
Yarmouth, ME — Gene D. Norris, 67, of Troutdale, VA formerly of Waterboro, died on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Auburn Hospice House.
He was born on August 6, 1948 a son of the late Ernest & Othel Norris. Gene grew up in Ayer, MA attending local area schools and graduating from Ayer High School. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the US Army, serving two tours in Vietnam, in the infantry division. He served as a paratrooper and was a part of the Long-range reconnaissance patrols or LRRPs unit. Gene received the Army Commendation Medal and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. Gene was also a proud member of the 173D Airborne Brigade Association.
After returning home, Gene moved to Maine where he started his family and returned to school. He attended USM Gorham & Portland and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Education with a minor in Agriculture.
Gene was a teacher for many years throughout the Massabesic School District after which he became an over the road truck driver, traveling from Maine to California. When Gene decided that long-haul driving was no longer for him, he became a local driver for Moulison North out of Biddeford. He became a great friends with the owner Ken, they would take many trips together both personal and work related. Ken said that “Gene was a true friend, not just someone who worked for me.”
He had a great love for football, playing all through high school and going on to coach the first youth football league in Waterboro, ME. Not only was he a big Patriots fan, but he adored the Greely Football Teams, following his grandchildren through their youth football career. He would make sure to arrange his schedule to be in Maine, every year for football season. His presence was always known when he would pull up to football events on his Harley Davidson. Gene was a classical man’s man, with his love of the outdoors, kayaking and hunting. He loved listening to “great Music”; Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson and Janis Joplin to name a few. He saw Janis Joplin in concert once and said “she wasn’t much to look at, but man could she sing”. Gene was an avid reader all his life and loved John Wayne movies.
His legacy is his family, he was a true family man, exceptional father and an amazing grandfather, leaving behind his number one daughter Amy Perham and her husband Michael of Yarmouth, ME and two sons Robert Norris and his wife Christel of Virginia and Donald Norris of Biddeford. Two nieces Khristine Perez and La’Raesa Norris both of IL and his grandchildren; Brian Gouin Jr., Isaiah Richardson & Coles Stiles of Yarmouth, Me, Trey & Kori Norris of Limerick, Me. and Donnie & David Norris of Biddeford, Me. He was also the brother of the late Lonnie Rodgers and Ann Norris. Everyone who knew him said he was a true, genuine and sincere man.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Saturday, February 13, 2016 from 12 – 2 p.m. at the Wilde Memorial Chapel in Evergreen Cemetery, 672 Stevens Ave. Portland, ME. A funeral service, officiated by Pastor Jeff Logan, will follow at 2 p.m. at the Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to The Wounded Warrior Project at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ or the Dempsey Center, 10 High Street, Lewiston, ME 04240