SOUTH PORTLAND – Wayne L. Wing, 61, died unexpectedly Jan. 30. He was born Sept. 8, 1954, in New Brunswick, New Jersey to Leroy and Mary (Dicely) Wing.

Wing lived in several states due to his father’s military service, and moved to Oxford Hills at the age of 12. He was a 1972 graduate of Oxford Hills High School and attended the University of Southern Maine.

Wing worked at the Maine Youth Center as a counselor supervisor, and at both Portland and South Portland schools as a special education teacher. Most recently, Wing worked at the Double Tree Hotel. However, his true passion was volunteer work; Wing held positions in many community organizations. From volunteering with Big Brothers, Big Sisters and the Maine Special Olympics, when he was younger, to helping with anything related to his daughters and their sports, Wing loved anything related to sports and teaching.

Wing was a coach and president of the South Portland Little League; president of the South Portland High School soccer and lacrosse boosters; a youth soccer referee throughout southern Maine; and a basketball, soccer, softball and track coach in both South Portland and Cape Elizabeth.

Wing also enjoyed reading, traveling, watching the New York Giants and Boston Red Sox, animals, and anything to do with history, especially military history. He will always be remembered for his humor, kindness and dependability.

Wing was predeceased by his parents, Leroy and Mary Wing and a brother-in-law, Tom Nurmi.

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He is survived by his wife of 39 years Lillian (Akeley) Wing; two daughters, Brianna Wing and Jenna Wing; a sister, Marilee Nurmi, two nieces, Hillary Nurmi and Heather Nurmi; a brother-in-law, Lee Akeley; and a niece, Emily Akeley.

A funeral service was held Feb. 5, at Hobbs Funeral Home, with burial and a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Greater Portland Animal Refuge League at www.arlgp.org/donate, or the South Portland High School Girls basketball program care of South Portland Athletics, 637 Highland Ave., South Portland, ME 04106.

Wing


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