Meldeau Arnold "Sonny" Whitton, 79, died peacefully on December 15th, 2022 at Maine Medical Center, after a lengthy illness, surrounded by family and friends who love him. Born on November 29, 1943 in Portland, Sonny was the son of Meldeau Whitton Sr. and Gladys Hoar. Sonny and his 3 sisters grew up on Peaks Island, where, like several generations before him, he spent so much of his life. Sonny was seen all around the island in the Whitton's Service Center oil truck. He was always happy to help a fellow islander in need, whether it was with a broken down car or faulty furnace. Sonny also spent time as a lobsterman, captaining the Stacey Leigh, among others. On November 23, 1963, Sonny married Estelle A. Boyle, also of Peaks Island. Sonny and Estelle stayed on the island for many years, raising two children, Gregg and Stacey. The two spent time living on Peaks and in Portland before settling for the past decade in Cumberland at their daughter Stacey's farm, where he enjoyed helping with the daily farm chores. For many years, starting in 2009, Sonny worked every day at his son Gregg's lobster shop, Ancient Mariner Lobster Company, where he enjoyed meeting new people and swapping stories with old friends. Sonny will be remembered as a witty, helpful, and kind man who never had a bad thing to say about another person. He charmed all his doctors and nurses, and made even the most serious of souls crack a big smile with his one-liners. Among many things, Sonny loved watching the Patriots with his family, hunting with his buddies in November at Moosehead, tinkering on his truck, and visiting his camp in Old Town. And while he didn't love her barking, he also loved his dog, Oceana, and the others that came before her. Sonny is predeceased by his parents, Meldeau Sr., and Gladys, and his three sisters, Marlene, Beverly, and Cheryl. He is survived by his wife, Estelle, son Gregg, daughter Stacey and her husband Tom, daughter-in-law Debra, grandchildren Olivia, Madeline, Christopher, Quinn, and Elspeth. Sonny also loved and was loved by many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and a large community of extended family and friends. Visiting hours will be held 4-7pm on Tuesday, December 27 at A.T. Hutchins Funeral & Cremation Services, 660 Brighton Avenue in Portland. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, 217 Landing Road, Westbrook, ME 04092.
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