- Date Of Death: October 22, 2013
- State: Maine
GRAY-David E. Wilbur, Sr. 69, beloved husband, father, brother and grandfather passed away at home on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 after a brave battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family.
A life-long resident of Gray, he was born in Portland the son of Russell and Berniece Wilbur. He spent his youth in Dry Mills where at the age of 7, he and his big brother Stanley helped their parents work the blueberry fields and canning factory for H.L. Forhan.
He attended Pennell Institute where his team won two State Basketball Championships and was in the 1st class to graduate from Gray-New Gloucester High School in 1963. He served in the Air National Guard for seven years. On September 17, 1965, he married his childhood sweetheart Sheryl Walker and together they raised their three children at the Gray Game Farm (currently the Maine Wildlife Park) where he began working in 1967. As Superintendent, he was completely dedicated to the care of the animals and the well-being of the park and retired in 2001 after 35 years.
With his passion for the outdoors, he especially loved walking in the woods, working in his gardens, coaching youth baseball, playing on several men’s softball teams, golf and bird hunting with his dog Bo. He also enjoyed playing cards with Linda and Tom and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
A farmer at heart, he loved driving his own team of oxen and attending the local fairs each fall. He also enjoyed his frequent visits to Cole Farm’s counter talking with his buddies.
One of his favorite places to visit was Pembroke and Dennysville, in Downeast Maine where his family originated from.
He was predeceased by his mother and father.
He is survived by Sheryl, his wife of 47 years, his brother Stanley Wilbur of Cherryfield, son David Jr. and his wife Amy, daughter Holly Stephens and husband Michael, daughter Andrea Norwood and husband Ralph, and his 6 grandchildren, Hanna Woodbury and husband Ryan, Garrett Wilbur, Mitchell, Randall, and Holden Stephens, and Eligh Norwood, all of Gray and his nieces and nephews.
