Norman Leighton Smith

North Yarmouth: Norman L. Smith was born July 21, 1921, the son of Lester F. and Mildred Leighton Smith of North Yarmouth. He died Thursday, October 9, 2014, holding the hand of his beloved wife of 70 years, Anna, having lived his entire life in the town of North Yarmouth. Norm was proud to trace his roots back to the Mayflower and his ancestors were among the town's original settlers.

Norm graduated in 1939 from Greely Institute. After graduation, he owned and operated a successful poultry business with his father Lester and brother Sidney for over 30 years – a time when many farms failed. Norman married Anna Shirley Meserve of Scarborough on June 18, 1944, the day he always referred to as “the best day of his life”. They built a house together in North Yarmouth in 1946 and lived there over 68 years.

During WWII, Norm served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific and was selected as a member of General Douglas MacArthur’s Honor Guard. While in Japan, he was assigned to guard duty at MacArthur’s residence and the Embassy. He often told stories about “Big Brass” coming to visit and he was at the gate when Emperor Hirohito visited the General. His time in the Guard created many lifelong friendships and Norm and Anna enjoyed visiting with them at Guard reunions. At the final reunion in San Diego in 2011, he was pleased to show off his twin sons, 2 daughters-in-law, 3 grandchildren and spouses, and four great grandchildren. At the time of his death, Norm was believed to be the oldest surviving member of the Honor Guard.

After being discharged, Norm joined his family in service to the town. He helped build the Wescustago Grange Hall, served on the North Yarmouth School Fund board and worked with the Water District reading meters. The North Yarmouth Fire Company was formed while Norm was serving in WWII, but he promptly joined the department upon returning and was a life member. Norm also served as a Selectman and was sure to have something to say at every Town Meeting! He became North Yarmouth's first Town Clerk with regular office hours, hand delivering many town reports to save postage and often calling residents to remind them of expiring auto registrations. His son Nelson remembers many people telling him how Norm went above and beyond to solve problems for them. In honor of their lifelong service to the town, Norm and his late brother Don were recognized as Citizens of the Year in 2010.

Norm loved watching sports, attending many basketball and baseball games at Greely especially at “Tourney Time”. Just 10 days ago Norm attended his oldest great grandchild Madison's soccer game. He was also an avid Red Sox fan but was known to frequently “doze off” for an inning or two. In the “60's” his sons started playing golf. Norm decided to try it and was soon hooked! He was one of the original “stock holders” at Val Halla and remained a member there for over 40 years. Norm was a member of many Twilight League Championship teams; not known as a long ball hitter, Norm competed with the best from 50 yards in. He and his buddies could be found most afternoons playing for 10 cents a hole. Even with his many trophies and bags fulls of dimes, Norm's favorite golfing moments were shared with his sons and grandsons. His oldest grandchild, Kent, remembers countless calls to Grampa during the summers asking if he would like company, and if so to come get him. It always worked and Kent still recalls the great fun and wonderful learning experiences. In 2008, 4 generations were represented in the Val Halla Member Child when Norm played with his son Norman, his grandson Andy, and his Great Grandson Cayden.

Norm always had a garden and was well known for his glads, raising them in honor of his mother as they were her favorite flower. His (8 yr old) great grandson, Cayden, was helping him hoe his glads last year and said, “Grandpa has good soil.” Norm's passion for gardening intersected with his interest in hunting. While Norm bagged many deer over the years, he was most proud of the many racoons and woodchucks he eliminated in defense of his garden. Cards were another of Norm’s spare time hobbies. He was always ready for a game of cribbage and he played cards weekly with “the boys”.

Norman was predeceased by his parents, brothers Harold, Sydney, Donald and sisters Nellie Leighton and Marjorie Leighton. In addition to his wife, Norm is survived by his sons, Norman Lester Smith and wife Donna, and Nelson Leighton Smith and wife Candace all of North Yarmouth; grandchildren Kent Smith and wife Alexandra of Durham, Andrew Smith and wife Anne of North Yarmouth, Craig Smith and wife Heidi of Freedom, Christa Ayer and husband Lloyd of Peabody, Massachusetts; and great grandchildren Madison, Cayden, Sophie, Kendall, Avery, Anderson, Gracin, Norman, Hope, and Laci. Also surviving him are two sisters, Barbara Parker of North Yarmouth and Arline Calvert of Brookside, Florida and many nieces and nephews.

His family wishes to thank Coastal Manor and Beacon Hospice for their countless acts of kindness to him and the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: North Yarmouth School Fund, attention Earle Edwards, in care of the North Yarmouth Town Office, 10 Village Square Road, North Yarmouth, ME 04097.

Arrangements to be announced.