Obituary: Vern Fox Jr., 86, Of Guilford

Obituary provided by family

Vern H. Fox, Jr. was born on February 12, 1936 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and passed away on December 26, 2022 after a prolonged hospitalization at the age of 86.

The son of Vern H. Fox, Sr. and Alma E. Beisser Hirsch, he learned how to fly airplanes when he was 15 years old and flew as a naval aviator with the United States Navy from 1958-1966 where he completed several tours on the USS Saratoga.

While in college, Vern enjoyed playing trumpet in his own band. Vern met his wife, Martha Elaine Fox, while he was stationed at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida during his flight training. After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy, Vern became a pilot with American Airlines and moved to Guilford, Connecticut in 1968, as he was based in New York City.

He flew for American Airlines for 30 years, completing his flying career as a Captain in February 1996, flying 727s, 757s, and 767s. Early in his career, he also sold real estate in Guilford and specialized in antique houses. In addition to flying, Vern enjoyed sailing and spent many hours with his family on their sailboat on Long Island Sound. He resided in Guilford for over 30 years where he was a member of the Lion’s Club and a deacon at the First Congregational Church.

In 1989, he and Elaine moved to St. Petersburg, Florida where he became an usher at the Pasadena Community Church for over 20 years. After retirement, Vern and Elaine enjoyed travelling, particularly going on cruises with their friends. He is survived by his loving wife of 60.5 years, Martha Elaine Fox and his two daughters, CAPT (USPHS) LeAnne Fox, MD, MPH, DTM&H (David Elwood, MD) and Lisa Fox, Esq., LLM (Weber Smith, III, MD), two grandsons, Sebastian Fox Elwood and Theodore Fox Elwood, and numerous close friends and neighbors.

Funeral services will be held January 4th, 2023 at 1 PM at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5750 49^th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33709. Flowers may be sent to Memorial Park Funeral Home.