Charleston, Maine - Stuart Foster Kallgren, 72, Charleston, headed to heaven, June 22, 2025. He was the son of Robert B. Kallgren and his loving mother, Marion (Richards) Kallgren.

Growing up Stu spent his school days fishing and riding. Later his bikes grew to motorcycles, then autos and trucks. He was an avid hunter and spent many days hunting in Abbot, Loon Lake, and Charleston. He loved golfing and took every opportunity to be at whatever golf course he could. He became a certified golf instructor and never lost that enthusiasm for golf, and even as his time here dwindled he spent many hours watching golf.

School was never his passion, but working and earning his own money was. He worked his spare time away from Stearns High School (Class of 1971) at the local IGA and like so many others in the Millinocket area, having graduated, he went directly to the mill out of high school. He worked many positions at "The Mill," everything from the mailroom to beater engineer. All jobs were met with punctuality, enthusiasm and integrity. For many years he was the union president, fighting to the end of his tenure for the mill workers. After 41 years at Great Northern Paper, his final job was at the Waste Water Treatment Plant, where he ended up being one of the last employees to work for GNP, giving them 42 years of his life. Life after the mill took him to Casella for a couple years operating heavy equipment on the "mountain" in Old Town.

In 2015, he, along with the love of his life, Sue, developed an idea into a business and that was to help restore some of Maine's neglected cemeteries. They both trained in the craft of cemetery conservation in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and then started their business, Maine Gravesite Maintenance. This became his greatest job of all, "His legacy" as he put it. All you had to do is ask him anything about headstones or cemeteries and you would be in for a lengthy conversation on the proper way to maintain cemeteries, and repair any type of headstone or monument. They were so passionate about this business, that within 2 years Sue and Stu were both officially retired from their full time jobs and began working in cemeteries throughout the state of Maine having worked in 14/16 Maine counties. They spent thousands of hours together in their business. Finally in 2024 his body would no longer let him do the kind of strenuous work he loved and they sold the business with great pride.

During his life he had been the President of Pulp and Papermakers Local Union for several years, President of Maine Woods Coalition, member of the Penobscot Salmon Club, one of the founding members of Cemetery Conservators for United Standards, which now has over 10,000 members. He was also a director with The Charleston Historical Society. Above all, he was a true America Patriot and loved this country.

All people die, but not all people live. Stu lived! He packed so much life into his seventy plus years. He put one foot in front of the other facing head on the Cancer battle, not once, but twice. A battle which we prayed he would win. His fight was dogged and determined, and done so with super strength, dignity and courage.

Stu leaves behind, his fiancée of 14 years, Sue Dunham; mother, Marion Kallgren Abbot; sister, Kathleen Pulkkinen (Lance) Abbot; brother, Bruce Kallgren (Sally) Guilford; his favorite aunts, Dodie Crouse, Dexter, and Lois Kallgren, Marlette, Michigan; a very thoughtful nephew, Kyle; niece, Kalli; great-nieces, Mariel and Amelia; and great-nephew, Jackson. He also leaves his "just like family," Trish and Rob Higgins and family; and best friends, Rod (Ada) Angotti, Alan Higgins, Rod (Judi) Bushway and Rick (Nancy) Theriault; and also many close friends throughout the years.

A celebration of his life will be held at their Homestead, 130 Puddledock Road, Charleston, ME, July 26, 2025, from 11-3 p.m. Please wear red, white or blue.

We know he will still be around in spirit, making sure we don't turn the wheels before we move the vehicle, being sure we are always a few minutes early because ... "being on time is being late," checking the 14 cameras he monitored on their property and we know he will be watching, guiding and protecting his friends and family from the other side.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Stu Kallgren Golf Scholarship, c/o Sue Dunham, 130 Puddledock Rd., Charleston, ME 04422 or to The Charleston Historical Society Media Fund, 125 School Rd., Charleston, ME 04422.