NORTH HAVEN — Stanley Evans Waterman, known to all simply as “Toot,” passed away at Pen Bay Hospital the morning of Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Born in Rockland in 1928, to Oscar and Kathleen Waterman, Toot was the youngest of three children. He spent the majority of his childhood outdoors: swimming, skating, riding “Spunky” the family horse, and caddying at the golf links for a little spending money.

Toot graduated from North Haven High School in 1947. He worked for O.D. Lermond & Son for a year prior to enlisting in the army during the Korean War. His time in the service was the only significant period of his life he spent away from North Haven. When he returned, he worked at Wayside Service Station where, in addition to working on vehicles, he plowed snow, operated heavy equipment, drove a “school bus,” and gave taxi tours around the island. He also served on the fire department, a role he kept for 20 years.

He met Mary Candage while she was bookkeeping at Waterman’s General Store. He asked her out to the Legion Festival events in August, and they were married four months later on New Year’s Day of 1960. Toot and Mary had two daughters, Christine and Laurie. Sundays were set aside for family time, when they all enjoyed regular picnics at Mullen’s Head with friends and walks all over the island.

In 1966 Toot joined Milton Ames as a caretaker at Ames Point, eventually assuming full responsibility for the role until retiring in 2002. His duties, as he wrote when requested for a job description, were “painter, carpenter, mechanic, boatman, rigger, groundskeeper, wood cutter, babysitter, plumber, electrician, mailman – you name it.” By the time he retired, “The Point” had become a second family: he saw two generations grow up and he kept in touch with many of them for the rest of his life.

Toot was known and loved for bestowing creative nicknames, visiting Brown’s twice a day to catch up on the news, keeping a trim lawn, and falling asleep with his napping grandbabies in his arms. He always wore khakis and a white t-shirt, had a rotating collection of baseball caps (never the Yankees), and often observed five-o-clock cocktail hour (always a gin and tonic). He was a jack of all trades, gentle and kind, and observant with a sharp wit.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; daughter Laurie; six grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends.

A memorial service is being planned for June. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the North Haven Historical Society.

To share a memory or condolence with the Waterman family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.