WILTON – Norman K. Twitchell passed away peacefully on July 28, 2015, after 76 years of great adventures.
Fifty-five of those years were spent with his wife, Suzanne Luce Twitchell. Both were raised in Farmington and for the past 25 years have shared their time together in their homes in Maine and Florida. Norman is described by an old friend as outgoing, engaging and a “handsome dog” in his youth.
Water skiing in Weld and Rangeley was off season training for his premier sport, alpine racing. Norman won the Maine State Cass A alpine championship, was a high school Ski Meister, attended four Junior National competitions, and captured the Sugarloaf Schuss title when the race was held on Winter’s Way. To wind down after the season, he would ski Tuckerman’s Ravine on his birthday.
After graduating from Farmington High School in 1957, Norman continued his undergraduate education at the University of Maine in Orono with a three-year interim with the Army’s 101st Airborne Division. He followed this up with a master’s degree in science from Colby College. He earned his pilot’s license with the help of the GI Bill.
While teaching in Eastport on Long Island, he flew his 1956 Cessna 182 in continuous round trips between Maine, New York and Florida. While cruising either on a houseboat or later on a trawler called Zan-Bar, the Twitchells managed to explore all of the Great Lakes, conquered the Great Loop Circle and familiarized themselves with much of eastern Canada and the Bahamas, and sailed the Caribbean many times.
The family built their home primarily by themselves on Wilson Lake in Wilton. They loaded, unloaded, hauled and faced 11 tons of Vermont marble for their unique fireplace. Norman served on the SAD 9 School Board, belonged to the Elks and Lions clubs and the West Farmington Fire Department. He also captained a party barge during the Blueberry Festival for the Friends of Wilson Lake for over a decade.
Norman is survived by his wife, Suzanne; two sons: Richard and John; two grandchildren: Justin and Jessica; and three brothers, Charles, Stephen and Paul. He was predeceased by his parents, Kenneth and Ava.
A Remembrance Gathering will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 2-5 p.m. at the Twitchell Family home on Country Club Road, Wilton. Dress casually and bring a memory (in written form if possible) to share.
In lieu of flowers, remembrance gifts may be sent to the Titcomb Ski Club Educational Foundation, PO Box 43 Farmington, ME 04938. Tributes and condolences may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com. Cremation services are in the care of the Wiles Remembrance Center: Cremation Service and Funeral Home.
My thoughts are with the family. He is now at peace and pain free.
our sincere condolences to Suzanne and family.
my condolences to the family
So sorry. We send condolences. Norman was a great guy.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Twitchell family at the time of their loss. Norman was a kind man and will be missed. He is now pain free. RIP Norman
My condolences to the Twitchell family
Norm was a great guy who gave many years of dedicated service to the students at Eastport High School
I remember him fondly as do those who taught with him…
So sorry for the Twitchell family. Norman was one of the best.
My most sincere condolences to Suzanne and family. Norman was a great ambassador for the class of 57 of Farmington High School. So sorry to read of his passing.
I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Twitchell. I have fond memories of him as my teacher at EHS. He was a great teacher and a kind man. My condolences to Mrs Twitchell and your Family
Our sympathies go out to the Twitchell family. Norm was such a kind and engaging man.
Our love to the Twitchell family,
Tom and Joyce Barrowd
i am sorry to hear of Mr. Twitchell passing. i was a student of both he and Mrs. Twitchell at Eastport school. He was a good teacher and an positive influence in my life. My condolences to Mrs. Twitchell and your family. I have very fond memories of u both.
Sorry to read about Norman’s passing. memories of him from class “57”.
My condolences to the Twitchell family. While attending EHS, I have very find memories of both Mr. AND Mrs. Twitchell as two of the best ( IMO) teachers there.
How sad to hear of Norm’s passing. I worked at Eastport with him for a number of years and shared many a fun-filled Friday night as he presided over the Mark Twain Literary Society’s gatherings. Norm lived life to the fullest. A great guy who will be missed. My sincere condolences to his family, especially Suzanne.
My condolences to the Mrs. Twitchell and family. I was a student of Eastport and have fond memories of Mr. and Mrs. Twitchell. Your in my prayers.
Suzanne, My condolences to you and your family. I have many great memories of Twitch.
My sincere condolences to the Twitchell family. I was a student at Eastport HS and have such wonderful memories of both Mr. and Mrs. Twitchell. Godspeed Mr. Twitchell.