WEST GARDINER – Gregory John William Batten, 77, of West Gardiner, died Saturday, April 27, 2024, at home with loved ones by his side.

Greg was born on May 3, 1946, in Framingham, Mass. to George E.C. Batten, Sr., and Anne Jeannette (Joyce) Batten.

He grew up in Natick, Mass. and graduated from Natick H.S. in 1965. He decided to go west for college and graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in mechanical engineering.

In 1968, while he was attending college, he married his wife, Sandy. They drove cross country to Denver, Colo. where they spent the first two years of their lives together before moving back to the East Coast.

Greg went to work for the phone company in 1970 as an engineer in Salem, Mass. They lived in Topsfield, Mass. for five years before moving to Maine in 1977 with their two young daughters.

He and Sandy, along with his in-laws, bought a cottage on Kezar Lake in Lovell where they all spent wonderful summers with family and friends. He loved kayaking, motorboating, waterskiing, hiking, sailing, and fishing.

Greg’s favorite thing to do was ride his different motorcycles through the years. He and Sandy loved going for rides and just going wherever the road led. After he retired, he would often ask Sandy “Isn’t there anything you need?” just to justify going for a ride and it usually took a long time to return.

Greg was a long-time member of the Highland Avenue United Methodist Church, serving on various committees, helping at suppers and fairs, ushering, and wherever needed. He also was a regular volunteer at Chrysallis Place Food Bank.

He and Sandy enjoyed traveling around our beautiful country and Canada as well as cruises in the Caribbean and a wonderful final cruise to Norway, Denmark, and Germany.

Greg loved life and he was loved by so many.

He was predeceased by his parents; and his brother, George;

Gregory is survived by his wife of almost 56 years, Sandra “Sandy” Batten, of West Gardiner; two daughters, Tamara Hatt and husband Eric of Winslow and Kim Jamison and husband Don of Sanford; five grandchildren whom he loved very much and didn’t want to leave.

A memorial service will be held Friday, May 31, 1 p.m. at the Highland Avenue United Methodist Church, Gardiner, followed by visiting hours.

Arrangements and guidance are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers,

donations can be made to

Chrysallis Place Food Bank in Gardiner,

Highland Avenue United Methodist Church,

or Beacon Hospice

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