Emerson “Lee” Noddin

LEWISTON – On April 15, 2026, our family’s guiding spiritual light and loving leader went to meet his Lord and Savior. Emerson “Lee” Noddin was a devoted husband, loving father, provider, inventor, musician, environmentalist, person in long-term recovery, jail minister, lector, outdoorsman, business leader, and one of the funniest people you could ever meet. To his family, he was our hero, our very own “Captain Kirk”, who completed every mission no matter how difficult. He ran the race, fulfilled his purpose, and now he rests in peace.

Lee was born in Cambridge, Mass. on Sept. 9, 1944, to Emerson W. and Dorothy Noddin. His family soon moved to Gulf Island Avenue in Lewiston where his father served as Superintendent of the Gulf Island Dam. Lee spent his childhood exploring the woods along the Androscoggin River: catching brook trout, hunting with a bow, and developing a lifelong love of the outdoors.

At the age of 10, Lee received his first guitar and began lessons. When his teacher couldn’t teach rock ’n’ roll, Lee taught himself by playing records endlessly, learning the chords, riffs, and vocals of Chuck Berry, Elvis, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the Everly Brothers. By 13, he was playing in bars on weekends, with his father dropping him off and picking him up after gigs. Throughout his life, people asked whether he brought his guitar and usually he had. He loved to play guitar and sing for audiences, big and small. Lee brought joy to countless people through his six decades of performing.

Lee loved sports, especially football and baseball, and fondly remembered PAL baseball and playing football for Norm Parent at Lewiston High School, where he was voted class clown. It was at LHS that he met the love of his life, Millie Quinn. They married at 19 on Nov. 22, 1963, and soon welcomed sons Bruce (1964) and Bill (1965). Lee shined as a father, teaching his boys to fish, attending every game and most practices, and serving as an officer with the Auburn Suburban Little League. Most of all, Lee showed his sons what unconditional love is. How being a man meant you loved with all your being and you always showed up, even when things got hard.

A tireless provider, Lee often worked three jobs: a full-time day job, a weekend job, and playing in bands at night. In the 1970s he worked for Albany International and later became U.S. plant manager for Albarrie Environmental Systems, where he developed innovative air-filtration designs that earned multiple U.S. patents. His expertise took him around the world, advising industries on emissions and air-quality systems.

One of Lee and Millie’s greatest blessings was their family camp on the Tacoma Lakes, where children and grandchildren spent summers swimming, fishing, tubing, and gathering around the cobblestone fireplace. Lee loved taking people on boat rides and especially loved ice fishing, where he reliably helped the family catch 4 to 5-pound brook trout every New Year’s Day for nearly 30 years.

In retirement, Lee worked with his son, Bill flipping houses while continuing environmental consulting. He served as a lector at Sacred Heart Church and spent nearly a decade in the Androscoggin County Jail Ministry, where he became a beloved presence. Men still ask about him and share how his words changed their lives. He was able to join his son, Bruce, for one last Christmas Day “church” session at the jail in 2025, a moment treasured by all.

Lee was known for his unconditional generosity. If you were in need, he was in the habit of giving and expecting nothing in return. His children, family, and friends could never repay him for the numerous gifts he gave so freely throughout his life.

Finally, Lee would be the first to tell you, he would be nothing without his soulmate, best friend, and love of his life, Millie. They spent 62 years together; laughing, crying, celebrating, mourning, travelling, and just enjoying each other. Their relationship is the model for our entire family to follow and their boundless love for each other, our family, and friends will live on for generations.

Lee is survived by his loving wife, Mildred “Millie-Quinn” Noddin; son, Bruce and his wife Susan “Bilodeau” Noddin, son, William “Bill”; granddaughter, Paris “Noddin” Bannister and her husband Kevin Bannister, grandson, Tyler Noddin and partner Luis Gonzalez, grandson, Brooks Noddin, granddaughter, Alicia Noddin; great-grandson, Stetson Bannister; niece, Pamela O’Leary, niece, Sharon “O’Leary” Morrisette; and sister-in-law, Kathleen “Quinn” Raubeson.

Lee was predeceased by his mother, Dorothy “Ferson” Noddin, father, Emerson W. Noddin; sister, Shirley “Noddin” O’Leary; great-grandson, Blair Noddin; father-in-law, John Quinn, and mother-in-law, Bernadette “Leclerc” Quinn.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation for Lee on Monday, April 27 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Fortin & Pinette Group, 217 Turner St. Auburn, ME 04210. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Tuesday, April 28 at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 8 Sacred Heart Place, Auburn, ME 04210.