PORTLAND — Ernest Jerome Fielder, 81, of Norway, son of Elbert J. and Florence E. (Norcross) Fielder, died unexpectedly Friday, Nov. 3, at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Ernest was born in Highstown, N.J., on March 22, 1936. He graduated from Westbrook High School in 1955. At age 15 he flew his first solo flight in Scarborough. He joined the Air Force in 1956 as a fighter pilot. After leaving the Air Force in 1962, he joined the Air Force Reserves.

He started flying as a pilot for Mohawk Airlines in 1962 and retired from U.S. Airways as a captain in 1992. In 1958, he married the love of his life, Shirley Ann McLellan. Together, they raised two children, Susan and Monte.

They all enjoyed many travels together around the United States and to countries such as Africa, Europe and Australia. He was an avid hunter and a certified Maine guide and was involved in Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife as a hunter safety instructor for 30 years.

He served as president of Safari Club International Maine Chapter. He was a member of the Norway American Legion Post 82. From 1973-2013, he lived at his lakefront property on Sebago Lake in Raymond. He was the proud owner of over 200 acres (Fielders’ Ranch) in Norway since 2001, where he lived for the past four years and spent many hours hunting, gardening and caring for his dogs.

He was survived by his beloved wife, Shirley Fielder, of Norway; daughter, Susan Fielder of Norway; son, Monte Fielder of Waterford, Conn.; grandson, Jamison; granddaughter, Jessica; brother, Elbert Fielder of Florida; sister, Eleanor Ball of South Carolina; sister, Elizabeth Fitz of New Hampshire; sister-in-law, Erla (Davis) Itzstein of South Carolina; and many nephews and nieces.

Online condolences may be left for the family at hallfuneralhome.net.

Ernest J. Fielder

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