BRUNSWICK — Norman Arthur “Mike” Marriner of Gurnet Road, died Thursday afternoon, December 22, 2011 at the age of 96 after a productive and well-traveled life. A native of Topsham and a long- time resident of Brunswick. Norman was a skilled machinist, a World War II veteran, avid reader and story- teller of history, sports fan and gardener. He voted Republican in almost every election, and tolerated the “misguided” Democrats who seemed to surround him. He was Chairman of the Brunswick Republican town Committee for several years in the 1950′ s, and served as a board member of the original BIW Credit Union. He was a machinist at Bath Iron Works for 32 years, retiring in 1976 so he could tour, ” this country I love, before I get too old to enjoy it.”
He was born Aug. 29, 1915, a son of Percy E. and Annie Rogers Marriner. He married Barbara E. Fisher, of Bath, on June 25, 1941. They had been married 63 years at the time of her death in 2005, and had three children: Philip, Jane and Gregg.
He was predeceased by his sons, Gregg A. Marriner, who died in 1986; and Phillip F. Marriner, who died in 2008. He was also predeceased by all of his siblings, William Marriner, Margaret Larrabee, and Gladys Jones.
Norman’s family include Jane M. Connors, with her husband Frank, of Brunswick; a grandson, Miles H. Connors, with his wife Dina Abbondante, of Belmont, Mass., and their son, Jadon; a granddaughter, Abbie M. Morin, with her husband George, of Brunswick, and their son, Silas; a niece, Linda Henderson, of West Bath, and several cousins.
Norman graduated from Brunswick High School in 1935, lettering in both football and baseball. He served on the Brunswick School board for 12 years, becoming its chairman twice. He was a long- time member of Brunswick’s First Parish Church, serving on the Church’s Building and Grounds Committee for many years. He and his wife Barbara were early advocates and supporters of the Brunswick Music Theater. In 1987, they endowed the Maine State Music Theater’s Gregg Marriner Award for technical excellence. For many years, the pair opened their home as an ‘ off- stage retreat’ for dozens of the theater’s actors and technicians, who in turn became life-long friends.
A World War II Veteran, he served in the Pacific aboard the U. S. Navy repair ship Xanthis, entering and clearing ports in both China and Japan. He was an early supporter of the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, and was proud to attend its dedication in May, 2004.
A memorial service will be held at the First Parish Church, Maine St.,, Brunswick, on Saturday, January 7, 2012, at 1:00 p.m, with The Rev. Mary Baard and The Rev. Geoff F.H. Parker officiating. Internment will be in the family plot at Roger’s Cemetery, Topsham, in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made in Norman’s memory to The First Parish Church, 9 Cleaveland Street, Brunswick Maine 04011, The People Plus Center, 35 Union Street, Brunswick, Maine 04011, or to CHANS Home Health Care, Hospice, 50 Baribeau Drive, Brunswick, Maine 04011. Arrangements are by The Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal Street, Brunswick, Maine. Condolences can be expressed at www.brackett funeralhome.com.
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