PARSONSFIELD- Wayne Royce Pillsbury, 90, long time resident of The Maine Veteran’s Home in Scarborough, passed easily in the care of those he would grow to consider as family on Wednesday, Nov 21st, 2018.
Wayne was born in Limington and grew up in Kezar Falls after careers in both the Army and Air Force, retiring in 1971. During his career served as a Military Policeman, and later as a Finance Specialist and was stationed in Alaska, Germany, Libya and a few other spots stateside.. As a young boy he worked on the family farm, and his diary chronicles hunting deer or turkey for Thanksgiving with his father, fishing for brook trout for breakfast behind the house, pruning apple trees, felling trees for firewood, getting in hay for the milk cows, skiing by moonlight in the fields and forest, skating on the Ossipee river, and cutting ice from the pond to be packed in sawdust in the ice-house. This ice was necessary for making his beloved ice cream in the summers before electricity was available .
Wayne was an excellent student and his science projects and notebooks reflect his curiosity, attention to detail, and appreciation for the natural world. A small diary of his contains the musings of a 12 year old boy who was very aware and involved with the world around him. A quiet man of reserved thoughtfulness and simple conversation, he was a loyal friend and always willing to lend a helping hand. We know him as a lover of nature, comfortable in the woods and on the farm. Although he enjoyed the solitary life of a bachelor after his parents passing, he welcomed and enjoyed visits from friends and relatives, and was known to drop in unannounced, much to the pleasure of all concerned . Wayne maintained the family home and property with an eye to simplicity and order; grooming the piney woods, tending the lawns, and feeding the flock of crows with whom he engaged in daily dialogue.
Lanky and well over six feet tall, Wayne could carry on a conversation while making wood-splitting look like a game of pick-up sticks. His many nieces and nephews experienced a thrilling perspective riding high on his broad shoulders. They knew they were in for a treat when they visited him, as he would inevitably offer a ride to Hiram Creamery for an ice cream cone, bouncing over the stomach-turning thank-you ma’ams that would forever remain unreported to anxious parents.
Motorcycles were a life-long interest of his, and a crash or two did not deter his enthusiasm. He was always interested in what one might be driving, and was known to make a spontaneous purchase or trade of a vehicle if a good deal came his way. The loss of his ability to drive due to advancing Parkinson’s disease was a bitter pill for Wayne, but he handled life’s inevitable changes with acceptance and a sense of humor.
We miss you, Wayne. Your gentleness, your wry wit, your unique food cravings and your humble ways have enriched our lives and tickled our heartstrings.
May you rest in Peace.
A graveside service will be held on Friday May 10 at 1 PM at Riverside Cemetery in Cornish
Memorial contributions can be made to the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough, 290 US RT 1, Scarborough, Maine 04074
Arrangements are with Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, Cornish, www.mainefuneral.com