MARSHFIELD - Clayton Harmon Beal, 73, passed over to a new dimension July 30, 2007, after a brief illness. He was born June 7, 1934, to the late Wandell G. and Ida (Kelley) Beal. Clayt's education began at his mother's knee and continued through the Jonesport school system with his graduation from high school in 1952. He continued his education at Graceland College, Lamoni, Iowa, for a year and then a year at Gorham State Teachers College, Gorham. His next four years were in the U.S. Air Force with most of his service spent in Denver. While in Colorado, his fiance, Frances Gower, joined him and they were married in that Rocky Mountain state. Upon release from the air force, they returned to Jonesport, where he worked for a number of years as a salesman. In 1966, he began working with the Bangor Daily News, where he was bureau chief for Washington County for 30 years, retiring in 1996. He found joy in Little League baseball, making wooden toys for the grandchildren, the Boston Red Sox and his cat, Bobby. He had a lifelong passion for the ocean, especially the waters of Jonesport Reach during the 4th of July lobster boat races. The second love of his life was blueberrying. He fondly conversed with anyone about blueberries. He taught many of the younger generation the art of raking by using techniques such as a winnowing machine on the bed of his truck. Happiness was an evening with the guys in the blueberry field. He was a kind man, blessed with five wonderful children, creating a very strong family. Gayle and husband, John Parsons of Delta Junction, Alaska, Nathan and wife, Laurel (Barnes) of Machias, Naomi and fianc?, Gary Couture, of East Machias, Andrew Beal of Marshfield and Timothy and wife, Lydia (Johnson), of Marion. They in turn blessed him with nine grandchildren, Jeremy Parsons and wife, Trina, Jennifer Fiske and husband, Brian, Christopher Beal, Jacob and H. James Beal, Nicholas, Jay and Clara Beal and Eli Wandell Beal. He was further blessed with great-grandchildren, Emma, Casey and Elianna, Jayden and Madison. He was also blessed with two siblings, William N. Beal Sr. and wife, Mary, of Davenport, Fla., and Sara Lou and husband, Lewis Beal Sr., of Bradley; an aunt, Ila and husband, William Palmer, of New Port Richey, Fla.; uncles, Newman Kelley and wife, Gloria, and Norman Kelley and wife, Judy; a sister-in-law; Ethel Graham of Machias, many nieces, nephews and cousins; and a special friend, Roland (Sammy) Kelley of New Hampshire and Jonesport. A celebration of his life will be held 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at 83 Mack Cove Road, Roque Bluffs. It was Clayt's request there be no floral tributes and those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Machias Area Little League, P.O. Box 308, East Machias, ME 04630 or to a charity of one's choice.