Wayne Louis Bengtson

CHINA – Wayne Louis Bengtson passed away at home surrounded by family on Nov. 11, 2024, after a brave battle with lung cancer.

Wayne was born Oct. 24, 1946, in Caribou, to Erwin A. Bengtson (d. 2021) and Ellen (Peggy) M. Peers Bengtson (d. 2023) of New Sweden. He was the second of four siblings, Robert E. Bengtson (d. 2011), Rhonda J. Higgins (d. 2024) and Rodney A. Bengtson, all of whom loved life on the family farm, which was lovingly known as East Road Estate.

Wayne graduated in 1964 from Caribou High School, and in 1968 from University of Maine at Fort Kent with a degree in English and a minor in History. He eventually went on to earn his M. Ed. from the University of Southern Maine in 1976.

Wayne started his 40-year teaching career at China Elementary School, China, Maine, in 1968. He was drafted into the United States Army in June 1970, received basic training at Fort Dix, N.J., and was subsequently stationed at Fort Sill, Okla., and at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Wayne returned to teaching at China schools in January 1972 in a 1st grade class but spent the majority of his career teaching middle school students. He spent many seasons coaching soccer and softball, and one winter season as a cheering coach. Wayne was a dedicated teacher for so long, he saw three generations of students. Wayne retired in 2008 before the next progeny made it to his 7th grade English and history classes. However, he continued teaching as a substitute for an additional 10 years after retirement.

Wayne is survived by his wife Linda Bengtson of China; brother Rodney and Michelle Bengtson of Berlin, N.H.; children Shauna and Jarrod Magee of Manchester, Joy Bengtson Giffen and Matthew Giffen of Chelsea, Courtney and Nicholas Bouchard of Lee, N.H., Louis and Kate Bengtson of Ledyard, Conn., Aaron and Kim Bengtson of Augusta, and stepchildren Derek and Annie Clifford of Winslow and Jaimi Clifford and Brandon Boulware of China. He was predeceased by his infant son, Wayne Louis Bengtson II (d. 1973). Wayne loved spending time with and will be dearly missed by his 15 grandchildren, to whom he was known as Grampy, Papa, and Farfar, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and many other family members.

He will always be remembered for his dependable use of puns, correction of grammar, love of harmonizing in his baritone voice, ingratiating sense of humor, extreme distaste for lemons and raisins, but above all his gentle, patient, and kindhearted nature. Wayne touched so many lives throughout his 78 years and will be fondly remembered yet sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Nov. 30, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the China Lake Conference Center, 255 Neck Rd., China. Wayne’s family will hold a private committal ceremony at the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Augusta, at a later date.

Wayne’s family is grateful to the staff at Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care, Northern Light Health, MaineGeneral Hospice, and Plummer Funeral Home for their caring and professional assistance throughout his courageous battle with cancer and beyond.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to

MaineGeneral Hospice

or to

China Middle School Student Activity Funds.