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

Waite was born Aug. 27, 1918 in Leeds, the son of Silas and Bertha Waite. He grew up on a farm in Leeds and graduated from Leavitt Institute in Turner.

He contributed to the war effort by working at Bryant Chucking and Grinding Company in Sprinfield, Vt., and later joined the Air Corps. He was a lifelong supporter of Masonic Lodge Asylum #133 in Leeds.

Growing up on a farm taught Waite to live with what you have, and he could make anything and grow any plant or vegetable. His true talent was in woodworking, he crafted beautiful furniture. He loved spending time with his family on Androscoggin Lake. He enjoyed the simplicities in life and was kind, caring and gentle. 

Waite married Florence Catherine Dickmann of Queens, N.Y., June 1, 1947. They spent the next 57 years together in a marriage filled with love and devotion. After marrying, they spent eight years in Liberty, N.Y., then moved to Summit Park Avenue in Portland, where they raised their family and resided ever since.

He spent his career working at Portland Lithograph from 1958 until his retirement.

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

He is survived by his daughters, Priscilla Rundin, and husband, John, of Falmouth, and Debra Waite, and husband, Charles Carroll, of Shrewsbury, Mass.; a 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.

His wish was to have his life celebrated rather than mourned. Burial will be in the Leeds Cemetery in the spring.

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