Wayne Usher

RAYMOND — Wayne Clifton Usher, 75, of Raymond, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015, at his home.

He was born in Gorham, the son of Harry Emmons and Irene Marie (Delcourt) Usher. He was raised in Westbrook, graduating from Westbrook High School in 1958. Wayne served his country in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Wasp, USS Lake Champlain and USS Tillis.

He later began his career at Portland Gas & Light, and retired from S.D. Warren Paper Co., where he worked for 38 years. After retiring, he found joy in volunteering for the Riding to The Top Organization, helping people with disabilities reach their highest potential through the healing power of horses. Wayne was a longtime member of St. Hyacinth Church and currently a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Windham.

Wayne loved to travel and would tell people he was “Wayne from Maine.” He and his wife were Florida snowbirds, migrating from their new condo in Sarasota, Fla. back to Maine to spend time with their family and to be “Pepe” for his many grandchildren. You would also be hard-pressed “not to” find a stack or two of either scratch or Megabucks tickets on him.

When Wayne wasn’t doting on his wife, you would usually find him tending his gardens and waterfall, and then relaxing after a labor-intensive day, having an iced tea with his wife in their gazebo.

He was one of the founding members of the Westbrook Rescue, volunteering for 20 years. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus. He also co-organized his high school 50th class reunion. Wayne was a diehard Green Bay Packer fan, making it to Lambeau Field in 2008, but his greatest passion was for his cars. He was a devout Ford Mustang enthusiast, owning and restoring several Mustangs throughout his life.

He is survived by his wife, Marguerite Kenny Usher, of Raymond; his son, Jeff, of Gorham; daughter, Juli Silva, of Gardiner; stepchildren Mitzi and Geoff LaBarge of Bridgton and stepdaughter Melissa Turcotte; eight grandchildren and stepgrandchildren; his brothers, Ron of Buxton, Robert of Westbrook and William of Westbrook; sisters, Marlene Tanguay of Windham and Cheryl Mondor of Lyman; and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Blais & Hay Funeral Home, 35 Church Street, Westbrook. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Windham. Interment with military honors will be at St. Hyacinth Cemetery in Westbrook. Online condolences may be expressed at blaisandhayfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Riding to the Top of Windham, American Heart Association, Town of Raymond or the Maine Library.