PORTLAND — Stanley John Norbert, 81, of Falmouth, passed away Friday, Jan. 14, at Maine Medical Center, surrounded by loving family following a brief illness.

He was born on a farm in Wales in the midst of a blizzard on Jan. 4, 1930, the son of Lithuanian immigrants, Stanley B. and Pauline (Diringis) Norbert. Raised in Lewiston by his widowed mother who labored in the city’s mills, Stan came to emulate the values she exhibited throughout her life: devotion to family, friends, civility, compassion, optimism and hard work.

Stan graduated from Lewiston High School (where he was a member of the 1947 state champion football team), Maine Maritime Academy, and the University of Maine at Orono, where he received a degree in chemical engineering.

He served in the Merchant Marine and was an officer in the U.S. Navy. He was employed for many years in quality control at S.D Warren, Raytheon, and Fairchild (later National) Semiconductor, where he made life-long friends and helped to provide for his family.

Stan married Joanne Hall of Lewiston on Aug. 4, 1956. Together they raised seven wonderful children, living briefly in Lewiston before settling many years ago in Portland. Some of their favorite family memories are of various road and camping trips, including yearly excursions to North Conway to visit Storyland and Santa’s Village; summers at Goose Rock’s Beach, where Dad would organize beach games for the brood followed by roasted marshmallows over a bonfire; searching for fireflies in nearby fields; and picnics and wiffle ball games at Wolfe’s Neck State Park.

Trips along the Maine coast and to Quebec and Montreal are also treasured family memories. Stan’s passions included his beloved grandchildren, with whom he spent precious time teaching them math, magic, geography and current events; his family and friends; the ocean; nature; music; photography; tennis; baseball (much to his children’s chagrin, he was an avid Yankee’s fan); cribbage; his morning cups of coffee; and travel.

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Stan proudly traced his family roots and made several trips to Lithuania, where he was joyfully reunited with long-lost cousins. He also enjoyed travels across country with his wife, Joanne, and several children, along with trips to Great Britain, France, China, and Indonesia. He was looking forward to visiting New Zealand, and his children have vowed to make the trip in his memory some day.

Stan’s family and friends will remember his optimistic and grateful spirit, his kindness toward others, his belief in the goodness and dignity of all people, and his tremendous sense of humor. His final Christmas gifts to his family were personalized photo albums on which he worked tirelessly during the last year of his life. The albums contain long-lost photos of his ancestors and youth, as well as Joanne’s family from Lewiston, along with notes about family members. The gifts and their timing are precious and will be treasured by family for generations to come.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joanne, of Falmouth; four daughters, Mary of Portland, Paula and her husband, Rich Westley, of Kennebunk, Karen, and her husband, John Sprague, of Kennebunk, and Margaret of Wells; three sons, Christopher of Falmouth, Stephen and his wife, Kim, of Portland and William of Portland; he also leaves behind eight beloved grandchildren, Abby, Matt, Elizabeth, Kate, Emma, Liam, Sam and Erin; along with many special nieces and nephews. He was especially close to his brothers-in-law, Bill Maloy of Falmouth and Fred Hall (and his wife, Charlene) of Lewiston.

Stan was predeceased by his parents, Stanley B. and Pauline (Diringis) Norbert; his sister, “Billi” (Olga) Maloy; and his adored grandson, Elijah.

Stan’s family would like to thank the professional and compassionate staff at Maine Medical Center’s Special Care Unit for their kindness during his brief stay.

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Stan’s guestbook.


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