Ronald D. Wing (1934-2010)

INDUSTRY – Ronald D. Wing, 75, of Industry, died on Saturday evening, March 13, after a long courageous battle with esophageal cancer at his home with his family.

He was born in Lancaster, N.H., Oct. 12, 1934, the son of Richard H. Wing and Ruth E. (Emery) Wing Chase. He attended schools in Lancaster, N.H., Industry and Farmington. He married Betty Morse Wing on March 6, 1954, and recently celebrated 56 years of marriage. Together they began farming and managing land in Industry eventually becoming one of the largest dairy farms in the area. The Wing Farm is a local landmark. In 2008, the Lazy W Farm earned the Outstanding Conservation Cooperation Award. In 2009, the farm was named the “State of Maine Conservation Farm of the Year.”

Ronald was a very involved member of the community serving as a past director of The Maine Farm Bureau, Farm Credit of Maine and the Franklin County Soil Conservation. He was a well-known local historian who served as a selectman for the town of Industry. He was currently an Industry Planning Board member, a seat which he occupied since its beginning. One of his fields, known as the “Wing Field” has hosted the Annual Industry Fireworks, a well-known Fourth of July event for years. The current Industry Fire Department sits on a parcel of land that he donated. He was a member of the Grange for more than 50 years, a member of The Wing Family of America and attended several area churches.

He is survived by his wife Betty; two sons, Ethan E. Wing and wife, Martha of Farmington and Dana A. Wing and wife Diane of Industry; a daughter, Beth N. Pelletier and husband Paul of Industry; a brother, Bruce A. Wing and his wife Carolyn of Leesburg, FL; seven grandchildren: Shawn Wing, Andrea Wing, Joanna Wing, Amy Bouchard, Stephen Wing, Miles Pelletier and Ellie Pelletier and several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his father, Richard H. Wing, his mother, Ruth E. Wing Chase, his sister, Norma R. Wing and a brother, Richard E. Wing.

Family and friends are invited to call at the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Rd., (Rtes. 2 & 27) Farmington, Tuesday 4-7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Center, Wednesday at 1 p.m., with Rev. John Tolman officiating.

Those who desire may send remembrance gifts to either the Lane Family Scholarship Fund c/o Mavis Lane, 390 Keep Rd., Jay, ME 04239 or to the St. Mary’s Oncology Dept. PO Box 291 Att.: Development Office Lewiston, Me. 04240. Following services, a reception will be held at the Industry Town Hall. Spring committal services will be at the Wing Family Cemetery, Industry. Condolences and tributes may be shared with the Wing family at www.wilesrc.com.