Norman Lloyd Buttrick

Norman Lloyd Buttrick, 83 passed away Monday May 8, 2023 with family and friends by his side at York Hospital following a brief illness. Norm was a much-loved teacher, archaeologist, musician, mentor, and extremely loyal and generous friend. Norm’s joy was teaching, and his love of history and archaeology was infectious, inspiring many to pursue these passions in their own lives.

For 26 years, Norm taught history and archaeology at Freeport High School, often running archaeological digs with Freeport Historical Society. After retirement he continued to teach archaeology at Freeport, Yarmouth and Catherine McCauley high schools, North Yarmouth Academy, and through Portland Adult Education. Norm introduced many to the lives of those who came before us through impactful hands-on methods including archaeological survey and excavation, drawing features, cataloguing artifacts, conducting deed research, and doing ‘facial reconstruction’ using artificial skulls, eraser points and clay.

Professionally, Norm worked on numerous historical archaeology projects across Maine, including Colonial Pemaquid, the Phips Site, Fort Shirley and Fort Edgecomb. Final sites to explore were in his own back yards – Stevens Tavern and the Francis Smith Mansion in Baxter Woods in Portland, and several sites in Gilead – his second home – where he was the archeologist for Gilead Historical Society.

Norm was a fixture of the Deering Center neighborhood having grown-up there and retired to the same house to care for his mother in 1994. Norm was born in Portland on Sept. 17, 1939 and attended Portland schools and Gould Academy in Bethel graduating from there in 1958. Norm studied history and archaeology at the University of New Hampshire and University of Southern Maine graduating in 1968. In 1972, Norm received his master’s degree in education from the University of Maine.

While Norm’s mother Barbara was a well-known piano teacher in Portland, she encouraged Norm to play the trombone. When the Freeport High School band needed more members, as a teacher, Norm took up the trombone again and renewed his love of band playing. Norm was a long-time member of the Casco Bay Concert Band, the Maine POPs Concert Band (aka. Italian Heritage Band), Coastal Winds, Bath and Bethel Community Bands and anywhere else folks needed a trombone.

Norm loved his second home in Gilead, affectionately restoring an 18th century cape house, fly fishing the Wild and Androscoggin rivers, hiking, and skiing. He also cherished memories of time spent at the “old farm” with extended family in New Hampshire for fishing and hunting adventures.

Norm travelled extensively, visiting China and Russia when those countries first opened for visitors, as well as many countries in Europe. Archaeology, history and music were important aspects of every trip.

Beginning in 1962, Norm served six years in the Maine Army National Guard, with honorable discharged in 1968. Norm received basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and served in Augusta, Maine. Norm was an armor crewman in the M60 tank and earned the marksman badges for the M1 rifle and pistol. Norm achieved the rank of E-5 Army sergeant.

Profiling Norm would not be complete without a nod to his love of baseball - he was a die-hard Red Sox and Sea Dogs fan. Norm also loved to cook and made the best apple pie!

Norm was predeceased by his parents, Lloyd and Barbara Buttrick, his sister Pauline (Polly) and several beloved Springer spaniels, all named Gilly.

Norm is survived by his companion Catherine McGuire, cousins Joanne and Joseph Von Culin of Cobleskill NY, Robert Hall of Ashburnham Ma, Todd and Victoria Buttrick of Freemont NH, Tracey Buttrick of Stratham, NH and families. He leaves behind his beloved dog Gilly III, in the care of a former student. Norm had a host of close friends including Tad and Peggy Baker, Dawna and Bob Lamson, Ben Shambaugh, Jim Leamon, David Marley, Traczie Bellinger, residents of the Clinton St. neighborhood, workers at Quality Shop and Pat’s Meat Market, and members of the Portland Community Church provided unwavering companionship and support in his final years.

A celebration of Norm’s life will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023 from 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM at Deering Center Community Church, on the corner of Stevens Ave and Brentwood St in Portland ME.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Norm’s memory to the restoration of the bell tower at the Deering Center Community Church 4 Brentwood St. Portland, Me. 04103 https://www.deeringcentercommunitychurch.org/bell-tower

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com for the Buttrick family.