BUXTON – Robert “Wayne” Jose, age 87, passed away on February 2, 2026,
after several compromising health issues.
He was born in Biddeford, Maine on March 26,1938, the second son of the late
Lawrence and Verna Jose.
After graduating from Buxton High School, he attended Southern Maine Community
College. He later married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Usher.
Wayne worked as a lineman for Central Maine Power Company for 10 years and then
went on to work for The New England Telephone Company for 25 years. He devoted
himself to working hard, often holding multiple jobs, to ensure his family was always
cared for. After retiring in 1995, he and his wife traveled extensively across the country
in their fifth wheel, including a memorable trip to Alaska. They later became snowbirds,
spending 29 winters in Florida to escape the cold Maine winters.
He is predeceased by his brothers Lawrence Howard Jose Jr, who passed in 1994 and
David Alan Jose who passed in 2023.
Wayne enjoyed all sports, especially football, auto racing, and baseball, and he was a
devoted fan of the New England Patriots. On a Saturday night you could find him in the
grandstands at Beechridge Motor speedway watching his grandson race. He excelled
as a high school basketball player and later found great joy in coaching his daughters’
softball teams. While his love of sports ran deep, it paled in comparison to the love he
had for his wife and family.
Wayne was a member of North Congregational Church and Masonic Lodge 115 of
Buxton. In retirement he formed many cherished friendships and memories playing
cards and going out to breakfast. He will be remembered as generous, caring, and
quick-witted, with a memorable grin and a twinkle in his eye.
Wayne is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Joyce (Usher) Jose; his daughters-
Deborah Johnson and her husband, Stuart, of Dayton; Tamara Dow and her husband,
Scott, of Buxton; Sandra Jose of Standish; and Susan Ward and her husband, James,
of Buxton; as well as eleven grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.
One of his favorite songs by Tim McGraw was “Humble and Kind”, a fitting reflection of
who he was and the way he lived his life.
A graveside service will be held on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 12:00 noon at Highland
Cemetery behind North Congregational Church, 22 Churchill Road, Buxton (Groveville), followed by a Celebration of Life.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saint Judes Children’s Hospital or North Congressional Church, 22 Churchill Road, Buxton, Maine 04093.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com