Alan James MacQueen, of Wiscasset, died suddenly on June 10, 2013.

He was born in Lynn, Mass., to Alan and Ruth MacQueen on November 27, 1941. He grew up in Topsfield, Mass., and Lyndonville, Vt.

At the age of 15, Alan went to live on a dairy farm with Gladys and Elmer Burington in East Burke, Vt., where he discovered his love of dairy cows, horses and farming. He graduated from Lyndon Institute and received his degree in animal husbandry from the University of Vermont, and at the age of 40, obtained his master's degree in business from the University of Notre Dame.

Alan went to the Rising Tide Community Market in Damariscotta in 2009 as grocery manager, moving up to general manager in December 2012. Prior to that, he was vice president of Marriott Management Services, and had his own plumbing and heating business in Bar Harbor. Along with his wife Candee Rogers, MacQueen had dairy farms in Missouri and New York under the name Alan-Dee Dairy Farm.

At the time of his death, they were the resident farmers at The Morris Farm in Wiscasset where they formed the Alan-Dee Dairy 4-H group. He also bred Clydesdale horses, some of which became famous as Budweiser Clydesdales.

Five of his Clydesdales reside at The Morris Farm where they graze at the top of the hill overlooking the Holstein cows and dairy goats. Also in residence are numerous cats, which were another of Alan's loves.

Alan was truly “God's Shepherd.” He thought nothing of taking time to drive eight hours to help a friend rescue a donkey and see that she was safe and comfortable in her new home.

If you had a problem trimming or cleaning your horse's hooves, he'd be there to help you, show you the proper way, and demonstrate the proper way to discipline your animal. His knowledge and patience were endless and there was never a question of his sharing anything he knew.

As the general manager of the Rising Tide Community Market, Alan proved to be a much beloved leader of his “Tide” family with his loyalty, trust and dedication to employees and customers alike.

He is survived by his wife, Candee Rogers MacQueen; his sons, Jeffrey, Stephen and Chip; his sister, Carol Tibbetts of Newark, Vt.; his brother, Craig MacQueen of Lebanon, Mo.;  10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

There will be a celebration of Alan's life at the Darrows Barn at Round Top Farm in Damariscotta on July 2 from 1 to 4 p.m. There will also be a religious service at The Morris Farm in Wiscasset, on June 29 at 2 p.m.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta. Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting: www.stronghancock.com.