Trafton "Bud" Sprowl

MILTON - Trafton "Bud" Sprowl, 86, passed away on Sept. 22, 2009, after a long illness and series of health problems. Bud Sprowl was born on Nov. 29, 1923 in Rockland, Maine, to Arthur M. Sprowl and Lizzie B. Davis. He was one of 12 children. Bud was a combat veteran of World War II, having served as a bombardier/gunner in the 483rd Bomb Group, 815th Squadron, 15th Army Air Corp, as a member of the Pacitti/Rardin crew. He flew multiple combat missions over Nazi-occupied Europe and Germany in a B-17 Flying Fortress. Among his decorations were several air medals for air combat operations. Bud was a proud member of the 483rd Bomb Group Association and attended several reunions with his surviving crew members until his health became an issue. There is a monument dedicated to the bomb group's service at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Bud was there when the monument was dedicated and unveiled.Bud went to work at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, where he rose to shop foreman. He worked on several U.S. naval submarines, including the historical USS Nautilus, which was the first vessel to complete a submerged transit across the North Pole. Bud retired from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard after 27 years of service, taking on a new career.Bud was a member and then head of Dover Ambulance Corps for several years and spent much of his time volunteering at sporting events such as Dover Pee Wee football. Bud started working for the Barrington Police Department, where he became a sergeant and rose to rank of chief. He served as chief of the Barrington Police Department until 1987. From the time he began in law enforcement, his house became a meeting place for local and state police who would stop by to chat and have coffee, and often something to eat. Both his sons followed in their father's footsteps, serving in the military and then entering law enforcement.On Feb. 23, 1946, Bud married Maggie May (Batts) Sprowl. Maggie was the love of his life. Together they raised six of their own children and also raised some others who needed homes. They always enjoyed having a house full of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Bud was preceded in death by his loving wife, Maggie; one son, who died at birth; his daughters, Charma Lea (Bertrand) and Charmaine Ann (Keller); his parents; and 10 of his brothers and sisters. He is survived by his sons, Steven (Sharon) Sprowl of Milton, Jason (Michelle) Sprowl of Washington State; daughters, Faye Sprowl of Florida, Crystal (Kevin) Berry of Strafford; his brother, Robert (Bobby Sprowl) of Rockland, Maine; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews, including Tim Sprowl and his wife, Gail, of Dover, who spent so much time helping dad in his last few months, and Tom Miller and his family, who traveled from North Carolina to spend time with Dad this summer. Bud was a proud member of the International Associations of Chiefs of Police and The Veterans of Foreign Wars.The family would like to thank the Hospice House of Scarborough, Maine, and the doctors and nurses there that took such good care of our father in his last days. He was happy and at peace there.We miss you dad, but we are at peace knowing that you will finally be reunited with mom, who you have missed so much. "Listen for my footfall in your heart. I am not gone, but merely walk within you."Calling hours will be held Thursday, Sept. 24, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the R. M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 South Main St., Rochester, N.H.A funeral service will be held Friday, Sept. 25, at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of the R. M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 Main St., Rochester.He will be interned in the Barrington Cemetery alongside his loving wife, Maggie.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Gosnell Hospice House, 11 Hunnewell Ave., Scarborough, ME 04074 or NH SPCA, PO Box 196, Stratham, NH 03885.Visit the online guest book at www.fosters.com/obits