Phillip Stanton Smith. Brian Paul Colbeth. Clifford Carl Olson. Cortland Paul Bassett. Loren E. Alley Jr.
Feb 15, 2026
Note: “People We’ve Lost” is a feature of the Bar Harbor Story where we share obituaries of people that the island lost in the previous 1-2 weeks.
We’re doing this because we think everyone deserves to be remembered as widely as possible and not behind paywalls or at a cost of $500 for people mourning. We’re free.
If you have an obituary for a loved one or friend that you can’t afford to place in other spaces, please let us know, and we’ll share it here for you. We will also share obituaries that have been in other places, too. Just let us know.
Phillip Stanton Smith
Bar Harbor
Phillip Stanton Smith passed away on February 2, 2026.
Phillip was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother, an uncle, and a friend to countless others. He was also a skilled craftsman, who created art from everything that passed through his hands. He was a gifted musician, on flute and piccolo, and sang with a lovely tenor. He was a friendly face to everyone who visited the Southwest Harbor post office, and also that silly guy in the middle of the Bar Harbor Town Band.
When he wasn’t at work, Phil could be found in his gardens, touring lighthouses, globetrotting, on stage with the Gilbert & Sullivan society, out for dinner with his wife, working on a project for his son, or ice skating with his daughter. He was always THERE. No matter where he was needed, he could be counted on to show up. Always stubborn, moody, sometimes broody, and usually goofy, with a heart of gold. Phil had a deep love and appreciation for living life to the fullest, often turning to nature and the ocean for peace of mind. Although he wasn’t a New Englander native by birth, Maine was his home for more than 50 years.
Phillip was predeceased by his son, Jason A. Smith; brother, Dwight S. Smith; parents, F. Stoddart Smith III and Audrey H. Smith; and father-in-law, Leman L. Smith Jr. He is survived by his wife of half a century, Trudy Smith; daughter, Lindsay L.S. Cough; son-in-law, Joe M. Cough Jr.; and grandsons, Orion L. Wilson, Gordon A.S. Cough, and Gregor A.S. Cough; as well as grandchildren, Victoria A. Smith, Alexandra M. Smith, and Andrew J. Smith; brother, Mark D. Smith; and sister-in-law, Frankie B. Smith; mother-in-law, Mary P. Smith; and nieces and nephews, and sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law, whom he loved immensely. Also missing him now are his dearest friends, George Eaton, Nikko Marino, Bill and Wanda Whitener, and Mary March.
No services are planned at this time but may be held in the near future. Condolences may be expressed at acadiacremation.com.
Brian Paul Colbeth
MDI and Ellsworth
Brian Paul Colbeth, 64, of Ellsworth, Maine, passed away on Feb. 4, 2026, surrounded by love and leaving behind a family forever changed by his absence. Brian was, above all else, a loving husband to his wife, Marisa Colbeth. Their bond was deep, steady, and full of devotion. He was an incredible father to his sons, Brandon and Ryan. Brian was not only their dad but the person they called for advice or just to talk. No matter the question or the problem, he showed up with love, patience, and an open heart.
Brian was also a proud and devoted stepfather to Isaiah, Katie, and Becky. Brian helped raise Isaiah, guiding him, supporting him, and loving him every step of the way. To Isaiah, Brian was more than a stepfather, he was a role model.
But if you asked Brian what mattered most, he would tell you without hesitation: his grandchildren. Mason, Michael, Mia, and Theodore were his absolute world. Being their Gramp was his greatest joy and proudest role. If they were playing, Gramp was in the stands or cheering them on from home. Summers were spent on the boat, laughing, making memories, and taking his grandchildren lobstering, something they loved doing together and will carry with them forever.
We can’t forget his best buddy, Skipper. Skipper was more than just a dog to Brian; he was his best friend. From long days at work to boat rides and Sunday walks, they were inseparable. Wherever Gramp went, Skipper was right by his side, always ready for the next adventure. Their bond was truly special, a friendship that brought joy and comfort every day.
Brian shared an incredibly close bond with his sisters and his brother, a connection rooted in a lifetime of love, shared memories, and unwavering support. Family was the foundation of his life, and his siblings were a huge part of his heart. They shared countless stories, inside jokes, and memories that only siblings can understand, moments of laughter, moments of strength, and moments that carried them through life together.
Brian had a gift; he lit up every room he walked into. He was friends with everyone, and if you weren’t his friend yet, you would be by the time he walked away. His grandchildren loved to joke that everywhere he went he found someone to talk to, someone new to laugh with, a new friend. That was Brian: warm, genuine, endlessly kind, and full of life. He would do anything for anybody. He lived his life making sure the people around him were happy, taken care of, and never alone. He was a huge part of so many lives, and the space he leaves behind can never truly be filled.
Brian is survived by his wife, Marisa Colbeth; his son Brandon and wife Sasha; his son Ryan and wife Claire; a specially embraced son, Bill, and wife Tia; and the mother of his boys, Lisa Colbeth; his stepchildren Isaiah Lord, and Becky Osborne; his beloved grandchildren Mason, Michael, Mia, Theodore, Connor, and Lucas; his sisters Judy Hodgdon, Nancy Ordway, Linda Stanley and her husband John, and Wanda Gray; his brother Bruce Colbeth; sister Nichole Johnson and her husband Ross; and many extended family members and friends who loved him deeply.
He was predeceased by his sister, Darlene Tozier, and by his mother, Dorothy Stockbridge; his father, Paul Colbeth; and stepdaughter Katie Osborne, whom he now joins again.
Brian Paul Colbeth was a great man, selfless, loving, loyal, and kind. His legacy lives on through his children, his grandchildren, and every life he touched simply by being himself. He will be missed more than words can ever express and loved forever.
A celebration of life will be held in March at That Place, 331 Shore Rd., Ogunquit, ME. Additional services will be held this summer on Mount Desert Island and Swan’s Island; more information will be shared when arrangements are made.
Clifford Carl Olson
MDI
Clifford Carl Olson, 83, died Feb. 4, 2026, at Redington-Fairview General Hospital in Skowhegan. He was born on Dec. 15, 1942, in Holden, Mass., the son of Carl W. and Ellen I. (Laderman) Olson.
Cliff graduated from Wachusett High School, Holden, Mass. He received his BA in 1965 from the New England College, Henniker, N.H., where he was treasurer of his fraternity and co-captain of the basketball team. In 1968 he received his master’s from Keene State College, Keene, N.H.
On Jan. 22, 1966, he married Katherine J. Berdecki, and in September of that year, they moved to Mount Desert Island, where Cliff started his career in education. He taught history and English at Mount Desert High School in Northeast Harbor and in 1969 became a guidance counselor and eventually a director at Mount Desert Island High School. During his career and life, he interacted with many students and individuals through sports, coaching basketball, little league and cross-country. He took students bowling, skiing, and hiking.
After Cliff retired in 2000, he worked as a tour bus guide and crew leader for Friends of Acadia. He also volunteered at Island Connections, The Land and Garden Preserve, and the Northeast Harbor Village Improvement Society where he diligently maintained as well as built trails.
Traveling in his Casita was a winter adventure he looked forward to and was able to explore the country over several trips. He also enjoyed sports, music, gardening, and several outdoor activities, Molasses Pond, Trenton, Orland, and especially running. He ran many races, including the Boston Marathon in 1986.
Cliff was proud of his family and felt fortunate that he had the opportunity to see his sons and grandchildren attain their initial goals. He was a kind, gentle, thoughtful, hardworking, fun-loving man who always saw the positive side of individuals. His family often joked that he was “running for governor,” as it seemed no matter where he went, he made a connection.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years Katherine; two sons, Carl Olson and wife Leah and Michael Olson and wife Sheridy; four grandchildren, Zoe, Cody, Nathaniel, and Lucus; sister Judith Evangelidis; sister-in-law Elizabeth Rivers; a special nephew Lew Evangelidis and nieces. He was predeceased by his parents, and his canine pals, Shorty, Jagalon, Skipper, Buster, and his “girlfriend” Ruby.
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10-11 a.m., April 4, 2026, with a service to follow at 11 a.m. at Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main St., Mount Desert.
Those who desire may make contributions in Cliff’s memory to the charity of one’s choice.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
Cortland Paul Bassett
MDI and North Carolina
Cortland Paul Bassett passed away from complications of Alzheimer’s disease on Feb. 4, 2026, in Raleigh, N.C. He was born in Chattanooga, Tenn., on May 25, 1945, to Barbara Brownsey Bassett (1927-2013) and Cortland Amidon Bassett (1918-1986). He has two brothers, Alan Bassett and David Mark Bassett, and one sister, Melissa Bassett. He was lucky enough to marry Regina (Genie) Lennox in 1969. They have one daughter, Kerry Anna (Bassett) Stenke (m. Michael Stenke) and two grandkids, Klaus and Willa.
Cort grew up in Chattanooga, Tenn., Connecticut, and Royalston, Mass., where he was part of the undefeated Athol High School football team of 1962. He went to football reunions most years around Thanksgiving and thoroughly enjoyed his fellow teammates.
At certain points of his life, he had aspired to be a baseball player and a backup singer. Cort graduated from UMass and got his physician’s assistant degree from Emory University. After college, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, where he was the base newspaper editor.
He and Genie lived for short periods of time in Columbus, Miss., Orlando, Fla., Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, New London, N.H., Sunapee, N.H., Charleston, S.C., and finally in 1979 settled in Ithaca. He ran Cornell’s Sports Medicine Clinic for more than 20 years before retiring in 2000.
In 2001, he gave one of his kidneys to his little sister, who never stopped thanking him. As recently as last week, he was still proudly wearing the “One Kidney Club” T-shirt she gave him.
After retirement, he and Genie spent five months a year living out of a camper at Mount Desert Campground on Mount Desert Island, Maine, home of Acadia National Park. He worked summers at Mount Desert Island Hospital in the emergency room and volunteered with Friends of Acadia. When not working or clearing trails, he climbed precarious cliffs, walked the Carriage Roads, and photographed the beauty other people couldn’t always see. His macro photography, collecting small points of awe — a multicolor reflection on rippled water, white clouds that mimicked leaves on a winter tree — was exceptional.
Cort enjoyed his family, friends, and acquaintances. He was an artist and writer, and avid Boston Red Sox fan. He listened to oldies like the Righteous Brothers and country music (like Randy Travis), but if you asked him who his favorite singer was, he would tell you Whitney Houston, with Alicia Keys a close second. He loved donuts, ice cream, Thai food, pizza, blueberry pancakes, and more ice cream.
He lived a full, meaningful, and adventurous life with his wife Genie, daughter, sister, brother-in-law (David Lennox), son-in-law, and his two grandchildren, who were always there for him, and who he was always there for. He also had the support of, and supported, Monte and Ellie May, Linda and Fred Kilar, Kelly Daley, Bill Apgar, Sandy and Mark MacDonald, Gus Alameda, and all his other friends.
We welcome memories and photos at http://everloved.com/life-of/cortland-bassett.
In lieu of flowers, he would like a donation made to Friends of the Acadia:
https://friendsofacadia.org/membership-giving/donate/.
A small gathering will be held in Ithaca this summer to celebrate his life. Please email his daughter at kerrystenke@me.com if you would like to be included.
Loren E. Alley Jr.
Bar Harbor
Loren E. Alley Jr., 83, of Bar Harbor, Maine, passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Brenda (Tripp) Alley. He was born in Machias, Maine, on Sept. 18, 1942, to Loren E. Alley Sr. & Marie (Ackley) Alley. Loren graduated in 1961 from Bar Harbor High School.
Loren proudly served his country as a veteran of the United States Army. Following his service, he relocated to Connecticut, where he built a long and dedicated career, retiring after 30 years from Pratt & Whitney. After his retirement, he and his family moved back to Maine. For the next 10 years, he worked for The Jackson Laboratory, along with working at the Bar Harbor Lobster Bakes for his special friends, Steve and Ann Cough.
Loren had a deep love for the outdoors and spent many happy years fishing with his buddy, Steve Cough, and hunting with many friends and family. He also cherished visits from his special friend, Joe Gorley from Connecticut, and his extended family, which brought him great joy.
Loren is also survived by his two sons, Carl (Paula) and Dana (Amanda); his two daughters, Claire (Scott), and Dawn (Wayne); 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; his siblings, Hazel (Deanna), Marvin (Linda), and Edmund and several in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Loren will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, whose quiet strength, loyalty, and love for family and friends left a lasting impression on all who knew him.
An honoring of a life well lived will take place at a later date.
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