Title	Mr.
Last Name	Sawyer
First Name	Arnold
Middle Name	E
Maiden Name
Nick Name
Place of Birth	Ripley, ME
Date of Birth	1937-10-01
Place of Death	Gorham, ME
Date of Death	2023-08-28
Publication	Crosby Neal
Obituary	On August 28, 2023 Arnold E. Sawyer was called home to reunite with his son, brothers, parents and many friends who went before him. Arnold passed away peacefully at home in Gorham surrounded by the love and devotion of his family with his granddaughter holding his hand. Arnold was born on October 1, 1937 in Ripley, Maine to Othie Sawyer and Maude (Roach) Sawyer the youngest of five sons and a half-brother. He attended Ripley and Dexter schools and bragged many times that he skipped second grade because he was the smartest kid in his class. The truth was that he was the only kid in his class so his favorite teacher, Dell Sevey, officially moved him to third grade. Arnold would become known for his legendary sense of humor, story-telling and jokes. Arnold married the love of his life, Glenda York, on June 27, 1959 in Harmony. Over the next two years, he worked tirelessly to build their family home. Together they raised two sons and a daughter who, by their parents’ example, were as devoted to them as they were to their children. Family meant everything to Arnold. He was never too tired after a day at work to ride a bike and play ball with his children or attend a grandchild’s school or sporting event. His sons, Steve and Vince, coached Little League and it was a joy for Arnold to watch their teams play which always included a grandson or two. He played an active role in all their lives creating strong bonds and special memories with each of them. Over the years Arnold enjoyed several trips with family and friends: a road trip to Branson, Missouri to visit country music sites and Graceland, cruises to the Caribbean and Hawaiian Islands, trips to Fenway for the Red Sox and most notably “with the boys” to see his Dallas Cowboys play at Texas Stadium. Arnold worked at shoe companies in Skowhegan and Dexter for most of his life but his favorite job was working with his son, Vince, at his store Toot’s in Dexter. Together they shared many stories and laughs with local customers and friends for over a decade until Arnold’s retirement in 2015. Finally, after more than 60 years of work, he and Glenda moved to Southern Maine to spend their retirement years with their daughter Karen’s family. The eight years in Gorham Arnold had with his only granddaughter were invaluable to them both. They enjoyed inside jokes, word scrambles, card-playing and desserts, and Avy learned lessons in unconditional love and kindness. Karen felt truly blessed to be able to spend time every day with the person she admired most in the world. Arnold is survived by his wife, Glenda of 64 years, son, Vince and wife, Tina, daughter, Karen and husband, Richard Andrews, daughter-in-law Heidi Hughes, “honorary daughters” Tracy (Peasley) Quimby and Joni (Hanson) Boissonneault, brother-in-law Bruce York and wife, Connie, five grandchildren: Derek and wife, Taronjla, Mitchell, Tyler and wife, Carissa, Chad and Avy, six great-grandchildren: Summer, Noah, Teo, Violet, Carson and Desmond, several nieces and nephews, special friend, Ray Stafford, and nephew, Howard for always staying in touch and special (animal) friend, cockatiel Tillie (Mr. T). Arnold was predeceased by his son, Steve and brothers: Maurice, Ralph, Harold, Richard and Stanton, and countless friends. Arnold had a personality that drew people to him and made anyone feel welcomed, accepted and at ease. You always knew you’d get a warm smile from him and probably a laugh as well so if you happen to have a lobster roll, a slice of blackberry pie or a really good root beer, we hope you’ll think of Arnold and smile too. Until we are together again, he will be deeply missed and forever loved. A Celebration of Life will be held on his birthday Sunday, October 1, 2023 at Sunset Meadows, 514 Center Road, Corinna, Maine. All those who knew and loved Arnold are welcome. We encourage you to wear a flannel shirt and jeans or one of Arnold’s favorite teams: Dallas Cowboys, Red Sox or Atlanta Braves. Arrangements by Crosby & Neal.