Roland Austin "Rollie" Wilbur Jr.

Ellsworth
Roland "Rollie" Austin Wilbur Jr. passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, July 3, 2024, doing what he so loved to do, singing with his band, "Phoenix" at Jordan's Snack Bar "Cruise In" in Ellsworth. His beloved family, friends and fans are heartbroken, but all agree, sad as it is, his place of departure could not be more fitting.
Rollie was born in Ellsworth on May 9,1962 to Carolyn Eva (Edgecomb) Wilbur and Roland "Ropie" Austin Wilbur Sr. He grew up in Waltham with his much adored parents, sister, grandparents and extended family. He was a Boy Scout and 4H member. He had many stories of adventures and loved to tell stories including summiting Katahdin. He attended Cave Hill School through 8th grade, then EHS In Ellsworth, graduating in 1980.
As a child he loved to play baseball and was an amazing pitcher and shared that talent pitching with his EHS baseball team. He was also on the wrestling team. He was the son of a woodcutter, and it was in his blood. He started cutting wood at a young age and would sometimes haul a load of wood into town and drop it off at the lumber yard before school. He cut wood with his Dad, cousins Greg Jordan and Ross Edgecomb and many others. He bought 2 skidders and worked them for years. Other notable jobs included pressman at the Ellsworth American, landscape foreman for two prominent companies, land & home maintenance, plowing, logging, and "gigging" with his band "Phoenix". He excelled at creating beauty whether it be landscaping, stonework, cutting granite, painting, or his passion, making music.
Rollie had many talents and being humble to a fault, minimized them, always. He loved many things, including: his black lab "Phoenix", visiting with the horses and wildlife daily, swimming, kayaking, fishing and hunting but perhaps the greatest love of all besides his people, was singing country music. In his teens his love of singing and country music took hold. He was a self-taught guitar player and the dream was to be a vocal performer. He sang and played guitar on Stacey's Country Jamboree and began to sit in with local bands. His first stage performances were with Danny Harper and soon after with the Gary Mitchell Band. Both offered him the opportunity to share the stage and his music. After singing with Gary for several years, Rosie Hodgdon invited him to join the" Misty Fever" Band. The American Legion Hall in Southwest Harbor became like home for a few years. Next, he was asked to be lead singer for the "City Lights" Band. He seized the opportunity. His bookings and public appeal grew greatly. As often happens over time, greater success led to added pressures within the band. Rollie sensed change calling. One night, with a full year of bookings ahead, he made a decision to walk away. He told his wife, "This is my last night. I'm going in to play, then when I'm all packed up, I'm telling the band I'm done. I've made my decision." She said, "Are you sure?" And he said he was. She replied, "Okay. And tomorrow you're starting your new band, "Phoenix" - as in "out of the ashes." And that is exactly what they did together 30 years ago.
Rollie loved his wife dearly. They were the best of friends and a fierce dedication to one another existed between them. Rollie and Becky had a running joke about how he had "pined for an Ellsworth Falls girl named, "Becky." Their first date was 4/2/1979. Their second date was June 1986. This 7 year pause preceded what would later be the happiest days of his life. He married Becky (Rebecca-aka "Buckwheat") Maddocks on Valentines Day, 2/14/1987. And the first of 5 children, Payden, arrived 4/2/1988 - exactly 9 years from their first date! Rollie felt incredibly blessed to have 3 daughters and 2 sons. He was so very proud of everything they did and even more so with who they were. Rollie adored his children immeasurably, and likewise, as the grand babies arrived, his heart was overflowing! His love of family defies description. He attended all the T-Ball games, dance recitals, church pageants, swim meets, soccer games, art shows, show choir and performing arts activities, 4H horse shows, Boy Scout activities and more. He was there for his children and grandchildren and loved it!
Rollie served his church on several boards and supported it in many ways over the years. He was extremely proud that his son Payden recently became Pastor at the UCC of Ellsworth Falls. Also, recently, he delighted in going to Speedway 95 to watch his nephew, Jason Berry, race his truck. He was tearful last year in the final race of the season when Jason captured his first win. He was incredibly proud and felt it an honor to witness this.
Rollie was a loving, kind man. He could not bear the mistreatment of anyone, especially children. He was a dedicated son who spent the last couple years providing much care and companionship to his loving Mom, Carolyn as she rehabilitated from several medical issues. He visited with her several days a week and called numerous times each day to check in. Daily, he watched his friends, the deer and fawn playing in the fields or at the edge of the woods. They did not fear him. In the days following his passing, the family saw deer every day for a week. It was no coincidence.
Rollie faced cardiac issues very young. Starting in 2003 when his youngest child was just 6 months old and ending on 7/3/2024 - 21 years later. His courage and bravery were ever present. He never complained about what he went through medically. He walked on and kept silent. He did not put anything on his children or family and struggled to limit his physical work to match his medical needs. He was a provider, and he always found a way to provide.
Rollie cannot be defined in words, nor can his essence be described adequately. He was an artist and music was his language. To love him was more than just loving the great man he was. His family lived and shared in his world of music, and it ran through everyone. Losing him is losing the songs of life that he enveloped everyone within. To look at him in one of many photos with the spark in his loving eyes, and an expression that was wild, strong and free - it is impossible to think of life without him. He was our favorite outlaw and classic Country singer and the best Dad, son, husband, uncle and "Opa" you could ever hope to have.
He is survived by his Mom, Carolyn Wilbur, his sister Susan Berry (Bob) and son Jason Berry and his daughter, Jasmine; His wife of 37 ½ years, Rebecca (Becky) and his children Payden Maddocks-Wilbur, his wife Chelsea and son Robin, his daughter Cheyenne Smith and husband Mark, and their children Annabelle Joyce, Kowen Lee, and Isaac Roland; his son Justice Maddocks-Wilbur; his daughter KIana Maddocks-Wilbur and partner Mark Graves of Presque Isle, and his youngest daughter Seneca Maddocks-Wilbur. He would want his band, Gerry, Bob and Joe to be acknowledged. They were rock solid for him for many years, and he loved them. Also, his daughters, Kiana and Seneca played and sang with him - a treat to his heart. Also, fine musicians that have supported him include Phil K., Kevin O., Jamie C, Judd C., and many others.
Rollie was predeceased by his father, "Ropie" his Uncle Kenny, Grandparents Roland E. & Beatrice (Giles) Wilbur, Doris (Frost) Edgecomb, Bernard Edgecomb, and his much-loved in-laws, Joyce and Irving "Froggy" Maddocks, as well as his birthday buddy, brother-in-law, David Maddocks.
Friends are invited to call is 1-2pm on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth where funeral services will follow at 2pm.
The family suggests those who desire may make contributions in Rollie's memory to the Union Congregational Church of Ellsworth Falls, P.O. Box 635, Ellsworth, ME 04605 or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX, 75284-0692.
Condolence may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com