Robert Arthur Norwood Sr., 78, of East Boothbay, passed away peacefully at the Maine Veterans Home in Augusta on May 8 surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Oct. 29, 1933 in Hull, Mass., the son of the late Ralph and Josephine Emmons Norwood. Growing up, his father was the lighthouse keeper at Boston Head light and the family would spend the summer at the lighthouse and the winters in shore. When he was 13, his family moved to Maine after his dad became the caretaker of Ram Island Light. He was a graduate of Boothbay Region High School, class of 1951.
After finishing high school, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps where he served from 1952 to 1955. After his time in the service, he returned to the Boothbay region where he began work at Blake’s Marina. After his time at Blake’s, he began working for himself aboard his fishing vessel the Angel.
He married his wife Janice Newcomb on Oct. 12, 1957. The couple settled in Boothbay Harbor and then eventually moved to East Boothbay in 1963 where they finished raising their family.
Robert loved nothing more than being outside especially when that time was spent on or around the water. Fishing for his whole life, he was well known throughout the fishing community, often being sought out by other fisherman when they had an issue for his guidance. He was a jack-of-all-trades and could fix just about anything. When he wasn’t fishing, he enjoyed traveling although never very far from home. He was a great storyteller and had a great sense of humor which may have taken some getting used to. A man of few words, but when he did speak, you made sure to listen. He was a family man and made sure to leaving a lasting impression on those closest to him.
He was predeceased by a daughter Jennifer Norwood; brothers, Laforest Norwood, Bruce Norwood, Ralph Norwood, and Dexter Norwood; and sister, Pricilla Reese.
Survivors include his loving wife of 55 years, Janice Norwood of East Boothbay; children, Patricia Hormell and husband Mark of Ashland, N.H., Robert Norwood and wife Anne of Orrs Island, Stephen Norwood of East Boothbay, and Jeffrey Norwood and wife Mary of Boothbay; sisters, Faye Achor of Boothbay Harbor, Wanda Bridges of South Deerfield, Mass., and Georgia Emerson of Boothbay Harbor; grandchildren, Jennifer Stearns and husband Brian, Sarah Groleau and husband Dave, Matthew Norwood and wife Brittany, Aaron Norwood, Scott Norwood, Tim Norwood, Kevin Norwood, Caleb Norwood, and Joshua Norwood; and great-grandchildren, Calla Groleau and Ian Norwood.
Celebration of life 4 p.m., Sat. May 12 at Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home, 975 Wiscasset Rd., Boothbay with Rev. Dr. Sarah Foulger officiating.
You are invited to share your condolences, photos, and tributes with the family by visiting their Book of Memories page at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home, Boothbay.
