Richard Fox

FRYEBURG — Richard Rowland “Dick” Fox, 94, of Fryeburg, passed away surrounded by family on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017 at the Bridgton Hospital.

Born in Harmony on October 6, 1922, he was the son of Elmer E. Fox and Ethel C. Webster Fox.

Dick moved with his father and sister, Marjorie to Stoneham during high school. He graduated from Fryeburg Academy in the class of 1941. He was drafted and proudly served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He worked in the motor pool and baked and delivered bread behind the lines. He came home to marry his high school sweetheart, Anna Nutter on March 29, 1943. They enjoyed 67 years of marriage before her passing Oct. 18, 2010.

Dick worked with his father and grandfather logging with a team of horses, running logs on the Saco River and in the slab mill in North Lovell. He farmed for Phil Andrews until he and Anna bought their farm on Fish Street in 1948; bringing baby Alan to his new home and sisters. He went on to raise an award-winning herd of Holsteins. He was a Maine Green Pastures winner in 1953. During his farming years, he was always ready to step in at a barn raising and became adept at dismantling and reassembling barns, including his own on Fish Street.

Dick was a charter member and the Fire Chief for Saco Valley Fire Department. He owned a red and white Chevy station wagon to transport his large family. He eventually put a red light on top and used it often to transport injured or sick neighbors and family to local hospitals. This led him to join his friends and neighbors in establishing the Fryeburg Rescue Squad. Dick proudly served the squad for many years. And he was extremely proud to be the clerk-of-the-works when money was raised to move operations to Route 302 and build their new building. He would often remind everyone, they did it with NO tax dollars.

Dick was a lifetime member of the Maine Farm Bureau, serving in various official capacities with Anna during their farming years. He was a lifetime member of Fryeburg Fair, serving as a trustee since 1963. He was awarded the Fryeburg Distinguished Alumni Award in 1993.

When farming became less profitable, Dick sold his herd and worked as manager for Green Thumb Farms. When Donnie became older and took over for the family business, Dick went to work in the building business. He worked with Billy Robbins and Paul Haley, to name a few. He decided to start his own business. He and his son Ken established Fox & Sons LLC and began another career moving and jacking barns and buildings. He “retired” and handed the business over to his son Ken and nephew Jeff Blake but continued to supervise into his 93rd year.

Able to stay in his own home until his fall on Sept. 9, he especially loved watching his grandson, Joel Blake and wife Angie farming his land with his great-grandsons.

Dick was predeceased by his wife Anna; brothers Webster Fox and baby Gerald Fox; sisters Ida Briggs and Ruth Powers; his grandson, Craig Thurston and daughter-in-law Susan Harnden Fox; and his parents.

He is survived by his seven children: Judith (Bob) Chase, Joyce (Fred) Kennett, Jean Blake, Alan (Janet) Fox, Thomas (Clara) Fox, Kenneth Fox, and Karen (Larry) Grey. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren and spouses, and 17 great-grandchildren; plus many loving nieces and nephews, but especially Webster L. Fox and Kathy P. Nichols.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 23, in the Expo Center on the Fryeburg Fairgrounds. Family and friends are invited to call from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 22 at the Wood Funeral Home, 9 Warren St., Fryeburg. Interment will be at the Riverside Cemetery in North Fryeburg.

Family asks that in lieu of flowers to please consider a donation in Dick’s memory to the Fryeburg Rescue, P.O. Box 177, Fryeburg, ME 04037; the Saco Valley Fire Department, 148 North Fryeburg Rd., Fryeburg, ME 04037; or a charity of your choice. Online condolences and tributes may be shared with Dick’s family at www.woodfuneralhome.org