ROY WILSON DOAK

CARIBOU – Roy Wilson Doak, 86, well known Caribou and state community and political leader, died March 16, 2006, at the residence of his daughter, Jennifer and Michael Pelkey after a long illness. He was born Nov. 19, 1919, in Rockland, the son of Vernon and Bessie (True) Doak. The family moved to Caribou when Roy was four. He graduated from Caribou High School, Class of 1937 and attended Kentucky State College. He served with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and on his return trip home on the train, he met his future wife, Dorothy McKay. They were married in 1947 and shared 56 years of marriage until her death in 2003. He was employed for more than 43 years by the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad as station clerk, first at Caribou, then Presque Isle and finishing his career at the Mapleton station. Mr. Doak’s life was filled with service to his community and state, beginning in 1960, when he became involved with the Hilltop Elementary schools’ newly formed PTA group. He soon became president of the PTA as he wanted to get the best education, not only for his own children, but also for all young people in the Caribou schools. He served on and was past chairman of the Caribou Recreation Commission from 1962-68 and in 1969 was elected to the Caribou Board of Education, where he worked to increase special education services. In 1978, he ran for and was elected to the Caribou City Council, a position he held for 12 years, serving as Caribou’s mayor for three terms. In 1989, the Caribou Chamber of Commerce honored Mr. Doak as its citizen of the year for his relentless efforts to secure medical care for Aroostook County Veterans. That effort led to the establishment of the Aroostook County Veterans Clinic, which opened in 1987. He served as co-chair for the fundraising drive for the Caribou Maine Veterans Home, which successfully opened in 1989. He was then appointed by former Gov. Joseph Brennan to serve on the Maine Veterans Home Board of Trustees. Roy was a member and past president of the Caribou Kiwanis Club and one of his greatest thrills was getting “locked up” during the annual Kiwanis Kangaroo Court. He was a life member and past commander of the Henry B. Pratt Post 15 American Legion, as well as serving as past State Vice Commander in 1974. He was a member of La Societe Des 40 Hommes Et 8 Chevaux, a society opened to outstanding Legionnaires. Mr. Doak was a very active member of the Caribou and Aroostook County Democratic Committees, served on the Board of Directors of the Aroostook Area Agency on Aging, was a 60 year life member of Caribou Lodge No. 170 AF & AM, past patron of Elizabeth Chapter Order of Eastern Star, member and past president of the Caribou Historical Society, member and past president of the Caribou Music Parents Association, served on the Board of Directors of the Aroostook Humane Shelter, past member of the Aroostook County Emergency Medical services, past member of the Aroostook County Budget committee, member of the Caribou Score Chapter. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Caribou Day Care Center as well as board member of the American Heart Assoc., was a member of the Maine School Management Assoc. and served as a director of the Tri Community Sanitary Landfill. He was proud of his membership in the Society of Mayflower Descendants and was a past director and secretary of the Constance Hopkins Colony. Mr. Doak was a very active 70 year member of the Gray Memorial United Methodist Church, where he served on many committees and was church lay leader for more than 32 years. When asked why he devoted so much time to community service he would say, “to speak for those who cannot speak or do for themselves.” He served us well. Whatever free time he had, Roy enjoyed camping, visiting state parks, museums and hiking in the woods with his family. He was an avid coin collector, loved history and baseball, was an avid reader and loved to go sailing near the Rockland coast. Roy could be often found enjoying and working in his garden and yard. He is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Melanie and Wallace Fengler of Scarborough, Cynthia Morrow and Jennifer and Michael Pelkey, all of Caribou; one sister, Geraldine Harmon of Caribou; seven grandchildren, Jeremy and John Pelkey, Danielle Harrington, Kenneth Watson, Naomi, Vincent, and Anthony Morrow; six great-grandchildren; a niece, Deena Belanger; and a nephew, Paul Harmon. Mr. Doak was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy in 2003; an infant daughter, Roleen; and a brother, Donald. Friends may call 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Monday at the Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir St., Caribou. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, from the Gray Memorial United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Anna Beech officiating, assisted by family friend, Mary Lou Brown. Interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery. Friends who wish to contribute in Mr. Doak’s memory may do so through the charity of ones choice.