Wilbur G. Labbe

It is with heavy hearts that the Labbe family announce the passing of their father Wilbur G. Labbe (Wil), 93, on December 21st, 2025 at the Aroostook House of Comfort in Presque Isle, following a period of declining health. Wil was a well known educator, businessman and was active in the Catholic church. He was born in Fort Kent, January 28th, 1932 to Levite and Mathilda Labbe, and was not expected to live because he was born a few months prematurely, but he was known to have a joie de vive and thrived. He left Fort Kent High School as a teenager to work for a building contractor in Connecticut but returned home soon after to complete and graduate from high school. In 1953 he attended and completed his studies at Bryant College in Providence, R.I. for Mathematics of Accounting when he received a draft letter from the U.S. Army ordering his enlistment from 1953 - 1955 during the Korean war. In 1956 he attended the University of Maine at Fort Kent for Introduction to College Mathematics. He met and married Sonia Gagnon in 1958 and they remained together for 61 years until her death in June 2019. He attended the University of Presque Isle in 1959 for studies in Junior High School Mathematics. He taught math and social studies for many years in Van Buren Junior High and High schools. He decided to go back to school in 1967 to receive his Master's Degree at West Chester State College, in West Chester, Pennsylvania and in 1968-1972 completed studies in Montclair State College, Montclair, New Jersey. He had nearly completed his studies at the University of Maine at Orono for his Doctorate in education when he contracted sarcoidosis and was unable to finish. Wil was a published author for mathematics as a nationwide resource for schools. Wil retired from teaching in 1975 and founded, owned and operated the County Stove Shop out of his garage in Van Buren, then relocated to Caribou in 1990. Wil was a life-time member of the Fred V. Brescia Council # 1870 Knights of Columbus, an active long time member of the Holy Rosary Catholic church where he sang in the church choir and held many positions in the church. Wil is survived by his children; Donna Labbe of Fort Fairfield, Patrick Labbe of Altoona, Wisconsin and Patty Blackstone of Presque Isle, seven grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, Wil was predeceased by a son Danny and wife Sonia. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Friday January 9, 2026 at the Parish of the Precious Blood Holy Rosary Church in Caribou. There will be refreshments following the service at the church hall. Interment will be in the spring at the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery. Arrangements by Mockler Funeral Home in Caribou. www.mocklerfuneralhome.com