AUBURN – James E. Conkey, 73, of Wilton, died Wednesday evening at the Hospice House with his family at his side.
He was born June 25, 1939 in Springfield, MA, a son of James and Florence (Talmadge) Conkey. He grew up and attended schools in Agawam, MA, moving to Maine as a young man. He loved “The Pine Tree State”, calling it his second home. Conkey worked for the town of Strong for a period of time as well as Forster Manufacturing, and worked for the Backus family maintaining their rental properties in the area.
He was an avid bowler and participated in many leagues and tournaments and was an avid NASCAR fan, never missing a weekend race, and he always rooted for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. On June 18, 1988, he married Evelyn Smith and they spent 33 wonderful years together. They enjoyed traveling and sight-seeing and took many trips together. Jim always looked forward to attending Fryeburg Fair each fall.
He is survived by hi wife, Evelyn of Wilton; son, Everett of Wilton; daughter, Ann Marie Thomas of Westbrook; two step-sons, Gary Voter of Jay and Brian Moody of East Dixfield; two step-daughters, Patty Thompson of Industry and Karen Leet of Loganville, GA; a sister, Florence Rochford of Agawam, MA; 11 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother Donald; and a great granddaughter, Maci Conkey.
Condolences and tributes may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.
Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Wiles Remembrance Center, 136 High Street, Wilton. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Center on Saturday from 5-7 p.m. Interment will be in the spring at Lakeview Cemetery in Wilton. The family suggests that those who desire send memorial gifts to Androscoggin Home Health Care and Hospice, 15 Strawberry Ave., Lewiston, ME 04240 or at ahch.org.
I am so fortunate to have had Jim as a brother-in-law; nice man, the world is a little sadder place today because of his passing
My thoughts and prayers go out to Jim’s family….I was very fortunate to know Jim and compete with him in bowling…what a bowler he was. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Uncle Jim, Many memories of playing air hockey and race track games at the old house that was near Forsters Mill. Hadn’t seen you in many many years. RIP. Steve