Harold “Tot” Francis Morton Sr., 91, of Damariscotta, passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side, on the evening of June 11. He was born in New Harbor on Aug. 17, 1921, to Cyrus and Maude Chadwick Morton. He grew up in New Harbor and graduated from Bristol High School. In 1941, he married Edith Louise Wellman of Nobleboro.
After graduating from Bristol High School, Tot went to Massachusetts to work on a chicken farm. He returned to Maine and became a salesman at Senters in Damariscotta before taking a job at Bath Iron Works as an apprentice electrician. During WWII, Tot enlisted in the Navy and served on the cruiser Chicago in the Pacific. When the war ended, he came back to New Harbor and became a commercial fisherman, clamming, mackerel fishing, seining, lobstering, ground fishing, and at one point, serving as captain of the 133′ pogie boat, Leander Wilcox on a trip from Delaware to North Carolina.
In 1953, Tot and Edith moved to South Bristol with their six children where he continued lobstering and dragging. He was a founding member of the South Bristol Fisherman’s Co-op.
After Tot retired from fishing, he worked at Hannaford in Damariscotta for several years. He and Edith traveled throughout the U.S. and overseas to visit their children and other family members. They spent several winters in Florida before settling in Damariscotta. Tot was a member of the Damariscotta Lions Club for many years, and of the American Legion, Wells-Hussey Post 42. A member of the VFW in New Harbor, he was the first person to sign the organization’s charter.
Tot was predeceased by his wife, Edith; infant son, Barry; daughter, Sandra Reilly and husband Tom; grandchildren, Tamara Leeman and Trent Leeman; sisters, Iverne Morton, Leatha Roth, and Bessie “Betty” Thompson; brother, Earl Morton; and daughter-in-law, Sally Morton.
He is survived by his children and their spouses: Sally Leeman (Thurlow “Sonny”) of South Bristol, Bruce (Margaret) of South Bristol, Geraldine Bowen (Dwight) of Cape Coral, Fla., Susan Lovejoy (Bruce) of Auburn, Cal., and Harold Jr. “Butch” (Christine) of Damariscotta; grandchildren, Joan Goode, Kevin Reilly, Terry Leeman Mitchell, Treana Leeman Whiting, Andrea Morton Grigg, Sean Morton, and Harold “Hank” Morton III; 10 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; sister, Theresa Gamache of Brunswick; and brother, Roderick of Chandler, Ariz. and Dresden.
A memorial service was held on June 18 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home followed by interment in the West Bristol Cemetery in South Bristol.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.