TILDEN BELMONT WESSEL HARPSWELL – Tilden B. “Wes” Wessel, 81, soldier, lob-sterman, coastal warden and pilot, died Thursday, March 20, 2008, at a Brunswick hospital. Tilden was born March 1, 1927, in Blue Hill, to Philip and Mary Ober Wessel. He attended Blue Hill schools and left his senior year at the age of 17 to enter World War II in 1945. In the Army he was stationed in Germany and discharged in 1947 as motor sergeant. He drove an ambulance. He graduated from George Stevens Academy and Sprayberry Academy of Radio and Television under the GI Bill. He built a ham radio and operated it in the late ’40s and ’50s. From 1947 to 1950, he did active duty as corporal in the Army Air Force Warning Reserve in the Blue Hill area watching for enemy planes. Wes took flying lessons and told about flying under the Waldo Hancock Bridge. He joined Wessel and Sons Mason Contracting business, and also cut and delivered block ice to homes and businesses in the summer. He married Sarah Maresca in Sedgewick, Sept. 1, 1950, and worked for her uncle as an electrician. In the early ’50s he lived on a Blue Hill estate as a caretaker and fished lobster traps in Blue Hill Bay. He joined Blue Hill Ira Berry Masonic Lodge at age 21 and became a life member. In 1957 he became a coastal warden for the Sea and Shore Fisheries Department, now the Marine Patrol. His area was Freeport, Brunswick and Harpswell. He was promoted to deputy chief and pilot, flying a Cessna 180. He retired in 1979. During the 1960s, he raised and trained black and tan hounds for competition. One dog winning Champion of Champions. After his retirement in 1979, he worked at lobster fishing and for the last 20 years, until he became ill, mowed grass at Brunswick Golf Club with their 10-ft. wide mower. At one time he owned a Cessna 140 with his friend, Calvin Taylor. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing golf with his buddies as often as possible. He hit a hole-in-one at Brunswick Golf Club. He was predeceased by his sister, Doris Osgood of Ellsworth. Wes is survived by his wife of Harpswell; his sons, Stephen Wessel and companion, Teresa Slaven, of Surry and David Wessel and wife, Kim, of Harpswell; a brother, Norris Wessel and his wife, Elaine, of Blue Hill; his sisters, Irene Rachinski of Blue Hill and Cynthia Smith and her husband, Ronald, of Franklin; three grandchildren, who he loved dearly; several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at West Harpswell Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to West Harpswell Baptist Church, P.O. Box 127, Harpswell, ME 04079. Arrangements are under the care of Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick. Condolences can be expressed to the family at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.
TILDEN BELMONT WESSEL
