TEMPLE – Ronald “Ron/Bub” Lester Greenwood, 83, of Temple, Maine, passed away at his home on December 6, 2023. He was born on December 22, 1939, in Farmington, Maine, to Inez Gilman Greenwood and Lawrence “Sully” Shatford Greenwood. Ron was a familiar face around town and beloved by all who knew him.
In his youth, Ron was active in archery exhibitions and ski jumping with the Farmington Ski Club. After attending Farmington schools, Ron enlisted in the Army in 1957 at age 17. He was stationed in Germany for two years (1958-1960) as part of his tour of duty – where he picked up the German language –a true passion for the remainder of his life. While in Germany, he was trained as a welder, master machinist, and safe & locksmith.
When he returned stateside in 1960, Ron worked with his father and then as a mason for several years. He also worked many years as a superintendent on major construction projects, building schools, hospitals, and churches around the region, including the Farmington Town Office, UMF Student Center, and Franklin County Correctional Facility. In addition, Ron operated his own longtime safe & locksmith business, servicing several banks, schools, towns, and senior homes. He continued this craft until his passing, never fully retiring.
Ron was always busy with projects and hobbies like kayaking, swimming, gardening, and tending to his wood piles on the farm. He took pride in restoring the old barns on his properties and approached all tasks as a perfectionist. A true master of all trades, Ron could seek out and tackle just about any project put before him.
Ron especially looked forward to the annual Chester Greenwood Day parade each December. He never missed the event and was exceptionally proud watching the 2023 parade in downtown Farmington on December 2, just days before he passed.
He will be lovingly remembered by his partner of 33 years, Patricia Gordon; and his children with former wife Rosalie Stewart Perkins – Sharon Greenwood Courcelle and husband Dick, Joanne Greenwood-Turner and husband Brian, and Karen Greenwood Smith and husband Joel; grandchildren Thomas, Delaney, Samuel, Joshua, Ian, Lindsay, and Emelia; a great-granddaughter; Nora; brother, Larry Gilman Greenwood; sister, Loretta Greenwood Dyer; daughter-in-law, Lucinda Harris Greenwood; and special friends Nolan and Velda Yamashiro; Koa and Ryland. He was predeceased by his son Russell Shatford Greenwood, parents Inez and Sully, and sister Gayle Greenwood Shardlow.
The family will receive visitors on Sunday, December 17, from 2:00-4:00 pm at Dan & Scott Adams Cremation and Funeral Services, 488 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington. Ron’s life will be celebrated on December 18, 2023, at 5:00 pm at Henderson Memorial Baptist Church, Academy Street, Farmington. Please join the family for refreshments afterward. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Chester Greenwood Parade, c/o Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 123, Farmington, ME 04938.
Arrangements are under the care of Dan and Scott’s Cremation and Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington Maine, where memories, photos and condolences may be shared at dsfuneral.com.
This makes me sad………RIP Bub
My deepest sympathy to Bub’s family. May he Rest in Peace.
A very talented man…he built the house that Chan grew up in. A legend in our community. Rest in peace our friend.
Judy and I have had the privilege of being Bub’s neighbors for nearly fifty years. We have known Bub to be a compassionate, generous man, and a dedicated steward of his land. The sight of Bub and Patricia working on the farm was as familiar and comforting as the rising sun. Their voices heard over the noise of their tractor or chainsaw were as sweet as the song birds that followed and reported their progress. My grandsons’ knew Bub as the man that took joy in our walks through his field to eventually swim in that same place on Temple Stream his son. Russell, would play when he was a boy. Bub moved a stone down to the bend in the stream where he told me, “Russell loved it here, so I put that rock there.” I will sit in that same spot, remembering Bub, and the legacy he left for the rest of us.
My daughter and I met Ron and Patricia at Clearwater a few years back. It was always so wonderful to get to know him. He was more than a pleasure to talk to. And now, our time at Clearwater will be remembered, with him as well. He shared a ton of stories with me about his military service, his family (Chester being the relation), and he bragged (as he should) about his locksmithing and machinist work. We knew many of the same people.
I am so grateful to have met Ron, as well as Patricia. We are so very sorry for the loss of such a remarkable man. He will be missed in a gigantical way… we are sending sincere condolences.
Thai
Known him since I moved to Farmington in the early 90s, both as a friend and a client. So sad to hear of his passing, his historical knowledge being in this town was amazing. Really going to miss our encounter’s and conversations during our visits. My sincere condolences to pat, and his family
Ron was a kind, skilled, thoughtful man. I always enjoyed talking with him and listening to his stories. My condolences to his family.
Bub was a good friend. I’d see him at the family get togethers, or on occasion when he and Pat were on road trips of western Maine during the fall leaf color change. He happed to stop by the week before thanksgiving. He was a guy with a boat load of knowledge and passed it on if you’d listen.
Ron was a true gem in our community. He came into the Chamber office days before Chester Greenwood Day and was helping me by giving me a history lesson of the day. He had firm beliefs on how things should run. A great storyteller! Before he left the office he gave a large donation to go towards Chester Greenwood Day! We were in disbelief that he passed. Our thoughts are with his family and may Ron find peace.
JP Fortier
Franklin County Chamber
So sorry Pat… we are so sad…. this really hits hard. Bub was special.
We are grateful for every second we shared and that we got the opportunity to meet Pat and Ron and have their friendship. All those days up at the farm will always be with us: his playing with Cecilia in the yard, cutting wood for her art work, doing chores with him round the farm, bringing in the apples, bringing in wood from the forest and so many other things… – and Pat and Ron’s coming down to our house in Brunswick as well as trips to Boothbay Harbour. Ron was always there, he always helped, he responded to anything that he could fix or any problem that he could solve. You’re in our hearts, Ron. All our thoughts are with Pat and the family.
Mr Greenwood was a great guy and a great locksmith. I worked with him changing locks and working on our safe at Livermore Falls Water District..He always made us laugh with his funny stories..Rest In Piece bud….
R.I.P. Ron, i will remember being on the job with Ron and in a Dragon concrete truck in the 80’s…. i worked with him at the Farmington sewage treatment plant and other projects he took on.. very accomplished and knowledgeable “mud man” as he used to say…it was nice to see him at the beach a couple years ago… our sincere condolences to his family and friends…