Wayne Charles Fox, 84, of Westport, New York, and Sebastian, Florida, died unexpectedly at his Florida home on Thursday, February 12, 2015. He was born on May 27, 1930, in Rutland, Vermont, and is a 1948 graduate of Mount Saint Joseph Academy. He also attended University of Maryland and Western New England University. He was in the National Guard from 1947-1958. He served as a Sergeant and saxophonist in the 40th Army Band.

Mr. Fox had a distinguished career in executive management, manufacturing and sales. The quintessential self-made man, he began in Rutland as a part-time meat cutter at A&P at the age of 17 and then went on to manage the meat department at Lindholm's Market by age 20 before joining Tampax, Inc. at age 23 as a "shift boy." Having captured the attention of management, he was transferred to corporate headquarters in Palmer, Massachusetts, in 1957 where he rose through the ranks and was transferred in 1964 to the newest manufacturing facility in Claremont, New Hampshire, as Assistant Plant Manager. In 1973, he accepted the position of overseeing the construction and establishment of the new Willsboro, New York, facility where he was Plant Manager. In 1978, Mr. Fox partnered with the late Attorney, Stuart Frum, of Westport, New York, to purchase a local cedar mill. They grew the business to include the manufacture of fencing, apple crates, and custom furniture, both sourcing materials and selling products throughout the Northeast, Quebec, and Italy. They sold the business to a Canadian investment consortium in the mid 1980s, at which point, Mr. Fox joined Westelcom Company of Communications, Westport, New York, as Sales Manager where he worked until his retirement in 2002. Concurrently, he became licensed in real estate and, together with his wife, purchased, renovated, and managed a number of investment properties for the next three decades.

Mr. Fox was a gregarious, keenly observant, compassionate, and generous man who genuinely cared about people. Helping others, often anonymously, was a lifelong mission for him. His considerable church and community involvement over the years ranged from being an alter boy; Little League coach; President of the Holy Name Society, Palmer, Massachusetts; member of the Knights of Columbus; and serving as Chairman of the Town of Westport Planning Board.

Mr. Fox had the gift of living in the moment, which, among other things, informed his widely appreciated and astute sense of humor. He loved music and was a talented and award-winning musician, playing both the clarinet and tenor saxophone. After his retirement, what began as a hobby repairing china and ceramics for friends, turned into a restoration business, serving collectors and antique dealers throughout New York and New England. He was a master craftsman and woodworker, and his workshop was his artist's studio. A natural athlete, he particularly enjoyed golf, cross-country and downhill skiing, and swimming. Camping and RVing with his family were also favorite pastimes as was traveling with his wife throughout North America, Europe, and the Caribbean. Always curious and inquisitive, Mr. Fox was a voracious reader.

Mr. Fox is survived by his wife of 65 years, Elizabeth Ewing Fox; his daughter, Elizabeth Fox Dyke, of Greenwich, Connecticut; five grandchildren and three great grandchildren: Ewing D. Fox (Theresa Hait) and his daughter, Logan Rae, of Essex, Vermont; Elizabeth M. Dyke Barker (R. Ford Barker) and their son, Augustus Fox, of Old Greenwich, Connecticut; Crosby E. Fox (Kent Collier) and their son, Sullivan Kent, of Decatur, Georgia; William B. Dyke of Boston, Massachusetts; and Emily C. Fox of Brunswick, Maine. He was predeceased in 2010 by his 56-year-old son, Ewing W. Fox, of Lisbon Falls, Maine. The fifth of six children, Mr. Fox is survived by two sisters, June A. Parker of Clearwater, Florida; and Theresa S. Cummings of Ashland, Massachusetts; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, John A. Fox, of Forest Dale, Vermont; and his sisters, Mary E. Reilley and Rita J. Rizzico, both of Clearwater, Florida. He was the son of Charles Leo and Margaret Greenough Fox of Rutland, Vermont.

The family plans a memorial service this summer in Westport, New York, followed by internment at the Chippenhook Cemetery in Clarendon, Vermont, where he will join eight generations of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Westport Fire District Emergency Squad, PO Box 375, Westport, New York, 12993.