Webster Fox

OAKLAND -- Webster Fox, 93, died Friday Aug. 28, 2009, at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Waterville.

He was born in Lovell, Maine, on March 23, 1916, the son of Elmer and Ethel (Webster) Fox.

Webster began work at an early age, taking over his father's milk route. He worked for Bath Iron Works during World War II. He drove a truck for St. Johnsbury Trucking until he lost his leg. In 1947 he received auto repair training in Hallowell and went to work for Central Maine Motors in Waterville. He later opened his own business on Alpine Street in Oakland and was self-employed for many years.

He was a longtime resident of Oakland and spent the last few winters with his daughter in Virginia. Webster led an active life, and was a member of the Oakland-Sidney United Methodist Church and the Lynde Lodge AF & AM of Hermon. His true love was flying. He learned to fly in his late 40s and flew his final flight for his 90th birthday. He attended several fly-ins in Florida, North Carolina and Wisconsin, where he received an award for the oldest long-distance flyer. He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, Norridgewock Chapter. In his earlier years, he was an avid snowmobiler, hunter and fisherman. One of his favorite pastimes was meeting friends at the Early Bird Restaurant in Oakland.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Mary. Surviving are two sons; Webster L. Fox and wife Sandra of Fryeburg, and James Richard Fox and wife Nancy of Surry; a daughter, M. Caroline Fox Martin, and husband Brian of Suffolk, Va., a brother, Richard Fox, and wife Anna of Fryeburg; four sisters, Ida Briggs of Hartland, Marjorie Jordon of Veazie, Ruth Powers of Hartland, and Virginia Peterson and husband Levi of Lakeland, Fla.; brother-in-law Galen Leathers and wife Ruth of Roseville, N.M.; and sister-in-law Jean Leathers of Arlington, Va. His grandchildren include Marcus Fox and wife Paige, Bonnie Gagne, Nancy Martin Tuck and husband Mark, Jeffrey Martin and wife Carla, and Heather Fox; His great-grandchildren are Nicolaus Fox, Kendra Fox, Coty Gagne, Cassidy Gagne, Kelsey Tuck and Kaitlyn Tuck.

Webster will be missed by many special friends and several nieces and nephews.

Because of Webster's love of flying, a celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, at John Brier's Hangar at 2 LeFleur Road at Robert LaFleur Airport in Waterville. Friends are invited to visit from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the service. Following the service, there will be a gathering of family and friends at the family cottage at 135 Old Heritage Road in Oakland.

Those who wish may make memorial donations to the Oakland-Sidney United Methodist Church, School Street Oakland, ME 04963 or the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 736, c/o Michael Watson, PO Box 6354, China Village, Maine 04926

Arrangements are by Wheeler Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Oakland.