Joseph Elwin Wilcox

WOODLAND - Joseph Elwin Wilcox, 82, passed away on April 16, 2024 at the family farm where he grew up. Born on May 24, 1941, the second son of Glen and Evelyn Wilcox (both deceased), he is survived by sisters Dawn Soucy, and her spouse Chris, and Marie Newell. Eldest child Glenwood Wilcox also is deceased. At age 16, Joseph eloped to Canada with Linda Devoe (deceased) of Caribou. They had four children: Yancy Wilcox, fraternal twins Annette Boucher (deceased) and Nanette Atherton, and Laurette Bellerive. He later remarried, Rosetta St. Peter; both are survived by her children: Carla, Craig, and Tamara (Tami) Jordon (all). 

Joseph boasted having lived to see seven generations of the family, including his grandparents who purchased the farm in 1895. Surviving nephews and nieces: Carrie, Daniel, Glen, Lisa, and Robert. Deborah is deceased. Nine grandchildren: Ben, Brian, David, Elisa, Lisa, Lynnae, Mark, Molly, and Nicole. Ten great-grandchildren: Aiden, Akhyla, Ayden, Brice, Brielle, Cerridwen, Charlotte, Jacob, Reiley, and Tucker. One great-great grandchild: Sunny. 

As a young father, Joseph was an avid outdoorsman, hunting and fishing with his brother and the troupe they would eventually call the Falls Brook Rangers. The group spent summers in the Allagash wilderness when it was rugged, inaccessible, and unknown; the area is now more of a tourist destination. Joseph once shot the largest black bear on record in the State of Maine, a feat for which he was quite proud. During his thirties, he started shooting wildlife with a camera, rather than a rifle. Nevertheless, he remained a proud gun owner and concealed permit holder for the remainder of his life. 

As an older gentleman, he returned to his Protestant family roots after going to church service on Christmas Eve 1988. A decade later, he rededicated his life to the Lord more resolutely. Joseph attended the Intervention Church, where he was known for consistent tithing and generosity. 

The family would like to humbly, and graciously, thank co-pastors Matthew and Kathy Palmer—and other members of the congregation—whose 24/7 support allowed Joseph to pass away with dignity in his own home. Their parental kindness brought his life full circle: Joseph’s parents fostered dozens of other children over several decades during his youth. His life started in an atmosphere of care and love and ended that way because of his church family.