1929 – 2014

SOUTH PARIS — Earl S. Laidlaw of Norway passed away peacefully at the Maine Veterans’ Home in South Paris on Friday, July 25, surrounded by loving family and friends.

Known to many as “Bill,” Earl was born to Earl Chester and Alfreda (Small) Laidlaw on Sept. 11, 1929, in Oak Bluffs, Mass. Raised in Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard Island, he later moved to Portland.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1948 to 1952 as a weatherman and military policeman. After graduating from the Portland School of Law, he became chief deputy clerk of the U.S. District Court of Maine and subsequently clerk of the U.S. District Court from 1974 to 1977. Earl then moved to Norway, where he continued to practice law at Dow’s Law Office until his retirement in 2008. He was a lifelong Mason.

Earl achieved his childhood dream of flying in 1991, when he obtained his private pilot’s license.

He is survived by five children, Eric Laidlaw and his wife, Aesook, of Norway, Schonen Wing and her husband, Marland, of Westbrook, Morgen Silver and her husband, Gregory, of Phillips, Kristopher Laidlaw of Chicago and Sarah Benn and her husband, Shawn, of Westbrook. He leaves behind 24 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his oldest son, Karl Laidlaw of Norway, and his great-grandson, Kobe Huynh of Auburn.

Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.

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