Simon Wickes Westcott Jr.

Wickes lived a long and happy life in which he was a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle to his extended family. He was also always ready to help his friends and support the local community. He passed away August 14, 2022, less than one month before his 99th birthday.

Wickes was born in Chestertown, Maryland on September 6, 1923, the youngest of three siblings (two sisters both deceased: Mary Woodland Gould and Elizabeth [Beppy] Bryan,). He was his parents' (Simon Wickes Sr. and Elizabeth Hurtt Westcott) only son. He spent his youth sailing on the Chester River, which marked the beginning of a lifelong love of boating. When he was 16, he moved with his parents to a farm near Locust Grove, Maryland, which remained his home for over 80 years. He attended the University of Maryland, though his tenure there was interrupted by the advent of World War II. He volunteered for the Army and was ultimately stationed in the Philippines. After the war, he returned to the university and met his beloved wife of 50 years, Gertrude Dorsey (died 2000). Together, they took over running the Westcott family farm and raised their family there. His children remember a happy home and many adventures around the farm and at the family property on Marsh Point.

Wickes remained passionate about boating and began chartering boats and providing moorings to boat owners in the Sassafras river, Daffodil Island Cove. Later, he acquired the Gregg Neck Boatyard and became a full-time operator. Even after retiring and turning over daily operations to his younger sons, he remained a fixture at the boatyard. He loved to stroll around and chat with his customers. He could strike up a conversation with anyone he met and form life-long friendships. He will be remembered for his unparallel affinity for always doing whatever he could to make other people smile. He was a lover of wooden boats and donated to the Sassafras River Association (now part of ShoreRivers), Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Sultana Education Foundation in Chestertown.

Wickes volunteered with many community programs including the Farm Bureau Federation, the Kent Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Galena Lions Club. Kent County residents may remember some of his work for the Farm Bureau by the loads of Florida citrus fruit he helped unpack and deliver around Christmas time for many years. His office walls were full of Farm Bureau service awards. He was honored recently for his long service (52 years) as a board member and chair of the Kent Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors. He was also a member of the Galena Lions Club and was awarded life membership in 2009 after 47 years of service. For many years, he was a member of the Shrewsbury church vestry and he also served as an election attendant at the Kennedyville precinct where he knew most of the residents. He will be missed by many.

Wickes is survived by his three sons and two daughters: Simon Wickes, Claude Dorsey, Sarah Louise, Cornelius Scott, and Laura Elizabeth. His grandchildren include Audrey, Stephen, Sarah, Nathan, Bergen, Timothy and step-grandchildren Jamie and Billy. His great grandchildren include Ada Louise, Elliot, Wayland, Faye, Roy Wickes, and step-great grandchild Grey.

The funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on September 3, 2022, at Shrewsbury Church, Kennedyville, MD with a reception following at Shrewsbury parish hall. In lieu of flowers please send a donation to ShoreRivers, https://www.shorerivers.org/donate , due to his love of the rivers, or the Compass Hospice Center, Centreville, MD, https://compassregionalhospice.org/donate/ who assisted in providing him loving care at the end of his life.

arrangements by Galena Funeral Home of Stephen L. Schaech