Arnold Livermore Poland

POLAND, Arnold Livermore, 67, Dover-Foxcroft, at Bangor, July 2, 2015. A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 20, at 1 p.m., at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church. Arrangements are under the care of the Lary Funeral Home, Dover-Foxcroft.

    DOVER-FOXCROFT – Arnold Livermore Poland born October 15, 1947, in Livermore Falls, the son of Charles Clyde Poland and Nancy Ada (Livermore) Poland, died July 2, 2015, at Eastern Maine Medical Center following a battle with leukemia. He was 67 years old.
    He was predeceased by his mother and father; and two brothers, James Poland and Allan Poland. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Constance E. Poland, of Dover-Foxcroft; a daughter, Samantha Poland and her husband, Andrew Furst, of North Reading, Mass.; a son, Chad Poland and his wife, Emily, of Dover-Foxcroft; and four grandchildren: Ian Furst, Nathan Furst, Ethan Poland and Hannah Poland. He is also survived by a brother, Richard Poland of Florida; and many nieces and nephews.
    Arnie grew up on a small farm and graduated from Livermore Falls High School in 1965. As a young man, he was a gymnast and accomplished athlete in Track and Field but his gift for music was obvious from a very early age. He was a skilled vocalist and even as a young man was able to quickly play any instrument available to him.
    Following a time of employment at International Paper and due to the encouragement and support of his brother, Dick, he attended the Northern Conservatory of Music and received a Bachelor’s in Music Education in 1971. Later in life, he continued his education receiving a Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Maine, Orono, in 1992.
    He began his music educator career in Southwest Harbor at Pemetic Elementary and Middle Schools. Summers, he was the milkman for a nearby dairy. In 1976, he and his family relocated to Dover-Foxcroft where he served as the sole Music Director at Foxcroft Academy until 2004. During that time he conducted band, jazz band, chorus, musical theater, and competition marching band, as well as lessons, small ensembles and guitar classes. He served as President of the Maine Music Educator Association and in 2003 was inducted into the Maine Music Educator Association Hall of Fame. He was an integral part of the Maine Summer Youth Music program at the University of Maine in Orono. He served this program in various capacities for several years, including the Dean of Students. For many years, Arnie also served as the Minister of Music at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church where his son now serves as pastor.
    After his career at the Academy, he continued to offer private lessons and led small ensembles; he also pursued another lifelong interest, computer technology. He had introduced MIDI technology to the music program at Foxcroft Academy, having the first high school MIDI lab in the state of Maine. He was invited to offer MIDI workshops through the state. In 2004, Arnie began work as a computer technician in MSAD 4 and became an Apple Certified Macintosh Technician.
    In addition to his career in music he was an avid motorcyclist and he loved to tinker with bikes, RC airplanes, and everything in between. Most recently he had been working to restore a 1977 MG.
    He impacted the life of many people and will be greatly missed.
    A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 20, at 1 p.m., at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church, United Church of Christ with the Rev. Darren Morgan officiating. There will be a time of fellowship following the service.
    In lieu of flowers, you are invited to make donations toward the music ministries of the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church at PO Box 328, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 or toward scholarships for summer music camp, checks payable to Foxcroft Academy Music Boosters, PO Box 475, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426.
    Arrangements are in the care of the Lary Funeral Home, Dover-Foxcroft. Condolences and memories may be expressed at www.laryfuneralhome.com.