Melanie Creamer is a news assistant, who's worked at the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram for nearly 16 years. She oversees various responsibilities from monitoring the news and business email addresses – to fetching old newspaper articles and photos from the archive. She’s the face behind the popular business “On the Move” column, which appears in Tuesdays and Thursdays newspapers. A compassionate and soft-spoken woman, Melanie is also the writer of the newspaper’s feature obituary. Many of her colleagues say she has one of the toughest jobs in the newsroom. She tells heart-breaking stories of love and loss. She listens as parents sob uncontrollably over the tragic death of their child. She writes touching stories about couples who have been married for 60 plus years, and then die within days or weeks from each other. Melanie was the recipient of the Maine Press Association’s Unsung Hero Award in 2015. A native of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, she graduated from Fitchburg State College in 2000 with a degree in professional writing. She lives in Scarborough with her fiancée and is a co-parent to two daughters.
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PublishedJune 11, 2021
Lives Lost: Patricia Caron, 74, devoted mother and friend who was ‘selfless in helping other people’
She’s one of just eight Mainers who have died from COVID-19 after being fully vaccinated.
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PublishedMay 14, 2021
Jean Pilk, 96, renowned portrait artist from Cape Elizabeth
A diminutive woman who had a huge presence, Pilk was best-known for her portraits of government officials, including Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Colin Powell.
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PublishedApril 22, 2021
Kendall Morse, renowned Maine humorist and folk singer, dies at 86
Morse, who most recently lived in Scarborough, spent more than 40 years performing around the country and recording his songs and stories.
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PublishedMarch 8, 2021
Charles Scontras, 91, renowned educator, author, Maine labor historian
Mr. Scontras wrote more than a dozen books and taught at the University of Maine for 36 years.
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PublishedFebruary 23, 2021
Maine Lives Lost: Donald Perreault, Marine Corps vet and welder who loved the outdoors
Perreault served in Vietnam and was exposed to Agent Orange, putting him at greater risk of complications from the coronavirus.
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PublishedFebruary 12, 2021
Thomas Keller, 71, retired Portland police lieutenant, advocate for domestic violence victims
After serving in the Vietnam War, he joined the force in 1972 and rose through the ranks, distinguishing himself as a champion for the underserved.
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PublishedJanuary 27, 2021
Fred Dolgon, peace activist and member of Green Independent Party, dies at 91
The Old Orchard Beach resident was passionate about politics and wanting to make the world a better place for all people.
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PublishedJanuary 13, 2021
Falmouth couple remembered by family and friends for their optimism, kindness and work ethic
Geoffrey and Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Gattis, both 68, were killed in a traffic accident on the Maine Turnpike Tuesday.
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PublishedOctober 1, 2020
Caleb Fraser, a Portland High grad and standout pitcher, dies at 26
His body was discovered by a hiker Monday morning in the Presumpscot River, and Portland police say his death is being investigated as an apparent drowning.
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PublishedSeptember 8, 2020
Jesse Harvey, advocate for people battling substance abuse, dies of possible overdose
Harvey founded what he called the Church of Safe Injection, a group of recovery houses, and created a mobile operation to distribute sterile needles.