Dwight Derwood Wilcox
WILCOX, Dwight Derwood, 73, MAPLETON, May 4, 2012. A celebration of his life will be held at a committal service at Fairmount Cemetery in Presque Isle at 11 a.m. on Sat., May 12. Arrangements are by Duncan-Graves Funeral Homes, Presque Isle.
MAPLETON – Dwight Derwood Wilcox, 73, passed away Friday, May 4, 2012. Dwight was born in Presque Isle, November 27, 1938, to Lawrence and Estelle Monahan Wilcox.
He graduated in 1957 from Presque Isle High School and attended Farmington State Teachers College. He married his best friend and life partner, Gloria Brayson Wilcox, on November 12, 1960. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2010 with a week-long celebration in Phippsburg, ME, with family and friends.
A well-known and respected businessman in Presque Isle for many years, Dwight began his career at Retail Credit Company before opening the Wilcox Insurance Agency with his wife in 1973, and later Wilcox Real Estate. He also opened and co-owned Arby’s Restaurant for 20 years.
Dwight (also known as “Whitey” to his friends and family) was an honest businessman, loving husband and devoted father and grandfather. He treasured time with family at home, at the family camp in Portage Lake or wherever their lives brought them together. He was happiest with Gloria by his side and a steady stream of family and friends in his daily life. Dwight was a skilled carpenter, helping build or renovate their multiple homes and camps and crafting many special projects for his children and grandchildren.
He enjoyed family camping vacations in earlier years and since retiring 10 years ago, has enjoyed numerous trips to Florida in the winter where he and Gloria connected with many Maine friends. In the summertime, he found peace in the company of loved ones and the many visitors who would accompany him as he joyously captained his pontoon boat around Portage Lake.
He was his children’s biggest fan at sporting events and school programs, and continued that tradition by proudly attending his grandchildren’s many activities. For Dwight, family always came first.
Dwight is predeceased by his parents; his sister, Wyona Reynolds; brother, Kendall Wilcox; and half-brother, Lawrence Wilcox.
He is survived by his wife, Gloria; their three children: Michelle Wilcox Ewing and her husband, Neil of Presque Isle; their son, Mark Wilcox and his wife, Kim of Mapleton; and their daughter, Monica Wilcox Charette and her husband, Randy of Oakland, ME. He has six grandchildren, whom he loved and cherished in his life: Jay and Desiree Luzzi; Kacey and Karson Wilcox; and Cassidy and Colby Charette; as well as two great-grandchildren, Anthony and Addyson Luzzi. He is also survived by two caring brothers, Gerald Wilcox and his wife, Maureen of Hermon, and Kermit Wilcox and his companion, Shirley Umphrey of Waterville; as well as several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of his life will be held at a committal service at Fairmount Cemetery in Presque Isle at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, followed by a reception immediately afterwards at the Chapman Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club, 94 Town Hall Road in Chapman. The family requests that donations in Dwight’s name be made to the House of Comfort, P.O. Box 766, Presque Isle, ME 04769. Arrangements are in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.duncan-graves.com.
