Wilbur Ernest Wolf
Westbrook - Wilbur Ernest Wolf, retired registered nurse, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, September 15th, 2014 at Springbrook Center in Westbrook, surrounded by loving family members.
He was born on February 7, 1932, on his father’s dairy farm in Penfield, New York. He is the youngest son of Theodore Edgar Lewis Wolf and Emily Louise Schultz Wolf. Wilbur grew up in Penfield, and graduated from Penfield High School in 1950. He worked on his father’s farm until he married his high school sweetheart, Donna Lee Erklenz, on September 5, 1953.
Wilbur graduated from Luther College in Teaneck, New Jersey with aspirations of becoming a Lutheran minister. He chose a parallel career instead, and graduated from Rockland School of Nursing in Suffern, New York, in 1966.
Following opportunities in nursing, Wilbur moved his family from New Jersey to Cooperstown New York in 1969 where he worked at Imogene Basset Hospital, and in 1973 to Bar Harbor Maine to work at MDI Hospital. In Maine Wilbur also worked at Sonagee, BMHI, was Director of Nurses at Summit House, and worked for the State of Maine inspecting health care facilities.
After retiring from nursing in 1994, Wilbur spent time tuning pianos, rebuilding pump organs, doing carpentry projects and gardening. He greatly enjoyed playing jigs and reels on the piano and “making music” with his good friend, Ralph Stanley. Wilbur shared his marvelous bass voice in church choirs, self-published a book of memoirs of growing up on a farm, and was an expert draftsman, drawing buildings from memory in perfect perspective. Wilbur had a special love of cats and had many feline companions during his life. Wilbur had a great love for his God, his family, and life. His gentle way was led by a positive spirit which inspired all those who knew him.
Wilbur leaves behind his wife Donna Lee Erklenz Wolf, and 3 daughters, Robin Wolf Donovan, Airin Chris Wolf, and Phyllis Wolf Wilkins. There are also 2 sons in law, Randy Bradford Donovan, and Timothy Sartin Wilkins, as well as a daughter in law Christine Cannell Wolf. His four grandchildren are Jacob G. Donovan, Katherine T. Donovan, Alexandra Reid Wilkins, and Olivia Browning Wilkins. His is survived by a brother Albert Wolf and sister in law Bernice Wolf, and also 2 sisters in law, Nancy Erklenz Montgomery, and Sandra Ward Erklenz, as well as several nieces and nephews. Wilbur’s sister Marjorie predeceased him.
A service of remembrance will be held in the Chapel of Cathedral of St. Luke, 143 State Street Portland Maine on Saturday October 11, 2014 at 3pm.
Online condolences may be expressed below.
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