HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Wesley Leroy Wight, 93, passed away peacefully Aug. 4, 2008. Born April 25, 1915, he was the eldest son of Adam Wight and Jennie Robinson Coles Wight of Brewer. He attended Brewer elementary schools and graduated in 1931 from Southwest Harbor High School at age 16. Wesley worked in a variety of jobs in Bar Harbor and Bangor, including setting guardrail posts, stitching soles on moccasins and working as a machinist apprentice. Wesley served in the Maine National Guard U.S. Army 5th Infantry Division, Portland, from 1934 to 1937. From 1940 to 1943 he did “war work” at Pratt and Whitney on airplane engine parts. After rejoining the National Guard, Wesley again joined the U.S. Army during World War II and was assigned to the 78th Infantry Division, A Battery 307th Field Artillery. He deployed to France and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He attained the rank of staff sergeant and was honorably discharged in 1945. After military service, Wesley attended the University of Maine, Orono, from 1946 to 1949. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and lettered in competitive shooting. After college, Wesley worked for General Motors Corp., Bay City, Mich.; Toledo Transmission Plant, Toledo, Ohio, and Chevrolet Manufacturing Plant, Massena, N.Y. Wesley married Kathleen Myra Tozier of West Enfield, Dec. 3, 1942. They had six children: Audrey Wight Disman of Huntsville, Texas, Dale Wight of Otis, Bryan Wight of Denver, Bruce Wight of Denver and twins, Janice Wight Ferguson of Fairfax Station, Va., and James Wight, who died in 1985. After retiring from General Motors in 1974, he and his wife, Kay, lived in Gouverneur, N.Y. Wesley enjoyed playing golf, skiing and singing Barbershop music. He sang for many years with the Adirondack Harmony Company and with several quartets. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Gouverneur, N.Y., where he was active in the church choir. Wesley was a lifelong member of Scottish Rite of Masons, Bay City, Mich., achieving his 32nd degree. In later years, Wesley and Kay enjoyed spending their winters at Betmar Park, Zephyrhills, Fla. After his wife’s death in 1996, Wesley continued to live independently until the last few years of his life. In addition to his children, Wesley is survived by his brother, Aubrey Wight and wife, Betty, of Fort Myers, Fla.; five children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Burial will be held noon Monday, July 6, at North Brewer Cemetery.
WESLEY LEROY WIGHT
