HANOVER — Those who knew Norman K. Ferguson Jr. considered him honest, trustworthy, hard-working and professional.
Those are not always qualities one associates with a lifelong politician. But then again, Norm Ferguson wasn't your everyday public servant.
AUBURN – Norman Kenneth Ferguson Jr. of Hanover, died peacefully at Hospice House with his loving family at his side. He was devoted to his family and a faithful public servant having held elected office as Oxford County Commissioner and Maine State Senator.
He was born in Boston, Mass., the son of Norman and Hazel (Merrill) Ferguson and grew up in Bethel, where he attended Gould Academy. He excelled in athletics playing football, running track and competing in both Alpine and Nordic skiing, capturing several individual state championships in Nordic skiing and middle-distance running. After graduating from Gould in 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served his country. He was stationed in Austria, where he trained troops in skiing and also represented the Army in Alpine ski racing competing against Austrian and other European skiers. He won numerous competitions and collected cups and medals from races at St. Johann and other ski areas in slalom, giant slalom and downhill.
After returning home in 1955, he dated a Gould acquaintance, Barbara Cole. They soon fell in love and were married in the Congregational Church in Bethel on Jan. 29, 1956. He attended Burdett College in Boston, where they lived shortly before he graduated in 1957. He began work in accounting for the Oxford Paper Co. in Rumford. The couple made their home in Hanover, where they raised a lively family of four sons. He remained at the paper mill having received certification as a purchasing agent and retired in the late 1980s. He was a devoted family man, participating in Boy Scouts, seemingly endless sports events, musical concerts, camping and hiking trips and numerous other activities with his sons. He relished Hanover as a great place to raise a family. The local population boasted a large percentage of children that naturally led him to volunteer in youth group and scouting activities at the Rumford Point Congregational Church, where he held numerous offices over decades. It is noted for posterity, he never participated in choir – vocal harmony was a strong suit, though it never prevented him from indulging private audiences of family and friends!
He had a profound patriotic pride in his country as well as his state, county and community. He served several years on the school board and was elected as Oxford County Commissioner having served that post for a total of 26 years. He later served in the Maine State Senate, thus, his red, white and blue campaign signs became a common land mark in autumn election cycles. He served eight consecutive years as state senator completing election term limits. Another role he enjoyed and took great pride in was moderator at town meetings in Hanover. He prided himself as a responsive elected official answering phone calls, responding to all correspondence and expending great energy in serving constituents. Above all, he cared deeply for young people and their pursuit of education and often sent notes to those children who worked diligently and were recognized for honor-roll or other scholastic achievement. He passionately believed the key for a thriving democratic republic is the nurturance and education of society’s youth.
Throughout his political involvement, he was active serving the Republican Party at local and state levels. He served as the GOP treasurer for Oxford County and was a successful fundraiser. He was active in the campaigns of gubernatorial, congressional and U.S. Senate races having been Oxford County campaign chairman for former Secretary of Defense, William S. Cohen (then running for U.S. senate), Sen. Olympia Snowe and Sen. Susan Collins. He has remained part of their teams and numerous other candidates running for local, state, or federal office.
Among other activities and organizations, he served on the board of directors at Oxford Federal Credit Union, the board of AARP and the board for Western Maine Transportation Services. He spent many hours on the slopes of Black Mountain and assisted with officiating numerous Nordic ski racing events. He was also active in St. Andrews Society activities and enjoyed attending highland games. He and his wife Barbara helped with devotion to make the dream of Hospice House a reality.
His boyhood was everlastingly influenced by his Scottish heritage and his undying love for Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. He passed this love on and shared it with his wife, four sons, their wives and 11 grandchildren. Over the years many dear friends and relatives in Cape Breton have made their way to the pasture and beach where Clan Ferguson camps simply to be by the ocean, enjoy the inspiring beauty of the land, birds and wildlife — much in the tradition of generations before.
He is survived by his wife Barbara; his four sons and their wives, Scott and Dawn, Douglas and Brenda, Dan and Janet and Robert and Cecile; 11 grandchildren, Eric, Ian, Sam, Molly, Marianne, Catherine, Lucas, Angus, Sadie, Jonathan and Seth (all Fergusons); a sister, Elizabeth Mottla and her husband, Paul; a brother-in-law, Bill Kohut; and nieces and nephews. He had a great energy and zest for life with a healthy curiosity for history and politics, but above all, his spirit was centered at home, where he was adored by family and faithful dogs, Springfield and Abraham. He will be sadly missed.
The family sends their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all who prayed and cared for us. Most especially the Fergusons wish to express their deepest gratitude to the remarkable people at Hospice House and Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice. Their compassion and kindness embraces all who walk through the door, and we feel blessed to have had our dear one in such capable hands. We are especially grateful for Dr. Austin, who kept us informed, assured, and at peace each and every day. Our community is better for having all the dedicated professionals and volunteers of this fine organization.
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"He was a loyal Republican without being hostile to Democrats," Peter Mills said of his longtime friend whom he served with in the Maine Senate for eight years. "He was meticulously honest and very candid with people, but he wasn't indecisive. You could always count on him. He was sincerely interested in learning what the issue was before he acted on it."
Mills, who lives in Skowhegan, served in the Senate with Ferguson during the 1990s. He is making a run for governor and visited Ferguson just days before his death Monday at Hospice House in Auburn.
Mills said Ferguson, although physically weak, was sharp mentally as the two talked politics. He said Ferguson signing his petition to run for governor meant more to him than any other supporter because of his respect and admiration for the man who sat next to him in the Senate for eight years.
"He was just a very good legislator," Mills said. "He'd look at an issue, decide what he was going to do and tell people upfront what he was going to do. Norm would look as hard as he needed to at any given issue before making a decision."
Mills said that one of his favorite stories about Ferguson was the way he would stand up just seconds before the clock would turn and invoke a legislative rule requiring that senators vote whether or not to work past 9 p.m. Mills laughed as he told of how Ferguson would stand up with his booming voice and call for a vote, no matter if it was the middle of a heated debate or a fellow senator talking.
Ferguson's reasoning, Mills said, was because he did not like the idea of trying to rush legislation through just because people wanted to go home. He would rather wait and continue the discussion the next day.
That sense of commitment to doing the right thing and making the most informed decisions played a huge role in Ferguson's lifelong career passion for politics. Prior to his stint in Augusta, Ferguson served as an Oxford County commissioner for 26 years and served on the local school board for several years prior to that.
"He not only saw the opportunity to be involved as a public servant as something he enjoyed, but he enjoyed doing it for all the right reasons," said Sawin Millett, a member of the Maine House of Representatives from Waterford. "He really wanted to meet the people's needs."
Millett worked closely with Ferguson during his days as a county commissioner. He believed Ferguson brought a certain level of professionalism to the role because he viewed it more like a career than a part-time position.
Millett said Ferguson's reputation as a true man of the public earned him respect across the state. He added that Ferguson's integrity and honesty helped him bridge the political divide between Democrats and Republicans.
"He'll certainly be missed by all who knew him, and he leaves a big void in the Republican party and this part of the state, Millett said.
But behind a great politician like Ferguson, according to both Mills and Millett, was a great wife and family. And Ferguson had both, according to those who knew him.
Ferguson and his wife of 53 years, Barbara, raised four sons in the Hanover area. The couple were very involved in their community.
Holding back tears Monday night, Barbara talked about her late husband, who will forever be lovingly known to her as "Fergie."
"He was completely honest and frank and fair with all his constituents," Barbara Ferguson said. "He would return each and every call he received while serving in the state Legislature."
Barbara Ferguson said that one of the memories that brings a smile to her face is the way her husband tried to sing. More often than not, she laughed, he "couldn't carry a tune in a bucket." But despite his inability to sing in key, she said her husband would always try and — given his loud voice — would always be heard."
She said she will always remember her husband as a wonderful and caring father. Because he placed such an emphasis on education with his own sons, Barbara Ferguson said her husband would also write letters to constituents whose children were named on their school honor rolls.
"He was very outgoing. We're a pretty warm, close-knit family, but we called him the social butterfly of the group because he was always out meeting people and wanting to help," Barbara Ferguson said. "He could get along with just about anyone."
