1921 – 2015

FARMINGTON — Walter Earle Bubier, 94, died peacefully on Thursday, Oct. 8, at Pinewood Terrace in Farmington, surrounded by his loving family.

Walter was born on May 5, 1921, a son of Guy and Grace (Thompson) Bubier. He grew up in the Wilton area, receiving his education from Wilton Academy. He married Gwendolyn Buker on Nov. 14, 1942, and shortly thereafter, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps.

While in the military, Walter progressed to a tech sergeant, serving as an airplane mechanic, working on the Lockheed P-38 Lightning plane. He proudly served his country for four years. Upon his return from the service, he and Gwen moved to Jay, where they raised their family, later moving to Wayne.

Walter was a jack-of-all-trades, and was considered a true engineer in his family’s eyes; he could do anything he put his mind to. Later in life, Walter took up golf, playing at over 100 golf courses in the state of Maine and many other courses in the United States and Canada. He was a longtime member of the Springbrook Golf Club in Leeds, where he became good friends with the owners, Joey and Jeanine Golden. In his retirement years, he enjoyed traveling, particularly enjoying trips to his Army Air Corps reunions throughout the country, including Missouri, Texas and Washington, D.C. An outdoors man, he enjoyed camping with his family, ice-skating with his daughters and working in his wood lots. For many years, he hunted deer and got one every year. He kept the freezer full and his family well-fed. His devotion to his wife of nearly 70 years was known to all. He was particularly proud of a special granddaughter, Tammy Parker, whom both he and his wife were blessed to have raised.

Walter was a quick-witted man; few were able to match him. He was a strong-willed individual, as his family, including all the nieces and nephews, can well attest.

He is survived by his children, Cheryl Parker of Canton, Roxy Hennings and her husband, Brent Wakefield, of Winthrop, Pamela McAllister and her husband, Ronald, of Jay; special granddaughter, Tammy Parker; grandchildren, Kerry Parker; Ralph Parker, Ann Agin, Kenneth Parker Jr., Leah O’Brien, Marcus McAllister and Marcia McAllister; siblings, Arthur Bubier, Thelma Storer and Maxine Collins; seven great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Gwendolyn; son-in-law, Kenneth Parker Sr.; grandchild, Laura Lee Parker; and siblings, Charles Bubier, Irene Lowell and Ruth Stratton.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Pinewood Terrace in Farmington for taking such excellent care of Walter.

Tributes and condolences may be shared by visiting his memorial page at www.wilesrc.com.