Benjamin E. Kirkland, 82, died on December 25, 2013.

Family funeral service was held on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013 at William & Mary Hart Presbyterian Church in Tarboro, N.C. with the Rev. Ron McCracken officiating. Burial will be in the spring in Wiscasset.

Benjamin was a member of the William & Mary Hart Presbyterian Church and a member of the church choir. He was a member of the Leggett Civic Club there as well.

For over 35 years, while living at his Maine home in Wiscasset that he shared with Henry Ferne II, he was a member of the National Garden Club, and one of the three founding members of the Mid-Maine Rose Society. He was involved in the early planning of today’s Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay and was also generously involved with the Maine State Police Scholarship Fund and the Wiscasset Public Library. He was a benefactor and 25-year board member of TrainRiders/Northeast, the organization that made Maine’s Downeaster passenger rail service possible.

He was predeceased by parents Robert Leonard and Nina Harris Kirkland, Henry Ferne II, brothers Raymond, Cecil and John Kirkland; sisters Mildred Allsbrook, Augusta Hood and Margaret Coleman.

He is survived by his brother Virgil and wife Leah Jean Kirkland; sister-in-law, Lillian Kirkland; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to William & Mary Hart Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 7657 NC Hwy 33NW, Tarboro, NC 27886.

A graveside service will be held in the spring at Greenlawn Cemetery in Wiscasset.

Arrangements are by Daigle Funeral Home, 819 High Street, Bath. Condolences may be made online at www.Daiglefuneralhome.com.