BOWDOIN — “Bud” Merton E. Wagg, 89, of Lewis Hill Road died Thursday, Nov. 26, at his home surrounded by loving members of his family.

He was born in Bowdoin on Nov. 12, 1921, the son of James and Edna (Buker) Wagg. He was a lifelong citizen of Bowdoin and Bath, well known and respected by the people of surrounding towns, attending local schools in Bowdoin.

He was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Army as a member of the 234th Combat Engineer Battalion. During his service in the European theater, he was at the Normandy Beach invasion on D-Day.

He married Beatrice H. Sheen in Bowdoin on July 1, 1950.

He was employed at the Bonafide Mill in Lisbon Falls and Bath Iron Works for 30-plus years as a painter and sandblaster, retiring in 1986. He was a 50-plus year member of American Legion Post No. 202 of Topsham, VFW Post No. 9150 of Lewiston, and a lifetime member of the Topsham Fair Agricultural Society.

Bud, in his younger years, enjoyed training raccoon hounds and attending field trials and water races throughout the great state of Maine. Additionally he worked in the woods harvesting trees with a bucksaw and team of oxen. He was a self-taught guitar player who never read music but would hear songs and lyrics and then play them flawlessly, a rare talent. His hobbies and interests included raising vegetables, playing cards, attending fairs and watching ox pulling and harness racing.

He was a devoted and dedicated family man that would make personal sacrifices for the betterment of all. As a father, he enjoyed his children, especially family vacations at Lake Sebasticook in Newport; and as a grandfather, he ensured they all had special memories and the understanding of quality time spent with them, whether it was singing them a song, taking rides through the country or taking them out to eat. As a great-grandfather, he reaped the benefits of their youthful vigor and spirit knowing that the next generation was here to carry on and they all put a smile on his face. He was a true gentleman even in his advancing years, as he would never miss the opportunity to hold the door for the ladies and greet them with some pleasantry. He was an avid New York Yankee fan.

He is survived by his sister, June Wheeler, of Bowdoin; a daughter, Brenda Bussiere and her husband, Armand, of Durham; and sons, Merle E. Wagg and his wife, Deborah, of Bowdoin, and James and Mary Pike of Bowdoin. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Merle J.Wagg of Bowdoin, Julie A. Wagg of Bowdoinham, Theresa Pinkham of Georgetown, Ryan C. Lemelin of Bowdoin, James Wagg of Bowdoin and Brian M. Wagg of Bath; and eight great-grandchildren, Jesse, Ariel, Haliegh, Nicholas, Matthew, Margaret, Jacob and Kayleigh.

He was predeceased by his wife “Bea;” a sister, Margaret; and two infant children, daughter Lorraine, and son Ralph.

The entire family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Benjamin S. Herman and his nurse, Diane, as well as the entire CHANS Hospice staff during this trying and difficult time. Their professionalism and support was extremely beneficial to all family members and ensured Bud received the comfort and dignity he so richly deserved.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.crosmanfunersalhome.com.