In Raymond, ME, Norman E. Devonshire, formerly of Swampscott, MA, after a lengthy illness answered the call of his Savior and passed peacefully at home surrounded by the family he loved with all his heart. Born in 1939 in Melrose, MA to the late H. Franklin Devonshire and Phyllis Mary (Wyatt) Devonshire, Norm attended the Saugus Public Schools, graduating in 1957. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy immediately following high school, where he proudly served his country as a Shipfitter Petty Officer 2nd Class.
In 1960 he met Dianne Henson, and they were married September 15th, 1963. Norm worked for BCD Metal Products in Everett, MA as the Quality Control Manager from 1963 until 1995. During his tenure at BCD, he obtained an Associate’s Degree from Fisher Junior College in Boston. He worked at Sterling Machine in Lynn as Quality Engineer from 1995 to 2005, and in 2002, Norm and Dianne moved to Raymond, ME. In 2005 he went to work for Rich Tool and Die in Scarborough, ME as Quality Engineer where he remained until his retirement in 2007. After his retirement he worked part time as a docent for the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Museum, a job that gave him great pleasure and satisfaction, sharing his knowledge of the Shaker lifestyle and their handiworks. He continued in that role until the time of his passing.
Norm loved hunting, fishing and sharing the outdoors with his two sons and his daughter. He was a longtime Boy Scout leader during his sons’ tenure in scouting, and later in life served as a merit badge councilor to Boy Scouts in the Raymond, ME region. He was a lifelong member of Danvers Fish and Game Club, and thoroughly enjoyed the many hunting and camping trips he shared with his sons.
Norm developed a passion for woodcarving, and over time honed his skills to become a master class carver. His works have been seen by countless thousands in various wildlife art shows, carving shows and museums. His passion for the art led him to begin teaching others the craft, teaching countless classes, instructing local Boy Scouts, and teaching soap carving to the students in the Raymond Elementary School. He coordinated several carving shows for the Poland Maine Woodcarvers, the Maine Wood Carvers and the New England Woodcarvers, and instructed the judges to make sure they found praiseworthy features in every piece they judged. Norm was dedicated to spreading and furthering the art. Norm was also exceptionally active in the Eagle Cane Project, where local carvers coordinated to make handcrafted, personalized canes for disabled veterans sporting a bald eagle’s head and the branch, rank, insignia and location of their service.
In addition to his wife, Norm leaves behind a sister, Dorothy Donohue and brother Philip Devonshire, children James Devonshire and his wife Shiela, Franklin Devonshire and his wife Tanya, Elana Nevins and her husband Eric, grandchildren Robert Devonshire, Andrew Devonshire, Sasha Nevins, Amelya Sabatini, Chiara LoSchiavo and Nathan Sabatini, one great grandchild Brayden Sabatini, and countless nieces, nephews and friends. He is predeceased by his brother-in-law Charles Donohue and sister-in-law Cynthia Devonshire.
The funeral will be a private family Christian service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The United Society of Shakers, 707 Shaker Rd., New Gloucester, ME, 04260.