LEWISTON – Stanley S. Wagnis, 86, retired Rumford police chief, of Rumford, died Wednesday, Aug. 23, at the Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston. A lifelong resident of the area, he made his home on Spruce Street, Rumford.

He was born in Rumford on Jan. 11, 1919, the son of Joseph and Frances (Marauski) Wagnis, had attended Rumford schools and graduated in 1936 from Stephen’s High School in Rumford.

During World War II, he served as a Pfc in the U.S. Army from Sept. 25, 1942 to Nov. 12, 1945 with the 345th Engineers Regiment including Africa and Italy with the 5th Army.

Chief Wagnis was employed by the Town of Rumford for more than 35 years, and retired as Rumford’s police chief.

He was a Communicant of St. Athanasius – St. John Church; a member of Fr. Ambrose J. Barry Council No. 2091, K.of C.; Rumford Maine Lodge No. 862, B.P.O.E.; Napoleon Ouellette Post No. 24, American Legion; Robert Shand Post No. 1641, VFW; and the Police Chief’s Association.

He was married in Rumford on Dec. 31, 1945, to the former Constance M. Zanoni who died in Canton on Dec. 30, 2001.

He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Stephen (Tina) Davis of Medicine Lodge, Kan., and Ms. Liz Bertin of Windham; three grandchildren, Kenneth Davis and his wife, Amanda, of Evergreen, Co., Jason Wyman of Livermore, and Aaron Wyman of Sacramento, Calif.; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was pre-deceased by two brothers.