Wilcox, Joseph S., 90, February 15, 2014. Calling hours are from 12 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Bowers Funeral Home, Houlton. A graveside funeral service will be held in the spring. Arrangements by Bowers Funeral Home, Houlton.
HOULTON – Joseph Sherman Wilcox, 90, died peacefully on February 15, 2014, after a long illness. Joe was born October 23, 1923, to Florence and Sherman Wilcox at the family home in the Wilcox Settlement, Cary Plantation.
Joe was a member of the Houlton High School class of 1943. He enrolled in the US Army soon after graduating from high school and participated in the invasion of Normandy as a member of the US infantry. He was awarded a purple heart for wounds sustained a few weeks later during a battle near the French and Belgium border. After returning to Maine, Joe graduated in 1950 from Ricker College and began his teaching career at Patten Academy. Joe continued his teaching career at Katahdin High School until retiring in 1986. Joe loved being a teacher and was proud of all his students at Katahdin High School. Throughout his retirement, he enjoyed seeing and hearing from his former students and colleagues. After retiring, Joe continued to care for the family farm in Cary. He enjoyed gardening and working in the woods with his dogs by his side. Joe loved his farm, his dogs, the Boston Red Sox, and his friends and family.
He is survived by his two brothers, Jasper Wilcox of Houlton and Orono and Benjamin Wilcox of Houlton; many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, great-grand nieces and great-grand-nephews in Maine and around the country. Though Joe had no children of his own, he always played a supportive role in the lives of his nieces, nephews and their families. He was lovingly known as Uncle Joe to his family and will be sadly missed by all. He was predeceased by both of his parents and his four sisters, Ruth Austin, Madeline Carroll, Opal Young, and Florence Sager.
Friends may call 12-2:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 20 at Bowers Funeral Home, 10 Water Street, Houlton. A graveside funeral service will be held in the spring at the Wilcox Cemetery in Cary Plantation.
In lieu of flowers, friends and family can make a donation in Joe’s name to a student scholarship fund or animal shelter of your choice. For an online memory book and to leave condolences please visit www.bowersfuneral.com
