THOMAS E. HOUGHTON JR.

FORT FAIRFIELD – Thomas E. Houghton Jr., 88, who was one of the nation’s leading foundation seed potato growers, died Feb. 18, 2004, at a Mars Hill healthcare facility, after a brief illness. He was born Dec. 4, 1915, in Fort Fairfield, the son of Thomas E. Sr. and Cenith (Watt) Houghton. A graduate of the Fort Fairfield High School and Ricker Classical Institute, he earned a BS degree in Agronomy from the University of Maine in 1937. Upon graduation he worked for the U.S. Agriculture Adjustment Administration and later farmed with his father. On June 10, 1939, he married Antoria Rosen, a native of New Sweden. During World War II, Houghton compiled an outstanding record, serving in the South Pacific Theater of Operations as a major in the U.S. Infantry. He was a tactical commander in combat and also served as battalion commander, training troops for the invasion of Japan. He was awarded the Purple Heart and commended for his heroism, receiving the Bronze Star. Returning to Fort Fairfield, Tom joined his father and brother in partnership as T.E. Houghton and Sons in 1946, marking another generation’s entry into the Houghton potato growing tradition started in 1900 by his grandmother, Cora Haines Houghton. Her family had roots in Fort Fairfield since 1844. Thomas E. Houghton Sr. died in 1967 with Tom Jr. taking over sole responsibility for the business. In 1969, he was joined by sons, Tom III and John, forming Houghton Farms, Inc. The Trio farmed over a thousand acres of cropland in the Maple Grove area. Tom Houghton haD won many honors and accolades for his untiring work in the potato industry and for his nationally acclaimed endeavor of working with geneticists to develop a large number of new potato seed varieties including the famed Atlantic, grown on Houghton land. He was named an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Potato Association of America and the National Seed Growers of the Year in 1992 by the National Potato Council as well as the Outstanding Conservationist in 1966 for his unique and beneficial farm practices by the Soil Conservation Service. He also received the Distinguished Service Award from the County Farm Credit Service. Tom was well-known throughout the Eastern Seaboard and praised by industry leaders for his seed growing practices as well as his sales and service to customers. Winthrop Libby, a former president of the University of Maine, called him a “substantial, solid guy and perhaps the best seed grower in the country.” The Maine Potato Blossom Festival was dedicated to him in 1985 and in 1995 the Houghton were named Farm Family of the Year. Houghton served terms on the Maine Potato Commission, the Aroostook Soil Conservation Service, Fort Fairfield Town Council, Community General Hospital Board, and the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad Board of Directors. He was a member of the United Parish Church, Fort Fairfield, the Fort Fairfield Lions Club the Fort Fairfield Grange and the former Fort Fairfield Masonic Lodge AF & AM. Today, Feb. 19, 2004, he was to be awarded his second Bronze Star for his service in World War II at a special ceremony at the Paul Lockhart VFW Post No. 6187 at Fort Fairfield. Tom was a national leader in the potato industry and on the local level quietly assisted generously many project and programs for the betterment of his community of Fort Fairfield. He loved fishing and was one of the incorporators of the noted Wolv-erton Club on the Tobique River in New Brunswick, Canada. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, John “Jack” Houghton and a granddaughter, Amy Winston. He is survived by his beloved wife, Antoria “Tory” of Presque Isle; two daughters, Patricia Greene and her husband, George of Wiscasset, Bonnie Winston of Brisbane, Australia; two sons, Thomas E. “Tim” Houghton III, John Houghton and his wife, Margaret, all of Fort Fairfield; two sisters, Mary Cheney of Presque Isle and Frances Whited and her husband, Harris, of Fort Fairfield; five grandchildren, Susan Greene of Richmond, Bruce Houghton of Mechanic Falls, Timberly Sweeney and her husband, Sean, of Tewksbury, Mass., Thomas E. Houghton IV of Portland, Ryan Houghton of Newton, Mass.; three stepgrandchildren, Sara and Mathew Cyr, both of Newton, Mass., Emily Cyr of Old Town; two great-grand-children, Antoria and Timothy Swee-ney, both of Tewksbury, Mass.; several nieces and nephews. Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, 2004, at the Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004, at the United Parish Church, 4 Church St., Fort Fairfield, with the Rev. Diane Langworthy and the Rev. Lynne Josselyn co-officiating. Interment will take place at the Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield, later in the spring. A time of fellowship will be held in the church vestry immediately following the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, those who choose may contribute in memory of Mr. Houghton to the United Parish Church Memorial Fund, care of Joyce Plant, 45 Brunswick Ave., Fort Fairfield, ME 04742. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church.