Walton O’Roak

Born: March 11, 1922
Died: February 3, 2019
Buried: West Cemetery, Island Falls

To know Walt O’Roak was to know a man dedicated to his family, his community, and his country. He was a mover and shaker in Island Falls from the time he and Gwen settled here in the early 1950’s. Dozens of folks have a “Walt” story.

Born in 1922, Walt was one of seven siblings growing up on a farm in Sherman, Maine. He was a member of the Greatest Generation. Soon after WWII started, Walt withdrew from Ricker College to join the Navy and he served as a fire controlman, first class, throughout the war on the USS Baltimore, a cruiser constructed in Quincy, Massachusetts. He was one of 1142 men on board. As a young man in his early twenties, he saw action throughout the Pacific theatre. He later described these years as “the best time of my life.” In 1944, the USS Baltimore, with Walt on board, provided transport for President Franklin Roosevelt to Pearl Harbor for an historic conference with Admiral Chester Nimitz and General Douglas MacArthur. Throughout his life, he spoke with pride of this adventure. Later, Walt and the Baltimore headed to Alaska for more adventures.

During this time, Walt’s letters home tell of a young man, a world away from Sherman, Maine, missing his family but loving his life in the Navy despite being a “seasick chicken” and facing temperatures of 120 degrees. Letters from home tell of daily life on the farm, news from other families with beloved sons and daughters overseas, and everyone looking forward to the war being over and having loved ones return.

After the war, Walt signed up for the Naval Reserves and served another year during the Korean War, this time in Cuba. In the meantime, he had courted and won the heart of Gwendolyn Whitehouse. They married and eventually settled in Island Falls where they raised their four children.

Throughout his life, Walt was engaged in a variety of careers. He and Gwen moved to Biddeford, Maine, early in their marriage and then moved to New Jersey, Walt managing stores in both locations during the late 1940’s. They moved to Island Falls in the early 50’s and he owned and operated a dairy bar and later Walt’s Restaurant. For the next two decades, his restaurant was a hub of the town, serving up great food and community spirit. For a time, he was employed by James Pierce at Madigan and Pierce in Houlton. For many years, he was a rural postal carrier, an integral part of the fabric of this small town.

Walt possessed boundless energy for community service. Home from his military stint, Walt was a charter member of King-Mitchell Post 7429 of the VFW and was the moving force and spirit behind the efforts to raise the funds to erect the Veterans’ Memorial that proudly stands in front of the community center. He worked tirelessly making sure the surrounding grounds were worthy of the monument. For years, it was Walt that took on the task of placing a US flag on the grave of every veteran in town. In addition, he was a Selectman and served as a member of the School Board for nine years. He didn’t stop there. He was a valued member of the Knights of Columbus and the Masons. When it came time to celebrate the United States Bicentennial in 1976, Walt again stepped up. He was instrumental in organizing the Town’s celebration of the event. Every Summerfest for years was possible, in large part, thanks to Walt O’Roak.

The Island Falls Historical Society owes a great debt to Walt. From its beginning, he was a tireless advocate and worker for the group. He was the Treasurer for many years. Besides serving in that role, he saw what needed to be done at the Tingley House and did it. His family donated funds for the Sewing Room.

Walt was not all work and no play. High on his list of favorite things was anything to do with the outdoors and his family. Trips to Kingsbury Plantation were the stuff of family legends, although some details were not widely shared. And his obituary makes mention of donut runs with Gwen in the wee hours of the morning. They both loved their evening rides, even if some didn’t go as planned. He once had to break a small back window in his new Buick because he had locked his keys in while he and Gwen, along with two family members in their 90’s, visited a local cemetery.

Family was the focus of Walt’s life. He and his siblings and their families remained close throughout the years. Up until the early 2000’s, Walt and Gwen would join his siblings and their spouses for a monthly dinner-out evening.

When he passed away at the age of 96, he left behind Gwen, his two sons and two daughters, along with grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. His love for this town will live on. He was an example for all of us of what we can do to make things in our community better. Walt didn’t sit on the sidelines; he jumped in, feet first.