Floyd J. Folsom

Floyd "Bill" Goodwin Folsom, Jr., of Alfred, died May 22, 2015 at the age of 88. He was born May 23, 1926 in Lawrence, MA to Floyd Goodwin Folsom, Sr. and Grace Noyes Folsom, both school teachers. He lived in Chelsea MA until he graduated from high school and immediately entered the United States Navy "SeaBees" in 1944, where he was deployed in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. He served on the M.S. Sommelsdijk until it was torpedoed on Christmas 1944, surviving with his shipmates on an enemy-occupied island for several months until they could be rescued. He was a Bronze Star recipient for valor, and during his time in the Naval Construction Battalion, he helped build airstrips and facilities on Pacific islands.He graduated from Boston University with a degree in Journalism in 1950 after also attending UMass Amherst and Northeastern on the GI Bill, and he was employed by the General Electric Company throughout his career as an executive in Advertising, Public Relations, and Marketing. Bill started at the Schenectady NY headquarters of GE and transferred to International GE in NYC and then to the GE plant in Lynn MA, traveling internationally for the Marine Turbine and Gear division.Married December 17, 1949 to his wife of 65 years, Phyllis May (Widegren) Folsom, they resided in Schenectady NY, Norwalk, CT, Topsfield MA, and Alfred ME.Bill was a faithful church member who often held leadership positions as trustee or deacon in order to give of his talents. He prayed for his family, friends, and his country throughout his life and lived as a faithful Christian role model, influencing his loved ones to follow his quiet leading.Bill enjoyed time throughout his entire life at Mousam Lake in Acton, ME where he built and maintained several cottages for his family, whom have inherited his love of lakeside living, swimming, and boating. He built boats, furniture, toys, and bird houses, and was well read in a wide range of interests, debating topics with his nurses during the nights of his final hospitalization in Biddeford. He was a storyteller and writer and teacher, passing along practical knowledge and humorous tales of his youth in his memoir, "My Life and Times in the Early 1930's to the Early 1950's". He taught us how to read and write, do long division and algebra, how to parallel park and change a tire, how to make pickles and baked beans, and how to live as good people in this world and beyond. He was aPast President of the Folsom Family Association.Dedicated to his family which included his three children, six grandchildren and one great granddaughter, he was well loved and respected by all who met him, worked with him, or those who knew him in all walks of life. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis May Widegren Folsom, of Alfred and Acton, his son Todd Christopher Folsom of Bellingham WA, Todd's wife Carol Wilcox, granddaughter Katrina, grandson Craig. His daughter Jill Candace Folsom Bonina of Gloucester MA, her companion Mark Evans, triplet granddaughters Jessica Bonina Sutera and Scott Sutera, Jennifer Bonina Noseworthy and Josh Noseworthy, great granddaughter Isabel Ann Noseworthy, and Jolene Bonina Pexioto and Miguel Pexioto.His daughter Virginia May Folsom McCluskey, and her husband Steven McCluskey, of Venice FL, granddaughter Samantha May McCluskey.He leaves one brother Stanley Noyes Folsom and his companion Paul Martin Brown, of Ocala FL and Acton ME.Family and friends will be invited to share memories and stories of their times with Bill Folsom at a memorial service this summer in Maine. Internment with military honors will take place at a later date at the family plot at Riverside Cemetery in Springvale ME.