Terrence “Crow” Edwin Gorten

AUGUSTA – Terrence “Crow” Edwin Gorten, 77, passed away unexpectedly at his Augusta residence on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023. He was a beloved father, grandfather, and friend giving generously and shining brightly to all who knew him.

Terrence was born in Dexter, Maine, on April 7, 1946, to parents Edwin Leo Gorten and Gabrielle Pauline Danforth Gorten. He grew up in Dexter and Auburn Maine and attended schools in Auburn graduating from Edward Little High School in the class of 1964. Following High School, he enlisted in the United States Army as a cartographer (map maker) and served during the Vietnam War at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) a strategic NATO global operation in Rocquencourt, France just outside of Versailles and in Casteau and Mons, Belgium. He enjoyed traveling throughout Europe while in service to his country.

In 1969 he met and fell in love with Janine Marie Champagne who he married on Aug. 4, 1972. Together they had two children – Melissa Anne and Sean Paul.

Following his military service, he worked as a graphic designer and color engineer for Pioneer Plastics in Auburn, Maine for 30 years. He then drove for Consolidated Delivery Services of Buckfield, and in his later years he worked for Royal River Natural Foods in Freeport as a salesclerk for 19 years. Crow greatly enjoyed his time with his work family and customers at Royal River – refusing to retire even through his three-year battle with advanced colon cancer.

Crow was an avid outdoorsman, nature lover, artist, photographer, craftsman, musician, reader, and coffee aficionado. As a young boy he attended the boy scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. As an Eagle Scout he was always prepared and has always been the resource for all things camping and hiking related for family and friends. If anyone forgot something Crow always had it and gladly shared. Crow loved being in nature. He was in his element while hiking or canoeing. He identified with Native American spiritual practices and regularly attended Sweat Lodge ceremonies, Sundance, and enjoyed dancing and connecting with others at Pow Wows. He was known as Terry Dancing Crow and could be seen hopping and bouncing around with his coffee in hand. He also loved craft beer, exotic foods, and yummy treats. Crow was a self-taught artist who created exquisite oil paintings, drawings, etchings, block prints, and carvings that delighted all who saw them.

Crow loved to travel and had many adventures in life. He most enjoyed spending time with family and friends in the mountains, lakes, and forests of Maine and New Hampshire. He loved teaching his grandson Kai about nature, and they spent special time carving and whitling together, playing games and telling stories. Crow also loved music and played the Mbira with his special friend Godfrey, along with the violin, harmonica, accordion, and native drums, and rattles. He loved spending time at his property on Togus Pond and delighted in caring for the birds and animal visitors.

He is survived by his son Sean Gorten and wife Jaime, grandchildren Atalie, Ramsey, Phineas, and Emilia of Fort Lee, Virgina; daughter Melissa Chretien and husband Jason, and grandson Kai of Bath, Maine; former wife Janine Pelchat of North Carolina, Aunt Maxine Gorten and cousins of Pittston, his extended bonus family Constance and Roland Chretien of Lewiston; Kevin Chretien and Jess Mayo of Freeport; and Mark and Jill Chretien and their children of Turner. He was predeceased by his parents Edwin and Gabrielle Gorten, special bonus dad Charles Carson, and Uncle Ernest Gorten.

A brief military honors ceremony will be held at Maine Veterans Cemetery on Mount Vernon Road in Augusta, Maine on Thursday August 8, 2023, at 12 noon.

Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home and Cremation Care, One Church St., Augusta, where memories, condolences and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers the family prefers a donation made in memory of Crow to a nature or animal conservation group of your choosing.