Willis Sutherland

Our Dad, Willis Sutherland, passed away on Monday, July 14, 2025 at his home in Caribou. He was born on February 24, 1932 to Aldelbert and Marie (Hardacker) Sutherland on the family farm on the Brown Road in Woodland as were most of his brothers and sisters. Dad walked to the 1 room Woodland School House alongside his siblings but not until the morning chores had been completed. After school, evening chores followed.

Our Dads greatest joy was marrying our Mom, Gloria Belanger on April 5, 1956. She predeceased him on September 28, 2016. Part of Dads heart went with her on that date after celebrating 60 years of marriage.

Hard work ethic was what Dad embraced and instilled in all 6 of his children. We recall Dad always assisting as we picked potatoes, picked rocks, or pulled mustard. We recall many of the families who picked on Dad’s crew (including the Doody, Sirois, Lister, Steeves, and Theriault families as well as many others) and the hand crews from Canada. Our Dad, the farmer, continued farming until he was 89 years old, and still checked in on things (and Stuart) even after that.

His military service was something Dad did not speak much about. We learned recently from finding his discharge paperwork that Dad had many commendations, and served in Japan and Korean.

As a Dad, Willis was not a complicated man. He shared his thoughts freely and you always knew where you stood. He had a firm approach and high expectations but always sought the best for us. He instilled honesty and truthful behaviors in all of us and the importance of always greeting our elders with a “hello”.

He liked reading, watching black and white TV shows, the Hallmark Channel, and loved a deep discussion on genealogy with his sisters plus visiting grave sites of deceased family members with his son Kendall. He liked to watch old family movies from years past, appreciating old, cherished moments.

He enjoyed playing poker, solitaire, pass the trash, and scratch tickets with the expectation of always winning. He was an outdoorsman who especially liked camping in Deboullie and Mooseluek Lake.

Willis loved his grand and great grand-children painting each one a rock from the farm signed “Grampy Willis”.

His memory was always rock solid, remembering dates, people, gatherings, family relations and connections and current newsworthy details. He could carry on lengthy conversations about politics, history, geography, the weather, family, current events and other topics. It is no wonder he was great at Jeopardy.

He was a kind soul, remembering to ask you about someone important to you that he had learned of in a previous conversation.

He was independent, self-reliant and for the most part, lived life on his own terms. He loved family gatherings, big or small, if even to just sit back and smile with family and friends. He especially enjoyed the many family reunions that his sisters Betty and Judi planned at Madawaska Lake, Lions Picnic Grounds and Haystack.

Willis is survived by his 6 children, Colleen Sutherland and partner Doris of Caribou, Kendall Sutherland and wife Debbie of Woodland, Sharan Thibodeau and husband Reggie of Woodland, Stuart Sutherland and wife Kim of Caribou, Warren Sutherland of Hallowell, and Allyson Masse and husband Bob of Woodland, one sister, Judi Greenier of Cross Lake, a sister-in-law, Marina Sutherland of CT, his six grandchildren, Kylie Haines, Cody Thibodeau, Rylan Masse, Keanen Masse, Matthew Manter and Brandon Manter, 2 great-grandchildren, Brooklynn Kilcollins and Duncan Haines, numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by the love of his life his wife, our Mom, Gloria, his brothers, Hayden, Stanley, Russell, and Roland, his sisters, Margaret, Marjorie, Gretchen, Esther, Jean, and Betty.

Friends are invited to visit with the family on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir Street, Caribou, from 1PM until time of services which will be held at 2PM from the chapel of the funeral home with Pastor Ellen Cleaves officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery, Caribou.

Those who wish to contribute in memory of Mr. Sutherland are asked to consider a donation to either the Jefferson Cary Foundation, P.O. Box 89, Caribou, Maine 04736, or to the veteran’s organization of one’s choice.