Joel W. Grotton Sr.

Joel W. Grotton, Sr., 67, of China, Maine, passed away on September 4th, 2026, at a Bangor hospital with his sons by his side. Joe was born in Hartford, CT, on March 17th, 1959, to the late John Wyman Grotton, Sr. and Helen A. (Young) Grotton.

He grew up in Vernon, CT, and after surviving a brain tumor as a child in 1966, Joe graduated from Rockville High School in 1978. Joe spent much of his childhood visiting family in Maine - particularly his grandparents' farm in Unity - and in 1980 he moved to Maine where he would proudly spend the rest of his days. A passionate outdoorsman, Joe graduated from Unity College from the Conservation Law program in 1984.

He married Rachel Burk on November 30, 1984, and welcomed his son Joel Jr., in September 1985. He settled a home in South China, ME, on the family compound where he would enthusiastically live many years next-door to his parents, sister Cindy and brother-in-law Bob, and his brother James.

An incredibly dedicated and hard worker, Joe worked in manufacturing for many years. After high school he worked at Hamilton Standard in Windsor Locks, CT. Through the mid 80s he worked at the Crowe Rope Co. in Coopers Mills, ME, and from the late 80s until 2011 he worked at Gates Formed-Fibre in Auburn, ME (later named Formed Fiber Technologies).

Joe married Kelly Gardner on August 18, 1990, and welcomed his second son, Jason, in September 1992.

Joe had many great passions in life, including gardening, coin collecting, motorcycles, Fords, hunting, fishing, playing cards, history, beer (Budweiser), and the Boston Red Sox. He took great pride in his gardens and home-brewed beer. He was an incredibly proud member of the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine and the NRA's Golden Eagles. His greatest love was his family.

Always a man of luck, he drew three Maine moose permits in his life and was a sub-permittee on a fourth. The hunts in 1983, 1998, 2002, and 2013 were all successful! He also loved to tell of many memorable fishing trips with family on Cliff Lake, Lobster Lake, and Lake Ontario. Joe will also be remembered as a great storyteller and family historian.

Joe held a very special place in his heart for his dogs over the years. Most notably, his beagles Christy and Barney,and black labradors, Jack and Shadow.

Joe was predeceased by his parents, Wyman and Helen Grotton; grandparents, John L. and Gladys (Glidden) Grotton and Allen H. and Bernice (Gracie) Young; his brothers, John W. Grotton, Jr. and James W. Grotton; brother-in-law, Alan Setzer; and niece, Courtney Pitman; as well as many special aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Joe is survived by his sister, Cindy Riley and brother-in-law, Bob Riley, of South China, ME, sister, Candy Setzer of Dublin, GA; sons, Joel W. Grotton, Jr. of South China, ME, and Jason W. Grotton of Chelsea, ME; daughter-in-law Annie Grotton of Chelsea, ME; and grandson, Julian W. Grotton of Chelsea, ME. Joe is also survived by his uncle, Tony Grotton of Unity, ME; aunts, Charlotte Young of Topsham, ME, and Rita Carrow of Newport News, VA; nephews, Wade Riley and John Grotton; nieces, Heather Hyatt, Jessica Makowski, Rachael Romaniw, Nancy Turner, and Kiley Grotton; as well as many special cousins and close family friends.

In memory of Joe, we encourage you to plant a tree, play a game of cards, or have a beer in his honor. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe's memory may be made to the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine, 205 Church Hill Road Augusta, ME 04330.

A celebration of Joe's life will be held on Saturday, October 3rd, 2026, at the Riley Farm in South China, beginning at 12 P.M.