Obituary: David A. Footer

David A. Footer

AUBURN- David A. Footer, a kind and gentle soul, died Sunday, June 27, 2021 at the Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn.

A wonderful father and loving husband, he viewed the world with an artist’s eye and lived life accordingly. He was a fourth generation stone mason, a skill he taught his sons John and James; an accomplished and internationally known fish taxidermist; a highly sought after multi-media wildlife artist; a wood carver; an inventor; and a friend and mentor to many.

Dave’s formal education began in a one room school house on Sabattus Street in Lewiston.

On March 31, 1951, he married his high school sweetheart Pauline Rita Olivier. Together they raised their seven children: Jane, Veronica, John, Julie, Dorothy, James and Joseph. In 1952, he became the protégé of Herb Welch, the premiere fish taxidermist of his day based at Haines Landing on Lake Mooselookmeguntic in Oquossoc. Their relationship grew and flourished until Herb’s death in 1960. Throughout their 59-year marriage, Dave and Pauline lived and worked together as partners in his successful career in fish taxidermy until her death on July 24, 2010.

Dave had a zest for life. He was a fly fishing guide in northern Quebec in the Hudson Bay for over two decades, a pilot and squadron commander for the Civil Air Patrol, a masonry teacher at CMVTI/CMTC from 1972-2019, and a supporter of the Stanton Bird Club and Thorncraig.

He met Annette Wyman Picher at St. Philip Catholic Church in Auburn, where they were parishioners. They married there on July 2, 2011, and enjoyed life together as a devoted and loving couple.

Dave was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Russell Footer, and his wife, Pauline Footer.

Dave is survived by his loving wife, Annette Wyman Picher, and will be remembered and greatly missed by his children: Jane Walton and husband Philip, Veronica Guerette and husband Leonard, John Footer and companion Phyllis Deringis, Julie Footer, Dorothy Gray and husband Peter, James Footer and companion Cheryl Tibbetts, and Joseph Footer. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Donika, Nathan, Candace, Kate, Kimberly, Crystal, Ben, Becki, Nichole Jean Marie, Brandon, Ashleigh, and Hannah and his great-grandchildren: Wyatt, Noah, Autumn, Logan, Shelby, Easton, Owen, Dakota, Luna, Aidan, Averie, Lukas, and Cyrus.

He is survived by his sister, Althea (Teddy) Milliken and her husband Bruce and his brothers, Kenneth Footer and Daniel Footer and partner Joan. In addition, Dave leaves behind Annette’s children: Heidi Dempsey and husband James and their children, Samantha and Justin, Keith Picher and wife Susy Sullivan and their children, Rachel and Gabrielle, Glenn Picher and wife Caroline Clavel and their children, Toby and Cora, and Danielle Gaillard-Picher and her children, Serena and Leeloo.

A celebration of Dave’s life will be held on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 from 4-8 p.m., at the Pinette Dillingham & Lynch Funeral Home. Deacon Dennis Mailhot from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish will conduct and informal service at 7 p.m.

Arrangements by the Pinette Dillingham & Lynch Funeral Home 305 Alfred A. Plourde Parkway in Lewiston, 784-4023.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that those who desire consider memorial gifts in David Footer’s memory to Androscoggin Hospice House,

236 Stetson Road,

Auburn, Maine 04210.