CARIBOU — L. Ward Silsbee, 86, passed away unexpectedly September 7, 2016 at his Caribou residence.
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| L. Ward Silsbee |
He was born in Hornell, New York April 26, 1930, the son of the late Lewis and Charlotte (Stebbins) Silsbee. He was a graduate of Avoca High School in New York and received his Associates Degree in Frozen Food Technology from Alfred University.
He served with the U.S. Navy and was a member of the Lister-Knowlton Post 9389 VFW. Ward was employed as the quality control manager for the Birdseye Div. of General Foods in Caribou, as well as for R.T. French, Potato Service and McCain Foods. Ward was a longtime faithful member of the Gray Memorial United Methodist Church, where he served as chairman of the Board of Trustees and was a member of the United Methodist Men’s club. During his winter months in Sarasota, Florida, he attended St. James United Methodist Church, volunteered as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army, and volunteered at Doctors Hospital.
In 1971, Mr. Silsbee was awarded the Caribou Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. As a young man, Ward became involved in Scouting and advanced to become an Eagle Scout. He stayed involved with scouting his entire life and served as Scoutmaster of Troop 185 in Caribou for many years. He served on the North Star District of the Boy Scouts for many years and he was the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award, Scouting’s highest honor. He was an active, 55- year member of the Caribou Kiwanis Club, serving as president, and was recently presented with the Kiwanis Club Legion of Honor award.
Mr. Silsbee served on the Board of Directors at Cary Medical Center for a number of years and following his retirement from work, he volunteered over 1500 hours at Cary, as well as being a volunteer driver for the Aroostook RSVP. Ward married Ruth Cook and she predeceased him in 2013.
He is survived by his children, Gary Silsbee and wife Audrey and David Silsbee and partner Suzanne Parker all of Caribou and Susanne Laforge and husband Daniel of Sarasota, Fl; his grandchildren, Christopher, Michael, Heather, and Shawn Silsbee, and Garrett and Brett Laforge; two great-grandchildren, Evan and Estelle Silsbee, as well as a special friend Joanne Smith of Caribou. Mr. Silsbee was predeceased by an infant brother, Laverne.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday September 15, 2016 from the Gray Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Tim Wilcox, officiating. Following the service all are invited to meet with the family for a time of continued fellowship and refreshments in the church dining hall. Friends who wish to contribute in memory of Mr. Silsbee may do so through the Gray Memorial United Methodist Church, Memorial Fund, PO Box 69 or the Jefferson Cary Foundation, PO Box 89, Caribou, Maine 04736. Arrangements by the Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir Street, Caribou. www.mocklerfuneralhome.com.
