Bradford Christie Payne, obituary
LINCOLNVILLE BEACH — The family of Bradford Christie Payne, 91, is sad to inform you of his passing May 22, 2024, at his home. Born on February 22, 1933 in Washington DC, he was the son of Irving Whittier Payne and Evelyn Rose Payne.
Brad grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland, attended the Rosemary Elementary School where he was captain of the AAA Schoolboy Patrol. He graduated from Bethesda - Chevy Chase High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society and, was a recipient of the BCC Monogram for achievement in scholarship, including extra-curricular activities and sports.
A 1955 graduate of the University of Maine, Payne received his BA in Government with distinction. At UMaine, he was a member of the Glee Club, Varsity Singers, and Madrigal Singers, received the Mu Alpha Epsilon Scholarship for Vocal Coaching, wrote the lyrics for the University Song, “Sons of Maine” was elected to Military honor society, Scabbard and Blade. Upon graduation was commissioned as a 2nd LT. in U.S. Army Intelligence and served with the 82nd Airborne Division.
In 1961, he graduated from Harvard Divinity School with a Masters in Divinity, where he sang with the Harvard Memorial Church Choir, and completed the Chaplaincy Training Program at Boston City Hospital.
Payne was ordained in the Maine Conference, Church of Christ, and ministered to churches in Southwest Harbor, Manset, Camden, Bristol, South Bristol, and Waldoboro. He served as Moderator of both Hancock-Waldo and Lincoln Association of Congregational Churches; chaired the Committee on Social Action (Maine Conf. UCC), served on the Board of Trustees (Maine conf. UCC) the Department of Social Concerns Maine Council of Churches, and the Church and Ministry Committee of Lincoln Association. In addition, he chaired and was founding member of the Acadia National Park Summer Ministry Program under the auspices of the National Council of Churches.
Brad had a life-long love of classical music and choral singing. He was a thirty-year member and past President of the Pen Bay Singers, and also sang with the Camden Camerata and the Down East Singers, as well as doing frequent solo work.
Among his civic contributions, he was president of the Mount Desert Island Child and Family Guidance Association, a director of the Bangor Counseling Center, Preside of Coastal Family Guidance Association, a director of Waldo County Hospital, a director of Mid-Coast Mental Health Association, Chair of the Waldo County Republicans, and president of the Maplewood Cemetery Corporation.
He was appointed to the Commission on Maine’s Future by Governor McKernan and subsequently became a founding member of Sustainable Maine where he organized and chaired that organization’s Conference on Technology, held at the University of Maine. He received a legislative appointment to the State of Maine Advisory Committee on Global Education. A member of the Camden Philosophical Society for many years, he also served on its board of directors.
Active in his local town of Lincolnville, he served on a number of various town committees, was a town selectman, Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 240, and President of the Lincolnville Improvement Association.
He was married to the former Julia Spear of Camden, who predeceased him in 1996.
He is survived by his son, Bradford C. Payne II, and wife Christine of Lincolnville; daughter, Cynthia McNeil and husband Tom of Waterville; granddaughters Delaney and Trinity Payne, Meghan and Sarah McNeil; nephews, Charles and Philip Roberts; niece Deborah Demaso.
A Memorial Service followed by refreshments will be held Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 11 a.m., at the Camden Congregational Church UCC, 55 Elm Street, Camden, with the Rev. Patty Fox officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lincolnville Improvement Association Scholarship Fund, c/o Dan Leary, 2813 Atlantic Hwy., Lincolnville, ME 04849; or to the Pen Bay Singers, P.O. Box 5, Belfast, ME 04915.
Online condolences and memories may be expressed at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com. Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.