Erlon W. Rand Jr.

AUBURN – Erlon W. Rand, Jr., 95, of Turner passed away peacefully Friday, August 18, 2023 at Montello Manor surrounded by the love of his family. Erlon was the 3rd child of Erlon, Sr. and Grace (Adams) Rand born Feb. 21, 1928. He attended Auburn schools and graduated from ELHS in 1947. At the age of 16, Erlon enlisted in the Maine State Guard.

On July 3, 1949 he married Janice G. Pillsbury of Rangeley and they raised 4 children together in the home his grandfather built on Whitney St in Auburn. They moved to Turner in 1987. Erlon was a carpenter by trade and operated his own general contracting business for many years, building 30+ homes in the Auburn and Rangeley areas. In 1966 he started working for Harriman Associates as a Construction Administrator. He retired in 1990, but continued to work part time, overseeing large school projects. He and Janice enjoyed making and selling wooden crafts at local fairs together. Erlon was a member of the Lions Club and West Auburn Congregational Church.

He enjoyed the outdoors; snowmobiling and fishing at camp in Rangeley. He was an avid Nascar fan and an Oxford 250 ticket holder for almost 50 years. He loved attending family gatherings, birthday parties, watching sporting events and in retirement he and Janice enjoyed traveling with two trips around the US.

He is survived by his children, Steve and Vicki Rand, Kenneth and Marge Rand, Dianne O’Connor and Mike Hricko, and Kathy and Mark Decker; his life long friend and companion Shirley Dunn; his grandchildren Jennifer (Dan) Casey, Jason (Mandy) Rand, Brent (Chizu) Rand, Emily Rand, Shawn (Claire) O’Connor, Heidi (Carl) Rand, Michael (Elizabeth) O’Connor, Taryn (Justin) Henry, Briana (Chris) Hudson, Kelli (Kenny) Young, Brittany (Paul) Lopez, Carrie (Ryan) Timberlake, Britini (Brandon) Broseker; great-grandchildren Amanda Rand and partner Daryl Gruet, TeeJay (Amber) Sinclair, Kaylee Casey and partner Kevin St. Pierre, Noah Casey and partner Kayla Douglass, Oliver and Simon Rand, Annebelle Rand, Amelia and Eloise Krams, Hailie Rand, Lyla Reynolds, Kade, Ayden, and James Henry, Jameson Timberlake, Andrew, Matthew, and William O’Connor, Alice and Zeke Young, Jules O’Connor, Reilley and Cole Hudson, Gabriel and Gavin Filip, Tina Marie and Evan Lopez, River, Aspyn and Blaise Broseker; and great-great-grandchildren Cullen Gruet, Lillian Sinclair, and Alice Douglass.

He was predeceased by his parents; wife Janice; son-in-law Brad O’Connor; and his siblings Alice Kennison, Fred Rand, Helen Grover.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the caregiving of the staff at Schooner Estates, St. Mary’s Hospital, Montello Manor, and the Androscoggin Home Health & Hospice.

To leave a message for the family in their online guestbook, please visit http://www.thefortingroupauburn.com

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 22 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Fortin Group in Auburn. A Funeral Service will take place on Wednesday, August 23 at 11 a.m. at the West Auburn Congregational Church with committal prayers to follow at Mount Auburn Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the care of The Fortin Group Funeral Homes | 217 Turner Street Auburn, ME 04210 | (207) 783-8545.

In lieu of flowers,

donations may be sent to:

West Auburn Congregational Church

P.O. Box 3126

Auburn, ME 04212