AUGUSTA – Roland I. Newton, 77, died Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 at his home after a battle with cancer. He was born in Gardiner on Aug. 25, 1946, the son of the late Melvin and Thelma (Arabelle) Newton.

Roland attended Manchester schools and had been employed at the Veterans Hospital at Togus for 30 years.

He was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Sandra E. (Clark) Newton; a son, Michael Newton and a sister, Gloria Nadeau.

Surviving are two sons, Dana Newton of Richmond and Dale Newton of Augusta; two brothers, Charles Whitcomb and his wife Betsy of Falmouth and Ronald Newton and his wife Jill of Manchester; as well as his nieces Kim Newton and Kathy Whitcomb Vorpagle; and his granddaughter, Callie Newton.

There will be no public visiting hours. A celebration of life ceremony will be held at a later date.

Roland (“Babe” to his friends) enjoyed losing money on horses running in circles, cheering on losing teams, and doing yard work for budget prices. A man of few words, above all else, he valued a solid work ethic. “You putting in your 40?”, was not an uncommon greeting of his.

Occasionally known to enjoy a Schlitz, Roland took the world as it came to him, taking each day one at a time. Underneath his quiet demeanor was a dry wit that he would occasionally surprise you with. Not known to wax philosophical, he once said to one of his sons at a family funeral, “Well, that’s how it goes, first you live, then you die.” This sort of straightforward unbiased view of the world sums Roland up perfectly.

Arrangements are under the care of Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta. Condolences, stories and photos may be shared at http://www.plummerfh.com.

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