1919 – 2014

WILTON — Everett A. Trask, 94, of Wilton and Holiday, Fla., died peacefully on Saturday, May 31, following a long and healthy life.

Everett was born in Wilton on Sept. 12, 1919, to the late Harry E. Trask Sr. and Myrtle O. (Yerxa) Trask. He graduated from Wilton Academy in 1939, and on June 16, 1941, married his childhood sweetheart, Helen Mae (Ellsworth) Trask. Together, they raised three sons, Norman “Skip,” Brian “Bun” and Gerard “Jerry.” Everett and Helen were married for 55 years, until Helen’s death in 1997.

During World War II, Everett served in the U.S. Navy as a hospital apprentice first class. Throughout his working years, he held several jobs. He worked as a weaver at the Wilton Woolen Mill, installed TV antennas for Ambrose Radio and TV in Jay, finished shoes at G.H. Bass and Co., and managed the dye department at the Wilton Tanning Co., in East Wilton, from which he retired. He most enjoyed working in the woods, twitching out the logs one at a time with his draft horse.

From the time he was a young boy, Everett loved running. In high school, he excelled at distance running (cross-country) and was one of the best milers in the state. Later in life, he ran competitively and traveled throughout the state to participate in running events for seniors, often competing against his older brother, Earl.

He enjoyed playing shuffleboard when he wintered in Florida and also enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing and trapping. He was especially fond of deer hunting, hunting snowshoe hares with the aid of a beagle, fishing for brook trout and trapping for foxes and coyotes.

He raised animals and at one time or another tried his hand at raising cattle, horses, goats, sheep, rabbits and chickens, and was also a beekeeper. He owned several pairs of large oxen and enjoyed taking them to county fairs throughout the state to compete in the ox-pulling contests.

In the winter of 1999-2000, Everett met Erma Maicki; they were married in Wilton on July 1 the following summer and spent 14 happy years together, traveling to Florida for the winter and returning to Maine each summer. During the final months of Everett’s life, Erma drove from their home in Holiday, Fla., to the health care facility in Trinity where Everett was being treated and spent every day with him, until her own sudden and unexpected death just 12 days prior to his.

Everett is survived by his oldest son, Norman and longtime partner, Lisa, and his four sons, Norman, Bruce, Steven and Tony; his second son, Brian and wife, Linda, and their daughter, Gina, and son, Daniel; and his youngest son, Jerry and wife, Kathy, and their daughter, Melissa, and son, Jeffrey. In addition to his eight grandchildren, Everett is survived by 14 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents; his first wife, Helen; his second wife, Erma; his older brother, Earl; and his younger brother; Ralph.

Everett was a very religious man, with an abiding faith. He served as a church deacon for much of his life; first, at East Wilton Union Church and later at the Bean’s Corner Baptist Church in Jay. He will be missed by family and friends.

Tributes and condolences may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.