LEWISTON — Horace “Honk” Worcester, 82, of Highland Terrace in Mexico, beloved husband and father, passed away Thursday, July 28, at Central Maine Medical Center with his wife by his side.

He was born in Mexico, Oct. 25, 1928, the son of Horace and Margarite (Harris) Worcester. He attended school in Mexico and worked in the Oxford Mill for a short time, then attended and graduated from East Coast Arial Tech in Bedford, Mass. He was married to Viola Diana Cormier in Saint John’s Church in Rumford on June 20, 1950.

During World War II, he served as an aviation machinist mate in the Panama Canal Zone. He was employed as a flight mechanic for Southern Airways in Atlanta, Ga.

Honk started work for the Sikorsky Aircraft Co. in Connecticut in 1950, and spent the next 28 years as a crew chief in the Experimental Helicopter Section helping to perfect and test new designs for the helicopters.

During the flood of 1955, Honk rescued 45 people by being lowered down on a hoist cable from a helicopter hovering overhead. Honk’s actions during that emergency earned him the coveted “Winged S” Rescue Pin which is awarded to an elite group of Sikorsky employees that used helicopters to save lives.

In 1978, Honk and Viola moved to West Palm Beach, Fla., where he took charge of the second shift for the whole facility that was making the new Sikorsky -76 Helicopter. After eight years, Honk retired, completing 35 years of service for Sikorsky Aircraft Co.

Honk’s lifetime love of flying started at the age of 14. He learned to fly at the Rollins Airport. He was at one point the youngest pilot in Maine, having been taught to fly by the The Flying Tiger “Ace” Johnny Hanson.

He was a life member of the VFW. Honk also volunteered a lot of time helping to restore the Mexico Historical Society’s building.

His greatest loves in life were his family, vacationing to Alaska, Europe, Cambodia and Burma, living in Thailand, flying his own planes, motorcycle trips on his Gold Wing with his wife, fishing and hunting with his sons, and flea markets.

He loved to go to McDonald’s and talk to their friends.

A devoted husband of 61 years, he is survived by his sons, Horace and wife, Cecelia, of Tennessee, Nery and wife, Linda, of Rumford and Bob and wife, Noo, of Florida; and grandchildren, Savannah, Peter, Melanie and April.

You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with the Worcester family by visiting their guest book at www.SGThibaultFuneralHome.com.