CHAPMAN AND CARIBOU — Lloyd E. Wardwell Sr., 86, passed away peacefully April 20, 2017, with his children by his side at Caribou. He was born at home on a hot summer day, August 24, 1930, in Colby Siding, the son of the late Alfred and Bernice (Hazlet) Wardwell. At the age of thirteen, he moved to Perham, where his Dad bought the family farm, and he worked with his siblings on the family farm. During the winter months, Lloyd and his family worked in logging camps.
On October 4, 1952, Lloyd married the love of his life, Thelma Watson. On October 17, 1952, he was drafted into the US Army and went to Korea. He was enlisted until 1954. Lloyd held various jobs over the years and in 1965 he bought his own farm in Chapman, bringing with him, his wife and seven children, two more were born after the family moved there. In the early 1970’s he owned and operated Lloyd’s Small Engine Repair in Presque Isle. Following that, he went back to work in the woods, driving dozer for J. Paul Levesque and Sons, where he could scout out the best fishing holes or where the deer might be in the fall. His last adventure was with Alton McQuade and Son, where he helped build the Mars Hill Golf course and work on the Mars Hill ski tow.
Lloyd loved the outdoors and still cut his own firewood up until age 85. Many will remember the finely crafted ash baskets he loved to make. He loved camping and fishing with his family and buddies. He loved to garden and would always say “Don’t plant anything you can’t eat.”
He is survived by his children, Juanita Campagna of Madawaska, Darlene and husband Sheldon Espling, of Caribou, Peggy Lagasse and partner Rich Harvey, of Mapleton, Bonnie and Robert Burnett of Chapman, Kenneth Wardwell of Fairbanks, AK, Lloyd Wardwell, Jr., of Mapleton, and Darin and Kim Wardwell, of Fairbanks, AK, 18 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, four great great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Philip of Perth, NB, and Galen of Danforth, a sister, Roberta Jacobs of Florida, a brother-in-law, Clifford Watson, sister-in-laws, Patty Watson, Beatrice Spinney, Winnie Smith, and Mary Wardwell. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Thelma, a daughter, Sylvia Hemingway, a son, David Wardwell Sr., a grandson, Frank Tracy Jr., an infant great-grandson, a sister, Betty Wardwell, a brother, Robert Wardwell, four sons-in-law, Albert Hemingway, Ron Lagasse, Jens Hunter, and Phil Campagna, a brother-in-law, Fred Jacobs, two sisters-in-law, Hilda Wardwell, and Barbara Wardwell, in-laws, Charles Watson, Archie and Bertha Levesque, Phil Spinney, Harold and Marcella Doody, and Marylin Watson.
Friends called at the Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir Street, Caribou, Sunday, April 23, 2017, from 1:00 p.m., until time of services which were held at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Sam Morton, officiating. Friends who wish to contribute in memory of Lloyd may do so through the Maine Veterans Home Memorial Fund, 163 Van Buren Road Suite 2, Caribou, ME 04736. www.mocklerfuneralhome.com
