FARMINGTON – Linwood E. Stickney, 78, of Wilton, died early Tuesday, March 21, at Franklin Memorial Hospital after a short illness, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born Oct. 17, 1927, the son of Abner Stickney and Ellen Girardin. He was an avid lover of stock car racing and spent the last 30 years side by side with his son, Mike racing at Wiscasset, Unity and Oxford Plains Speedway. When they weren’t racing, they were watching NASCAR on TV, bowling, or at the horse racing track. Mr. Stickney was a World War II veteran.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Peggie of Wilton; two daughters, Brenda Devault of Wilton and Susan Braun and her husband, Jeff, of Steep Falls; a son, Michael Stickney of Wilton; two sisters, Mildred Gordon of Wilton and Olive Gardner and her husband, Ted, of East Dixfield; a brother, Edward Girardin of East Dixfield; a sister-in-law, Virginia Stickney of Mexico; six grandchildren, Robert Neuschwanger and his wife, Liz, of Wilton, Tammy Berrigan and her husband, John, of Charleston, S.C., Todd Burnham and his wife, Jen, of Standish, Jeremy Braun and wife, Jen, of Steep Falls, Kelly Hewett of Fayette and Jamie Braun of Steep Falls; and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by a brother, Guy Stickney.