STANDISH – Wells Marshall Potter was a man who liked to be on the go.
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Saturdays meant bean suppers and dances. Then there was camping, snowmobiling and, of course, motorcycling — a pastime that took Mr. Potter and his wife, Eva, up and down Mount Washington, to 46 states and five Canadian provinces.
“He always liked to be out and traveling somewhere,” said David Potter of Jefferson, Vt., one of Mr. Potter’s sons. “He and my mom used to take short trips around the area. I think they knew every road for six counties around. They knew all the roads around.”
Mr. Potter, a longtime Standish resident, died Friday. He was 94.
Born in West Buxton, Mr. Potter went to Standish High School. He worked as a trucker and rigger, retiring in 1975. He moved from Standish to an assisted living facility in Richmond, Vt., in the fall.
With his shock of white hair and the beard or moustache he sported at times, Mr. Potter was a striking figure on his bike. His wife, who died in 1995, would ride double behind him.
Mr. Potter was a founding member of the Golden Eagles Motorcycle Club and started a charity ride at Mount Washington — an accomplishment he remained characteristically modest about even as it grew into a large event.
“He’d just say, ‘Might as well go for a ride, might as well go somewhere interesting,’ ” said Bonnie Potter, his daughter-in-law.
Motorcycles remained a passion even after a frightening accident. The couple hit a moose one early evening and went off the road. They suffered broken ribs and fingers and lots of scratches but were spared more serious injuries by the windshield and fairing. After that, they decided to end their rides before dark but kept on riding.
Mr. Potter was able to keep up with his dancing until just a couple of years ago. He didn’t get up for as many dances as in his younger years but he thoroughly enjoyed the several spins he’d have around the dance floor.
While Mr. Potter was a relatively quiet man, he took great pleasure in the company of his friends, fellow snowmobilers,bikers and family.
Visitation and the funeral will be in Buxton, with the burial following at Hillcrest Cemetery in Hollis.
Staff Writer Ann S. Kim can be contacted at 791-6383 or at:
akim@pressherald.comPASSAGES
Each day the newsroom selects one obituary and seeks to learn more about the life of a person who has lived and worked in Maine. We look for a person who has made a mark on the community or the person’s family and friends in lasting ways.
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