1918 – 2013

PORTLAND — Norman Philip Waite Sr., 94, died Feb. 14, at St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation & Residence, with his family by his side.

He was born at home in Leeds, on Aug. 27, 1918, the son of Silas and Bertha (Grant) Waite.

Norman grew up on a farm in Leeds. He graduated from Leavitt Institute in Turner. Norman contributed to the war effort by working at Bryant Chucking and Grinder Company in Springfield, Vt.,  then joined the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a lifelong member of the Masonic Lodge Asylum No. 133 in Leeds.

On Sunday, June 1, 1947, Norman married Florence Catherine Dickmann of Maspeth, Queens, N.Y., marking the beginning of a wonderful marriage and life together, full of love and devotion, for the next 57 years. After marrying, they spent eight years in Liberty, N.Y., before moving to Summit Park Avenue in Portland, where they raised their family and resided ever since.

Norman’s career was spent at Portland Lithogragh, from 1958 until his retirement.

Growing up on a farm in Leeds set the tone for the rest of Norman’s life, where you learned to live with what you had, make do and waste not. Norman could fix anything, replicate anything or grow any flower or vegetable. His true talent was in woodworking and craftsmanship. He crafted beautiful furniture, from an elaborate diningroom hutch to a doll house, complete with tiny furniture.

Norman enjoyed reading about history, the Civil War and aviation. He liked to spend time with his family on Androscoggin Lake and had a full garden every summer. Norman enjoyed the simplicities in life and was kind, caring and gentle. His integrity, strong values and morals were passed onto his family and will be a legacy left.

He is survived by his two daughters, Priscilla Rundin and husband, John, of Falmouth, and Debra Waite and husband, Charles Carroll, of Shrewsbury, Mass.; son, Norman Waite Jr. and his wife, Louise, of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; seven grandchildren, Jason Donahue, Andrea Donahue, Sarah Shlatz, David Waite, William Carroll, James Carroll and Victoria Carroll; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Norman is predeceased by his beloved wife, Florence, in 2005; three sisters, Mildred Estes, Alice Waite, and Edna Whetzel; and his brother, Edson Waite.

Norman’s wish was to have his life celebrated and not mourned.

Notes of condolences may be left at www.ctcrawford.com.

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