Clarence H. Booze

Clarence Houston Booze of Easton, MD formerly of Chester, died peacefully at his family’s home in Stevensville on Wednesday, September 12, 2007. He was 91 years old. Born on March 3, 1916, the son of the late Everett Booze and Ethel Creighton Booze in Fishing Creek, MD. He was a graduate of Hooper’s Island High School, class of 1934. He began his career working as a carpenter for local contractors in Cambridge. He later worked as a draftsman for Nuttle Lumber Company in Denton. In 1939, he established his own contracting business, Clarence H. Booze, Building Contractor in Cambridge. Mr. Booze served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He married Lauraetta Wilson on June 25, 1942. Clarence was in the China-Burma-India Campaign where he was a company commander and received a Purple Heart. He was discharged as a captain in 1946. He returned to Cambridge to resume his contracting business. In 1952, after the Bay Bridge was built, he and his family moved to Chester, MD. During his career, he built over a hundred homes, mainly on Kent Island. He retired in 1985. His wife, Lauraetta Wilson Booze died January 24, 1990. In 1993, he married Elsie Smith and she predeceased him in January 2004. Mr. Booze was a devoted father and family man who enjoyed family genealogy and researching the history of Hooper’s Island. He was a member of Christ Church in Stevensville where he had served on the vestry. He was a lifetime member of Tuckahoe Steam and Gas. He was a founder of James Richardson Museum in Cambridge. He was an enthusiastic member of Prime Timers Singing Group at The Parkview Apartments in Easton where he resided and had many special friends. Survived by 4 children; Kenneth H. Booze and his wife Kim Loan of Gambrills, MD; Shirley O. Rider and her husband Robert of Elkhart, IN; Thomas M. Booze and his wife Denise of Stevensville, MD; James W. Booze and his wife Betty of Laurel, MD; 2 sisters, Ethel Jones of Denton, MD and Ruth Baker of Stevensville, MD; 7 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. A brother, Luther O. Booze predeceased him. Services will be held on Saturday, September 15, 2007 at 11 am at Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P. A., 106 Shamrock Road, Chester, MD 21619. Family and friends may call at Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P. A., Chester, MD on Friday, September 14, 2007 from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm. Interment will be at St. Johns Chapel Cemetery, Cornersville, MD. Memorial contributions may be made to James Richardson Museum, P.O. Box 1198, Cambridge, MD 21613 or Hospice of Queen Anne’s Inc, 423 Thompson Creek Road, Stevensville, MD 21666.