Obituary: Leon E. Fowler (2024)

OAKLAND – Leon E. Fowler, 87, passed away peacefully Thursday April 11, 2024, at Woodlands Assisted Living in Waterville.

Leon was born in Albion on Sept. 4, 1936. He was the son of Edgar M. Fowler and Meta (Rowe) Fowler. He graduated from Besse High School in 1954 where he played basketball and baseball. He continued his education and training in the Air Force National Guard serving at the Loring and Bangor reservist air bases.

Leon was a self-made businessman always looking for his next financial investment. His work ethic came at an early age while working on the family farm and at his grandfather’s store. He bought and sold cars before pursuing his passion for real estate. In his early 20s, he started his 35-year career at Sears Roebuck and Co. where he met his wife, Betty, his soulmate of 64 years. Successful at sales, Leon soon became the appliance department manager where he excelled in business and won numerous performance awards. He dedicated his career to the company and because of his hard work he was able to retire at the age of 55.

Leon’s family was the center of his world. His wife, Betty, was the love of his life. Together, they made a perfect team. They always treated each other with respect and made it a priority to never go to bed with ill feelings toward one another. Their connection really shined when they took the floor to dance the jitterbug. People would watch with admiration and feel the joy and excitement fill the room. With love and devotion, they built a life and raised their three children. Leon was a strong supporter of all his children’s sporting events and their other extracurricular interests. He valued education and was proud that all his children graduated from the University of Maine. Leon’s pride and joy was his granddaughter, Ariele. She brought him years of happiness with her sparkle and exuberance. He was extremely proud of the woman that she had become.

Leon was a kind and thoughtful man with a warm and welcoming demeanor. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to others without being asked. He could be seen snow-blowing his neighbors’ driveways, taking care of their homes during a storm, or rescuing a stranded boater. He enjoyed coaching youth basketball, opening the Waterville Boys Club gym on weekends for pick-up games, working at Booster Club events and being on hand for various family home improvement projects. The highlight of his week was his weekly family visits to his mother’s house where extended family would gather.

Leon was an avid outdoorsman with a love for nature and wildlife. He appreciated the serenity of being near water and enjoyed spending time at his camps on Lovejoy Pond, Messalonskee Lake and a shared hunting camp with his friends on Kingsbury Pond. He loved spending time in the woods, walking the boundary lines, tracking deer, watching waterfowl, and dreaming of the various locations that would make a beautiful house lot. Being outside, hearing, smelling and being one with nature was where he felt calm and relaxed.

He passed on his connection with nature to his children. Many weekends and summers were spent at camp on Lovejoy Pond ice fishing, snowmobiling, exploring, and observing wildlife. Summers at Lovejoy, and later at Messalonskee Lake, were filled with swimming, boating and water skiing. He enjoyed playing cards, hosting barbeques, annual fourth of July celebrations, as well as numerous gatherings and impromptu visits from family and friends.

He was predeceased by his brother, Stephen Fowler and wife Beverly, and sister, Carolyn Blaisdell and husband Arthur.

Leon is survived by his wife of 64 years Elizabeth “Betty” Fowler; son, Edgar Fowler and wife Sharon, daughter, Michelle Fowler and partner Debra Strout, daughter, Tonya Fowler; granddaughter, Ariele (Fowler) Battipaglia and husband Paul; his sister, Linda Vitale, with whom he shared a very special bond, and husband Vite; many nieces, nephews; and cousins; and life-long friends Leonard and Donna Dow.

There will be no visiting hours or funeral services. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

The family would especially like to thank the many wonderful in-home caregivers, the attentive Woodlands Assisted Living care providers, and the Beacon Hospice staff for their comfort and support.

Please visit Leon’s memorial page at https://dsfuneral.com/obituaries/leon-fowler where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.

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