Martin Donald Norris

With the heaviest of hearts, we are saddened to announce the passing of Martin Donald Norris, beloved husband, father and friend to so many. He passed away peacefully at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, Maine at 5:42 pm on September 27th, 2025.

Martin was born on July 29th,1932 in Bangor, Maine and was the son of the late John M. and Martha Mary (Skriptenuate) Norris, and brother to the late John J. Norris and his wife Margaret Norris, Walter J. Norris and his wife Doris McIntyre, and Mary M. Shaboski and her husband Stanley Shaboski. He was predeceased by his cherished wife, Joanne (Chisholm) Norris, of 70 years on 7/15/2024 and is survived by his son David Norris of Farmington, ME, daughters Sandra Norris Futterrer and her wife Liz Futterrer of Eliot, ME and Laurie Norris and her husband, Brandon Smith of Atlanta, GA, as well as uncle to many nieces and nephews.

He grew up in Bangor with his Lithuanian parents, two brothers and sister. His family was very religious and grew up very close, spending time together all throughout life, as much as possible. He learned to love and later carry on the family tradition of cooking. His favorites included: potato pancakes (bulviniai blynai), a potato, onion and bacon dish (kugelis), and stuffed cabbage rolls (galumpkis). His love of food was a theme throughout his life; angel hair pasta with meatballs, chicken tenders, pizza, Italian sandwiches and Chinese food were amongst his favorites.

Martin met Joanne at a dance, they dated and were later married in June 1954 and thus began their life together. He then enlisted in active duty for the US Air Force, where they were stationed all over the US for 22 years, to include Presque Isle and Bangor, Maine; Honolulu, Hawaii; Scott AFB, Illinois; Charleston, South Carolina and Dover, Delaware twice. They would adopt three children and raise them all across the US, landing in Belfast, ME in 1975, calling it home for 11 years. He worked evenings in order to attend college during the day and completed an Associate of Arts on May 20th,1973 and a Bachelor of Science in Business on December 23rd ,1983 at the University of Maine at Orono. After living in Berwick, ME for many years, where Martin worked at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, they eventually moved on to Kittery to the Meeting House Village, where they resided for over 18 years.

He and Joanne had a special and unique bond where family, travelling, music, reading and movies were a focus. He always made time to be an amazing father, attending concerts, sporting events, plays, music lessons and other various activities, always while working and studying. He taught catechism class on Sundays and chaperoned various school field trips. He was a great storyteller and would relate fantastical stories with sound for dramatic effect. If you were fortunate to be in his orbit, you were the center of his universe. On weekends, he loved to be outdoors and had always wanted to be a forest ranger; fishing was his favorite hobby, he tied flies and liked to scope out ponds and streams for his next excursion. He also loved gardening, swimming, walking along the beach and he could skip a rock 12-14 hops. ;) He also enjoyed playing pool, board games, cards with friends and neighbors, as well as telling jokes - he loved to make people laugh. Community was very important to him, and he made lifelong connections with people easily. Martin was an honest, caring and hardworking man who was devoted to his family, church and his community. He was more than just a neighbor; he was a good friend and would go out of his way for people. Martin and Joanne both always had their humor about them, and it is often thought to be the key to their long, successful lives. Lastly, he was known as the candy man - he would hand out candy to young and old alike, wherever he went, whether at church, the grocery store, running errands or doctors' appointments. He will be greatly missed and will be remembered for his love, generosity and kind heart. His infectious smile, laugh and love will be with us always. May you rest in peace!

~ In lieu of flowers, buy a lottery ticket or scratch off, we hope you win and if so, consider a donation of your choice in Martin's name ~