1934

RANGELEY — Norman R. Glidden, 81, of Rangeley, died in the loving arms of his beloved soul mate in the early morning hours of Thursday, Dec. 10.

He was born on Sept. 23, 1934, in Wolfboro, N.H., a son of Norman Baker and Agnes (Davis) Glidden. He was a graduate of Plymouth High School and attended Connecticut University on a football scholarship. A sports related injury sidelined him and he began his career in the food industry. For many years, he was a sales representative for Gerber Baby Food and Fruit Punch drinks. He later worked in the early ’60s as the manager of mobile home sales in Berlin, N.H. It was there that he met his kindred spirit, Carmen Grenon, whom he married on Nov. 1, 1970, in Rangeley. For 27 years, they owned The Oquossoc House; he was the “front man” and she was in charge of “her kitchen.”

Norman found his home in the western Maine mountains and devoted much time to caring for those who shared his love of the Rangeley Lakes Region. He was a communicant of Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, had served on the dental association, a committee that recruited young dentists to the area and was a member of Kemankeag Masonic Lodge No. 213. For 12 years, he helped Santa Claus, (when he himself couldn’t make the journey from the North Pole) and served in his place as Santa for the annual Christmas Giving Tree party — receiving perhaps the greatest gift by seeing the joy in the childrens’ eyes.

He was a sports fan who favored the Patriots and Notre Dame. He was also an outdoorsman who particularly enjoyed fishing.

Norman’s greatest pleasure was being in the company of his family and friends and was blessed and grateful to see so many dear ones at his 80th birthday celebration and his most recent surprise 45th wedding anniversary party.

He is loved by his wife, Carmen, of Rangeley; their daughter, Gisele Glidden of Rangeley; two children, Kevin Glidden and Barbara Glidden, both of Tampa, Fla.; two stepdaughters, Joanne Blais of Ft. Worth, Texas and Jasmine D. Brown of the Rumford Community Home; eight grandchildren, Nicole Blais, Brad Blais, Renee Blais, Morgan Glidden, Victoria Glidden, Kevin, Nicole and Heather; four great-grandchildren, Gabriella Ibarra, Giovanni Ibarra, Sivannah Stephens and Claira Perales; a sister, Ella Morris of New Jersey; two brothers, Robert Glidden and his wife, Ann, of Wakefield, N.H., and John Glidden of Scarborough; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his folks; two sisters, Maryanne Glidden and Dolly Clow; a brother, Tom Glidden; and a grandson, Jordan Baker Glidden.

You are invited to share memories and condolences on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.