George E. Gorham

Gorham, George E., 65, July 30, 2009.  Arrangements by Dennett, Craig & Pete, Saco.  Interment to be held in the Laurel Hill Cemetery, Saco.
    SACO – George Edwin Gorham, age 65, of Ocean Greens Drive, died unexpectedly on July 30, 2009, in Saco. He was born in Houlton, on May 27, 1944, a loving son of George and Doris (Lawrence) Gorham.
    George grew up a true County boy, picking potatoes, playing baseball, fishing, and visiting grandparents in Canada every weekend.
    George graduated from Houlton High School in 1962 and then from the University of Maine at Farmington in 1966 with a B.S. in Elementary Education. He obtained his M.S. in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Maine at Orono in 1970. In 1966, he married his favorite Farmington co-ed, Norma McQuilkin of Canaan. Together they raised "the girls" in Hampden, where his vegetable gardens and raspberries flourished. Hiking Mt. Katahdin with friends and family was a favorite autumn pastime.
    An avid outdoorsman, George relished nature, whether it be while casting in a favorite fishing hole, skating on the pond by moonlight, picking fiddleheads in secret locations, or listening to the frogs in his own backyard.
    Professionally, George dedicated his life to fostering the emotional health of children in kindergarten through third grade. First he worked as a teacher in the Millinocket and Bangor Schools, and then spent the next 33 years working as an Elementary Guidance Counselor in the Bangor School System. George was the chief scooper at Ice Cream Socials and was loved and respected by all.
    Upon his retirement in 2004, George and Norma relocated to Saco to begin a life surrounded by their girls, their adoring grandchildren, as well as George’s brothers, cousins, and their special families. George and Norma felt embraced by the ministers and congregation of First Parish Church, where they served together as deacons and devoted members of this faith community.
    The joy of George’s life was the extended time spent nurturing his grand-children through reading, playing checkers, hiking to the "mint tree", berry picking, and learning the joy of a job well done. George also felt so grateful for the special bonds he enjoyed with his close friends and neighbors.
    He is survived by his wife, Norma and mother-in-law, Elizabeth McQuilkin of Saco; daughter, Amy Roberts and her husband Brian of Newburyport, MA; daughter, Angela Galeucia and her husband Michael of Scarborough; his five grandchildren: Hannah, Lindsey Dorie, Nicholas, Owen, and Theo; brother, Dick Gorham and his wife Jill of Westbrook; brother, Frank Gorham and his wife Kathy of Gray, and 13 nieces and nephews.
    The light that George brought to this world impacted the lives of everyone he met. He is remembered for his rosy cheeks, twinkling eyes, and easy laugh. His devotion was unrestrained, whether it be to the long term care of his mother, his mother-in-law, or to his 1967 Mustang Convertible. He was especially generous with his patience, kindness, and love of the simple things in life. He will be sorely missed by all.
    A funeral service was held on Monday, August 3rd, at 1 p.m. at First Parish Congregational Church UCC in Saco. Senior Minister Douglas Nielsen, and Reverends Peter Mercer and Abby Lynn Campbell officiated.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Center for Grieving Children, 555 Forest Avenue, Portland, ME 04101 or to First Parish Congregational Church, 12 Beach Street, Saco, ME 04072. Dennett, Craig & Pate, 365 Main St, Saco are in charge of the arrangements. Private family burial will be at Laurel Hill Cemetery.