Aaron P. Hawthorne, 60, died Jan. 31, 2013, at a Bangor hospital. He was born Sept. 3, 1952, in Brunswick, a son of Earl and Thelma (Patchell) Hawthorne.

He was a building contractor all of his life. Aaron was a very hard working man and had a heart of gold. His greatest passions were his grandchildren, his fruit trees and his vegetable gardens. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Along with his wife, Lorraine, Aaron owned many racehorses that were trained by his brothers-in-law Gerald "Butch" MacKenzie and Scott MacKenzie, including Pupa Mac, Muscleman, and Model Citizen.

He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Lorraine (MacKenzie) Hawthorne; his father, Earl Hawthorne; three sons, Aaron Hawthorne Jr., Adam and wife, Liz Hawthorne, and Craig and wife, Jessie Hawthorne, all of Newport; a daughter, Laurie Hawthorne and fiancé, Jason Ramsdell, of Hartland; a brother, Wayne and wife, Renee Hawthorne, of Detroit; two sisters and their husbands, Brenda and Larry Downs of Newport and Karen and Shawn Smith of Sandy Point; 13 grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of his life will be celebrated at a time to be announced Saturday, Feb. 9. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Aaron Hawthorne Fund to help defray final expenses, care of Sebasticook Valley Federal Credit Union, 87 Moosehead Trail, Newport, ME 04953. Arrangements are by Crosby & Neal, Newport. Those who wish may leave written tributes at www.CrosbyNeal.com.