Mr. W. David Verrill

David was born in Saco, Maine on April 3, 1928, the twelfth (and youngest) child of Basil Laurence and Lydia Emma (Goldthwait) Verrill. David was educated in Saco schools, graduating from Thornton Academy in 1946. While at Thornton, he was a four-year honor student, a member of the National Honor Society, active in class plays, Junior Class President, and (graduation) “Class Day” speaker. Later in his life David became the founding Director of the Thornton Academy Alumni Association. In his athletic career at Thornton, David earned 11 varsity letters and was co-captain of the football team. His local baseball team played the first night game in Maine against a touring Negro League team.

Upon graduating from Thornton, David was accepted at Bowdoin College with a full scholarship. He was a varsity baseball player and member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. David majored in economics and math, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, at that time in Bowdoin’s “Biggest and Best” Class of 1950. In the years that followed, David attended the American Institute of Banking, and graduated from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University, receiving a diploma in Commercial Banking.

David married his longtime love, Anna Kosta Gribizis on December 30th, 1948. The couple raised five sons in South Portland, Rockland, Scarborough, and Yarmouth.

David was hired by the Maine National Bank (formerly the First Portland National Bank) in 1951. Beginning as a trainee, he worked his way through the Maine National Bank ranks and its offices in Portland, South Portland, and Rockland. He eventually became the bank’s President and CEO in 1984. David retired as Chairman in 1990 after 39 years in the banking business.

During his banking career, David was a leader in community service. His Rockland community service included President of the Rockland Kiwanis Club, President of the Rockland Chamber of Commerce, Trustee of the Knox County General Hospital serving as Treasurer and President of the Board of Directors, committee member of the Knox and Camden hospitals merger to the Pen Bay Medical Center. In Portland, David served as a Salvation Army Board Director, a United Way corporate group volunteer, a member of the Portland Affordable Housing Committee, and Treasurer of the Intown Portland Associates. David, Anna, and family were active in their community churches, the Emmanuel Baptist Church of Portland and Rockland Congregational Church.

On a larger stage, David served as director, treasurer, and chairman of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, leading the organization as its Chairman in 1980. He served on the State of Maine Governor’s Task Force on Higher Education, as well as, the Governor’s Trade Mission to the United Kingdom. David was an incorporator of the Maine Medical Center.

Following retirement, David and Anna traveled extensively, enjoying Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Europe. Family represented a source of great joy and satisfaction. David celebrated his retirement with his five sons on a weeklong golf trip to Ireland. David enjoyed recreational lobstering from their home on Cousins Island. Weekends and vacations at the family-built cottage on Damariscotta Lake were a time to unwind and enjoy the simple but important joys with family. David and family were active in community sports; engaged with youth baseball, golf and tennis. He enjoyed golf and tennis with Anna. They were formidable couple’s competitors on local tennis courts. David was a member of the Rockland Golf Club, and the Portland Country Club. As a lifelong Red Sox fan, a summer was not complete without a family trip to Fenway Park to watch our beloved Boston Red Sox.

Bowdoin College remained a significant source of belief and commitment for David. He was an active alum, serving on the Bowdoin Alumni Council and Board of Overseers in 1980, and elected Emeritus in 1986.

David was especially proud of his family’s seafaring history at Biddeford Pool. Recordings of his dad, Basil telling stories of fishing experiences and life at “the Pool” were entertaining for all. David’s ancestors were poets, preachers, lighthouse keepers, lobstermen, sea captains, commercial fishermen, and (Revolutionary, Civil, WWI, WWII) war veterans. Basil’s brother, Waldo was the inventor of the trap string form of lobstering.

David was pre-deceased by his wife Anna, son Ted, daughter-in-law Florence Joy Newcomb, grandson Gordon, parents Basil and Emma, and all 11 of his siblings: Marie Bayon, Julia Crowley, Laurence Verrill, Marjorie Wilcox, Josephine Hanson, Owen Verrill, Edward Verrill, Virginia Strombom, Prescott Verrill, Douglas Verrill, and Roland Verrill.

Surviving are sons Dana and wife Dolores (Kokalari), Thomas and wife Lynn (Chenard), Jeffrey and wife Anne (Schad), David and wife Karen (Hampson), eight grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

A public memorial service, followed by a reception, is planned at the Falmouth UCC Church, 267 Falmouth Road, Falmouth, Maine on Monday, July 27th at 10 AM. There will be no visitation hours. Burial will be private at the Greenwood Cemetery in Biddeford, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Thornton Academy Fund, 438 Main Street, Saco, ME 04072. www.thorntonacademy.org

Memorial condolences and sharing a memory may be expressed at the funeral home website: www.lindquistfuneralhome.com