SEARSPORT - SEARSPORT - Payson M. Seekins, 80, died Oct. 14, 2009, surrounded by his loving family at home. He was born June 23, 1929, in Searsport, the eldest of five sons born to Charles and Eva (Whitcomb) Seekins. Payson was a family man first and foremost. He married Natalie Ruby Kingsbury, June 29, 1948. They were life partners having celebrated 61 years of marriage in June, surrounded by their large loving family. At all family gatherings, our father would look at his extended family with such love and pride. He was a man of simple pleasures who enjoyed the comfort of sitting by a wood fire on a cold winter day, sitting down with a bowl of fresh berries from his own land picked by the kids for their Papa, and being involved in the lives of his loved ones, whether he was watching, participating or sharing in their dreams, accomplishments or just every day living. He spent countless hours at the camp fishing with his children and grandchildren. Nothing gave him more pleasure than sitting in his recliner with his grandkids in his lap. His memories of fishing and hunting with his father and brothers were shared often with his family in later years. His measure of the success of a hard days work was the size of the wood pile at the end of the day. With every new grandchild, and then great-grandchild, his love was never ending. Papa was always there with advice, helping hands and the perfect tool for any problems anybody came to him with. He was loved by a large extended family and many friends. He was a proud, honest and hard working man who was self-employed for many years in the poultry industry and as an independent logger. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Natalie; three sons, William "Bill" Seekins and Ann Raven of China, Arthur and Anne Seekins of Portsmouth, N.H., and Darrell and Louise Seekins of Searsport; two daughters, Corinne and Nick Blanchard of Searsport and Debra Crossman of Searsport; 14 grandchildren, Athena Crossman and Travis Benett of Searsport, Petrina Crossman of Bangor, Christina Crossman Dodge of Searsport, Heidi Seekins of Portland, Ore., Andrew Blanchard of Searsport, Kiera Seekins of China, Andrea Blanchard of Searsport, Nathaniel Seekins of London, Aline Seekins of Melbourne, Fla., Annie Seekins of Durham, N.H., Emma Seekins of Orlando, Fla., Sam Seekins of China, Maine, Caroline and Hannah Seekins of Portsmouth, N.H.; 11 great-grandchildren, Zachary, Jordan and Caleb Barlow of Bangor, Jesse Hayes of Bangor, Patrick and Haley Crossman of Searsport, Dylan Dodge of Searsport, Austin Brown-Dodge of Searsport, Brianna Boyle of Searsport, Zoey and Jackson Bennett of Searsport; two brothers, Philip Seekins of Bucksport and Pearley and Joanne Seekins of Florida; sister-in-law, Joan of Florida; and foster sister, Carol Ash of Belfast. He was predeceased by his parents; two brothers, Preston Sr. and his wife, Juanita, of Searsport, and Paul of Florida; son-in-law, Norman Crossman; and great-granddaughter, Hope Crossman-Barlow. The family gives a heartfelt thanks to all the loving heath care workers at Winterport Family Medicine who cared for and about him for many years. Your love, concern and great care meant a great deal to Payson. With each visit to your office he was treated with love, care and compassion. You shared love, tears and laughter, and he loved you all. A graveside service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to CancerCare of Maine, Breast Cancer Research, 417 State St., Suite 20, Bangor, ME 04401. Arrangements are under the direction of Young Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 31 West Main St., Searsport.