John William "Bill" Cudworth Obituary (1954 - 2024)

John William Cudworth (Bill), 69, of Alfred, Maine passed away after a long battle with Frontotemporal Dementia on June 23, 2024 at Pinnacle Nursing Home in Berwick, Maine. He was born on November 10, 1954, to John C. and Agnes Cudworth in Lowell, Massachusetts. He grew up with 6 siblings and attended local Lowell schools. He graduated from Lowell Trade School in 1974 where he studied to be an electrician. This served him well as he continued this trade throughout his entire life. Learning from his brother-in-law, and close mentor, Joe Gendreau, Bill also passed along this trade to many family members including his brother, nephews, stepson Jeffrey and his son Billy. Bill treasured his time with Billy and he was so proud to see his son carrying on this family tradition. In 1975, Bill began traveling to Shapleigh, Maine to visit his parents who had relocated there. It was there that he met Suzette. Bill came in with his city street attitude and fast cars. He always loved big engines; his mantra was the louder the better. In those days, as a young adult he had both a 1969 Pontiac GTO and a 1974 Chevelle, he would go pick up the Chief of Police’s daughter, Suzette. Bill married Suzette Pride in 1975 and shortly after marrying, he moved on from the cars and bought a dodge truck that started his passion for racing. The truck was legendary in the town, a baby blue truck that everyone saw and heard coming. They went on to have 4 daughters and 1 son. Bill loved his kids and when he would speak of them, it was clear that he was proud of each one of them. As time went on, competitive racing was his passion. He was so proud of the mud car that he built, naming it “Against the Wind” after is favorite Bob Segar tune. He and the family would often take off for a day of racing and on a few occasions would camp over a long weekend to watch him race. He liked mischief and very often you would see this car taking a ride around the block, up to the local convenience store, or even down US Route 1. He was a fan of music. On a Friday or Saturday night you would hear vintage rock blaring from his garage. Bob Segar was one of his favorites, although The Gamble by Kenny Rogers was a close second. He enjoyed a crowd and loved to be the center of it. Bill had a unique sense of humor, often inappropriate, but his laugh was genuine, and his crystal blue eyes would light up. Although he worked a lot, he did enjoy his downtime. In these times, he would enjoy a cold Budweiser and anything seafood- he loved his lobster. He loved the ocean- seeing it, being on it, and eating things from it. He hosted many lobster parties and would often swing into a store just to buy a bag of lobster meat to snack on. For a period of time, he owned a lobster boat that he kept in Wells Harbor. He enjoyed striper fishing and trapping lobster, although it was common for him to get lost. He would often call home to let the family know that he was in a completely different harbor. In 1994, he met Marianne, his “Mare”. He married her in 2000 and with this, he gained 4 stepchildren. With their combined blended family, they had 9 children. In 1999, they added to their family a son, Joshua. The joke was that they were a real-life Brady Bunch with 5 daughters and 5 sons. They resided in Alfred with a private pond where many of the grandchildren learned a love for fishing. As the children grew and left, Bill and Mare found comfort with their pets. Bill loved his Newfoundland, Abigail. Even as his disease progressed, he found comfort in Abby. They would bring Abby with them while they would take their date nights out for a bite to eat at local seafood restaurants. Their favorite was Billy’s Chowder House in Wells, Maine. In the 2011, Bill began running a local restaurant/bar in Acton, Maine. He had always dreamed of owning a restaurant. He loved this, although it was a brief period for him, this was his ‘space’ as he would often talk about these times. His children enjoyed this era as well and in typical Bill fashion, he would offer a night out on him. He eventually gave up the restaurant and his focus went back to electrical work. He enjoyed working, he would rarely take a day off. Bill was a very talented electrician and there was never anything that he could not figure out. He continued this until the disease had progressed. As Bill’s disease progressed, Marianne became his primary caretaker. She was dedicated to keeping Bill at home for as long as she could. At times, it was a very unrewarding task, but she never wavered and was determined that he would stay with her in their home for as long as possible. She and their youngest son, Joshua worked together to care for Bill until a tragedy struck. During this time, they suffered the tragic loss of their youngest son, Joshua. Even through the disease progressed, it was clear that Bill loved her. Often while in the nursing home, he would look for a phone to call Mare. Over the past few years, Bill was a resident at Pinnacle in North Berwick, Maine. The family would like to thank this facility for not only taking care of him but truly loving him. Like many who crossed paths with him, they fell for those mesmerizing blue eyes. A special thanks goes to Sarah, she not only took care of Bill but she took the time to know him and all of this favorite things. She loved him like family. As Bill’s time neared the end, MJ from Wentworth Hospice not only spent hours sitting with Bill but took the time to let us know his status and comfort as well as what we should expect. You both will be forever in our hearts. He is predeceased by his parents, John and Agnes Cudworth, a sister Barbara Pare, and his youngest son, Joshua. He is survived by a large family which includes his wife Marianne, his daughters, Mandy Glaude and her husband Michael of Saco, Amy Gendron of Sanford, Stacy Cudworth and her partner Marc of Springvale, Kerry Levesque and her husband Evan of Springvale, and his son Billy Cudworth and his wife Megan of Acton. In addition to his biological children his step-children include Melanie Laverriere and her husband Jim of Alfred, Peter Neumayer and his wife Carrie of St. Albans, John Neumayer and his wife Tara of Arizona, and Jeffrey Neumayer and his wife Jacey of Somersworth, NH. He also has several incredible grandchildren. Bill’s siblings include Joann Dean of North Carolina, Louise Gendreau and her husband Joe, of Lowell, MA, Donna Kenney and her husband Peter of Webster, NH, Kim Manning of Springvale, Scott Cudworth and his wife Karen of Shapleigh, along with many nieces and nephews. For those who knew Bill, it is no secret that he was not a fan of traditional funerals and services. They made him uncomfortable, and it is not what he wanted. With that, the family would like to offer a gathering place for those wishing to have a beer, share a story, and listen to some good ole school music. Arrangements are made for Iron Tails in Acton Maine on Friday June 28 at 2pm. Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and cremation service, Sanford-Springvale.