lifelong friend and neighbor Anne White, and conversations with Pastor David Gardiner. He also truly missed his ability to get out and walk, garden, and play with his camera. Ozias is survived by his children Melanie Bridgham Moore and Bruce Bridgham, granddaughter Chelsea Moore and her Bichon FrisePierre, aka “the attractive nuisance,” and cousins Joyce Kearns and Barbara (Mrs. Roland) Dobbins.He is also survived by in-laws Mildred Lohr of Rochester, NY, Lou Lorraine McGray of Belfast, ME, Jean Carole (Peggy) and Donald Grant of Addison, ME, Leon (Bussy) and Lucille (Tela) of Roque Bluffs, ME, and the numerous nieces and nephews who called him Uncle “O”. He was predeceased by his wife of 46 years Gloria Sinford Bridgham in January 2001, half sister Virginia Bridgham Smith, and brother Basil Joy Bridgham. He was also predeceased by in-laws Electa and Colin Feeney, David and Bernice Sinford, Anne and F. Eugene (Bud) Schoppee, Beatrice and Barna Norton, Grace and Allen (Mike) Bucknam, Norman Lohr, and Richard McGray. No service is planned at this time.