Elmer Fred Degon Jr.

AUGUSTA -- Elmer Fred Degon Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather died at home on May 10, 2011, following a brief illness, with his family by his side. He was 92. The life of Elmer Degon is one of love of family, enthusiasm for life, joy in learning and doing new things, and embracing life with enjoyment, never tackling anything with less than all he had to give. This is but a brief glimpse into the life of a wonderful man.

Elmer was born Oct. 11, 1918, in Bridgeport, Conn., to Elmer Fred Degon Sr. and Justine Rose Degon. He was their only child. His father was killed in an airplane crash in Panama while serving in the military when Elmer was 2 years of age. His mother later married Elmer Sr.'s brother, Charles Degon, who had a son, Robert. The two boys were raised in the New York and Connecticut area until their teens. At that time, Charles and Justine purchased Mountain View Farm on Bolton Hill in Augusta and moved there with Elmer and close grandparents Arthur and Ida Lyon.

Elmer graduated from Cony High School in 1936 and attended the University of Connecticut for two years. He worked at Hayden's Store for a time before he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941. He loved flying and was a real cowboy in the small planes, but was not able to overcome air sickness when training on the big bombers. He was honorably discharged, but in 1944 he was drafted and returned to active duty. His love of flying led to work in a school of navigation in Studio City, Calif., where he taught and later co-authored the book Practical Manual of E-6B Computer with Allan C. Zweng.

On Oct. 30, 1942, he married Katherine Stevens and they lived for two and a half years in Sherman Oaks, Calif. After World War II ended, they returned to Augusta, where they made their home. They have lived in their present home for over 50 years. Their home has been a labor of love as Elmer extensively remodeled, rebuilt and re-engineered the home and property. In addition to remodeling the house and landscaping the property, Elmer was a prolific gardener, growing an extensive variety of fruit and vegetables. He had many customers, family and friends who eagerly awaited the year's crop of blueberries, raspberries and other produce. In the fall of 2010, he and his wife 'put up' 90 jars (six varieties) of pickles as well as canning 47 jars of tomatoes.

Elmer was a tireless worker, being both capable and energetic. He was the owner of Maine Pool Co. for a few years in the 60's and 70's, building and maintaining swimming pools in central and coastal Maine. In the 1950's, he was very active in the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees). He enjoyed his time in the Jaycees and was actively involved in a number of projects. In the 1960's, while son Robert played football for Cony, Elmer could be found in the announcer's booth announcing the games for WFAU radio.

He worked in the construction field for many years prior to becoming the director of Public Works for the City of Augusta, a position he held for over 20 years, until his retirement in the 1980's.

Elmer began taking courses at the University of Maine in Augusta to complete his college degree. He received his bachelor of arts degree in mathematics in 1976 and then went on to achieve his master in public administration in 1979. Elmer loved teaching and taught part time at UMA for a period of time, teaching labor relations and math classes.

Elmer enjoyed several hobbies throughout his life. As a photographer, he was able to capture family trips and vacations on film. This expanded to include becoming the unofficial event photographer for the Augusta Civic Center when it first opened in 1973 and he covered a number of concerts including Ann Murray and Elvis. Following his retirement, he started a stamp business which led to several years of stamp shows, Internet sales and correspondence with other collectors around the country. Elmer was known for his talent in woodworking, making a number of reproduction antique pieces which grace his home in Augusta as well as the homes of family members. He recently received his 55-year pin from the Masons (Bethlehem Lodge No. 35). Elmer has been a member of Penny Memorial United Baptist Church for over 60 years. He served in many capacities including: Sunday school as a teacher and as superintendent; church treasurer for eight years; and on the boards of Finance and Trustees. He was on the board of the Good Shepherd Learning Center, helping to get the center up and running efficiently.

Family was of great importance to Elmer and so family vacations were a must. Camping trips to Baxter State Park were the beginning of these trips and many peaks were scaled. As the length of the trips grew, so did the territory explored until much of the eastern seaboard and eastern Canadian provinces were visited. In later years, he and Katherine made two trips to Europe, England and the Netherlands.

For all he accomplished in his life, Dad always said that his proudest accomplishment and joy was his family. Elmer is survived by his wife of 68 years, and five children: Robert and his wife, Carol, of Oregon,; Martha (Mardi) Ridlon and her husband, Walter, of Lewiston, Jane Martin and her husband, Dennis, of West Gardiner, Margaret Carr and her husband, Roderic, of Raymond, and Steven and his wife, Diana, of Massachusetts. Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Amy Degon, Megan Wilson, Steven Wilson and wife, Stacey, Benjamin Squires and his companion, Sarah Dunham, Sara Squires and her husband, Michael, Emily Squires and her fiancé, Alejandro Muniz III, and Elizabeth Squires Posey and her husband, John. He also has two step-grandchildren, Amie Deutch, her husband, Zach, and their three children John, Grant and Natasha, and Nikolas Gonthier. He has one great-grandchild, Lindsay Wilson.

He is also survived by a cousin, Charlotte Carr, and her husband, James, of Massachusetts; and by Gary and Mary Degon of Cape Cod. He was predeceased by his parents; his stepbrother, Robert; brother-in-law John Stevens, with whom he was close; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family is grateful for the care Elmer received while at Augusta Rehabilitation Center and the home care by Health Reach Hospice whose support was invaluable. The family would like to extend a special thank-you to Dr. Gene Cheng, who was Elmer's physician for several years.

Visiting hours will be at Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home, One Church St., Augusta, on Friday, May 13, from 7 to 9 p.m. A celebration of Elmer's life will be held at Penney Memorial, 393 Water St., Augusta, on Saturday, May 14, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Rick Moore officiating. Burial with full military honors will occur at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Mount Vernon Road on May 24 at 10 a.m. for family members. Memorial contributions may be made to the Penney Memorial United Baptist Church Memorial Fund, (address above) or the Good Shepherd Learning Center at the same address.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.