Woodrow “Woody” J. Verge, 101, of Waldoboro, formerly of Friendship, died Tuesday morning, January 9, 2018 at Cove’s Edge following a brief illness.

He was born on September 26, 1916 in Port Clyde, Maine, a son of the late Enos and Hattie (Geary) Verge, and was a graduate of Thomaston High School. On June 22, 1939 he married Ella Williams in Friendship, where they made their home raising their son, Dana.

During the WWII, Woody worked driving a bus from Livermore to Bath, transporting workers to Bath Iron Works. For many years, He was employed as the manager of the Feyler Fish Company in Rockland. After his retirement, they moved to Waldoboro and became the first residents of the Coles Hill Apartments, where Woody worked as the property manager well beyond his 90th birthday. Woody’s greatest passion was driving a school bus for more than thirty-three years. He drove for school districts in Thomaston and Waldoboro, but his greatest memories were driving the athletic teams of the former Georges Valley High School.

Woody was a seventy year member of the Meduncook Masonic Lodge #211 in Friendship, and a member of the Friendship United Methodist Church where he served as the treasurer and trustee for over thirty years. In recent years, he was a member of the Waldoboro United Methodist Church. Woody served the town of Friendship as a selectman from 1962 to 1972, and was instrumental in the building of the Hahn Center. This past year, he was presented the Boston Post Cane from the Town of Waldoboro, recognizing him as the town’s eldest citizen.

Every morning, Woody could be found sitting in “his booth” at Moody’s Diner. He was one of Moody’s first customers, eating at their original location on Old Route One in Waldoboro. He had the menu memorized, and knew all the specials. The waitresses were “his girls” and the entire staff was like extended family to him. He looked forward to spending time with them every day, and was so happy to spend his birthdays at Moody’s with his family and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of more than seventy-one years, who died February 5, 2011; his daughter-in-law, Donalene Dow Verge who died on May 8, 2017; his brother, Enos Verge; and two sisters, Evelyn Moody and Ethelyn Verge.

Woody is survived by his son, Dana Verge of Thomaston; his granddaughter, Sonia Verge Bates and her companion Greg Berry of Washington; four great grandchildren, Shane, Garrett, Trevor and Caitlin; three great-great grandchildren, Molly, Isabella and Violet; a sister, Anna McAlpine of Westbrook; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his special friends, Paul and Holly Smeltzer of Waldoboro, and their children Aaron and Cassandra; and his neighbors Kerwin and Volene Creamer of Waldoboro. They gave Woody loving care which helped him live at home almost to the very end.

Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for a funeral service to celebrate his life at 1 o’clock PM on Sunday afternoon, January 14, 2018 at the Friendship United Methodist Church, Main Street, Friendship. Reverend Bob Door will officiate.

Should friends so desire, donations may be made in Woody’s memory to Oceanside Boosters, 400 Broadway, Rockland, Maine 04841; or to Medomak Valley All Sports Boosters, 320 Manktown Road, Waldoboro, Maine 04572.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543. Condolences, and messages for Woody’s family, may be expressed by visiting: www.StrongHancock.com.

Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of Woodrow "Woody" Verge, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.