Horace Hockey Field

Yarmouth - Horace Stanley Field, known by all as “Hockey” passed away peacefully on February 9, 2012 after a brief illness at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House at the age of 101.

Born and raised in Dexter, ME on 11/1/1910, he was an only child of the late Charlotte Wright and Stanley H. Field. As a child, Hockey spent summers at Capital Island developing a love for the sea which he carried throughout his life. On June 14, 1941 Hockey married Margaret Smith of North Anson, raised two children in Falmouth, ME until she predeceased him in on February 27, 1959. Of all of his pets, Hockey most missed his faithful dog, Cody.

He graduated from N. H. Fay High School in 1928 and Hebron Academy in 1931. He was honored last year by Hebron for being the oldest surviving graduate. He went on to get his Bachelors from the University of Maine in Forestry in 1935, and later became a Registered Forester, maintaining this degree into his late 90’s.

He began his career in 1935 working for Shell Oil selling industrial oils. He moved on to operating Eastern Lumber Corp, and then changed to the trucking industry, as a sales representative for over 50 years. Ending his career at the age of 96 with Fowler’s Express. Upon retirement he joined the Casco Bay YMCA, working out with a trainer two times a week. At 99, he began volunteering as the YMCA Greeter. He took this role seriously and worked hard not to leave the door unattended. For everyone leaving the Y: he could be heard saying “Come back again real soon”.

Hockey always felt that idle time was the enemy, “use it or lose it” was his motto, and this is how he raised his two children. During the winter months they often spent their weekend skiing at Pleasant Mountain; in the summer months boating in Boothbay Harbor. He served on the safety patrol for Pleasant Mountain, avidly skiing until the age of 88.

Hockey was a life time member of Cumberland Fair Farmers Club, serving on the Executive Board in charge of sponsorships and advertising. In 2009 the Royal Canadian Mounted Police honored Hockey for his dedication to facilitating their appearance at the Fair with a mounted patrol salute. Their appearance at the fair brought the largest crowd to the fair to date. During the 2010 Cumberland Fair he was named as the Grand Marshall, and oldest living member. The fair kept him close to his roots and the good old days of tending his gardens, roadside vegetable stand, and raising champion Shropshire sheep with his son.

Hockey met Patricia Raybould of Hillsborough, CA. and they married on Oct 8, 1978. Together they relocated to Westport Island living there for 19 years. He developed strong friendships with his Westport Island neighbors. He bought a cruising boat named “Hockey Time” and joined the Downeast Yacht Club, serving as Commodore during 1988 - 1989. Hockey and Pat enjoyed many years of extensive travel throughout Europe and the Mediterranean. In 2000 they moved to Cumberland Ctr., where he continued to developed new friends and enjoyed working on the property. In July of 2011 Hockey had a brief stay at the Birchwood Assisted Living.

He was an active member of the North Yarmouth Congregational Church where he served as Deacon for many years. Hockey was an energetic, motivated and friendly individual with a true zest for life and a real gift to gab. His outgoing personality made it so easy for him to just strike up a conversation with a complete stranger. Being a passionate man with very strong opinions about almost everything often made for some very interesting conversations. Hockey was blessed with lifelong friends and enjoyed socializing with them over an afternoon Manhattan or two. Once you met him you never forgot him.

Hockey will be missed by his wife Patricia R., daughter Martha W. Macdonald, son-in-law John of Grantham, N.H, son Dexter S. Field, daughter-in-law Bernadette M. of Cumberland. Six cherished grandchildren, Brett, Kimberly and Stephanie Macdonald, and David & Bryant Field and Molly Orr and six great-grandchildren, Colby, Ashley, Sabrina, Liam, Calum, Duncan, Evelyn and Spencer.

Visit hours will be held on Friday, February 17th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth, ME. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 18th at 11am at the N. Yarmouth Congregational Church, 3 Gray Road, (Rt. 115), N. Yarmouth, ME 04097. A reception will follow in the church hall. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to share your condolences, memories and tributes with Hockey’s family. A private family interment will be in the spring at Ferris Cemetery in Cumberland, ME.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to the Casco Bay YMCA (Adaptive Services Program), 14 Old South Freeport Road, Freeport, ME 04032 or the N. Yarmouth Congregational Church.

“Around and Around We Go”