WELLS — Emile F. “Moe” Steele, 78, born Nov. 16, 1936, passed away quietly on March 4 in Port Orange, Florida.

Moe will be remembered for his famous saying, “Ta Ta for Now!”, and as being a people person who was always ready to help those in need and make people laugh.

He lived most of his life in Billerica, Massachusetts and graduated from Howe High School in 1954. He played semi-pro football in the Boston area.

Moe served in the Army in Korea from 1959-1962 as a military policeman. He joined the Billerica police department, serving for 32 years before retiring as captain. Moe attended the FBI Academy and founded the Northeast Regional Police Institute in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, as education was important to him. At age 50, he obtained his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College.

Moe was an avid motorcyclist and belonged to the Triple Towers and Compass Riders Motorcycle Clubs of Burlington, Massachusetts, which sparked his love for his many adventures exploring the U.S. and Canada.

In 1982, he became a summer resident of Moody. He met his wife, Beverly, in 1991 and together they ran Your Body Works Massage in Wells. Moe was the president of the Wells Chamber of Commerce for six years. Moe founded the Chili Fest, Harbor Fest, and the fund raising efforts for the Wells Harbor Park Playground. He coined the phrase, “Wells, the Friendliest Town in Maine,” and he set-up the 911 Memorial Monuments with a prayer bell in Wells Harbor. Moe had a life well lived.

He is preceded in death by: his son, Daniel Steele; brother, Robert Steele; and sister, Joan Folland Berthiaume.

He is survived by: his wife, Beverly Steele; two daughters, Cheryl Steele and Carol Steele of Billerica Massachusetts; stepdaughter, Bobbie Jellison and her husband Steven Jellison of Wells; stepson, Marc Cuthbertson of Wells; seven grandchildren, Amanda, David, Summer, Taylor, Bennie, Adam and Hayden; his brother, George and his wife Marye Steele of Port Orange, Florida; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at www.cff.org, the Wells Ogunquit Football and Cheering Association Fund in honor of Emile F. Steele, or Kennebunk Savings Bank at 646-5144, Route 109, Sanford Road, Wells, ME 04090.

A celebration of life service will be held on March 22 at 1 p.m. at Messiah Christian Church, 2700 Post Road, Wells ME 04090. For more information, contact the church office at 985-9287.

There will be a graveside ceremony at Fox Hill Cemetery in Billerica, Massachusetts on a day and time to be announced in the future.

Arrangements are under the care of Heritage Funeral & Cremation Service, Port Orange, Florida. Thoughts and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.heritagedaytona.com.