FARMINGTON – Fernand Joseph Labbee, 78, formerly of Industry and most recently of Livermore Falls, died peacefully on Thursday, Oct. 26, at Franklin Memorial Hospital after living with prolymphocytic leukemia for two years.

Fern was born Feb. 6, 1928, in Chisholm, the third child of Donat and Emelda (Samson) Labbee. He was educated in the St. Rose parochial school and Jay public schools. While serving in the special services of the U.S. Air Force between 1946 and 1949, he received his GED.

On Sept. 3, 1949, he married Eileen Hickey of Jay. They lived in Auburn while he attended Auburn School of Commerce. When he graduated in 1951, they moved to Jay, where he built their home on Route 140. He and Eileen divorced in 1970, but remained united as they raised their daughters, Sandy and Shari.

As a young man, he worked for Rand and Moore delivering coal and ice. He became an accountant, and worked briefly at Forster Manufacturing in Dryden, and for 20 years was employed in the woodlands department office of International Paper Co. He continued to work in the accounting field when he moved to Salem, N.H., in 1970, working for the Raytheon Corporation in Andover, Mass.

He lived, worked and built his second home in Londonderry, N.H., before returning to Maine to be closer to his family. He built his third house on Federal Row in Industry and re-entered the work force, working for the Jonco Woodworking Mill, Aubuchon Hardware and doing odd carpentry jobs. After suffering a heart attack in 1992, he retired permanently to enjoy his “home in the woods.” Just over a month ago, his illness brought him to Livermore Falls, close to his native hometown roots.

In addition to creating an inviting habitat for the wildlife around his home, he connected with nature by snowshoeing and gardening. He was both an artisan and an artist, constructing from wood large projects such as his homes as well as the smaller, intricately detailed pieces such as carved animals like weasels, bears and woodsmen, rocking horses, toyboxes, cradles and workbenches. In his free time, he enjoyed cooking as well as going out for a good meal with his friend and neighbor Jack Hogan.

He is survived by his daughters and their husbands, Sandra Warren and Eddie Warren of Wilton and Shari Witham and Mark Witham of East Wilton; his grandchildren, Robert Warren, Taylor Warren and Jordan Witham; his former wife, Eileen Palmer of Farmington; one brother, Rene Labbee of Chisholm; two sisters, Evelina Caron of Livermore Falls and Sister Claire Labbee (CSJ) of Winslow.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Rosaire in 1993, Emile in 1981 and Leo this year.