Final Salute

Thomas Roy Pottle, 64, of Perry, passed away on May 17, 2026, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with leukemia. Tom was born in Eastport on January 7, 1962, to Roy Ellsworth and E. Irene Pottle.

Tom attended Perry Clark School and Shead High School before enlisting in the U.S. Navy as a member of the Seabees. After five years of dedicated service, Tom knew he wanted to return home to Perry. Upon his return, he worked alongside his father in the woods, at the sawmill, and building houses. Tom also spent many years working as a commercial diver for local aquaculture farms around Eastport. For the last twenty-five years, Tom could be found at Pembroke Lumber, the sawmill started by his father. He took immense pride in knowing the mill is now run by his son, Thomas, and family.

An avid outdoorsman, Tom loved being in the woods-whether he was cruising wood lots, hunting, or fishing. In his younger years, he enjoyed playing baseball, and he was incredibly happy to pass his knowledge of both baseball and hunting down to his grandsons, Roman and Sean. Tom also deeply cherished the frequent video calls he received from his daughters and granddaughters.

Tom was an active member of his community and belonged to several organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, the Military Honor Guard, and the Cobscook Bay Fishing Association, where he worked diligently to promote scallop sustainability for local fishermen.

On August 29, 1987, Tom married the love of his life, Joyce, and together they built a beautiful life filled with wonderful memories.

Tom was predeceased by his parents, Roy and Irene Pottle; his sister and brother-in-law, Peggy and Bobby Davis; and his mother-in-law, Ruth Clark.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Joyce; their three children, Helen Newman (Brandon), Dorothy Garcia (Deitrick), and Thomas Pottle Jr. (Tanesha); and his five cherished grandchildren, Roman and Sean Pottle, Della Garcia, and Ava and Lyla Newman. Tom also leaves behind his three sisters, Anne Brewster (Robert), Susan Mitchell (Gary Griffin), and Teresa Craig (Steve); his father-in-law, Kenneth Clark; his brothers-in-law, Richard Clark (Bobbie) and Kevin Clark (Susan); as well as many special nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and the Lafayette Cancer Center for their compassionate care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 28, 2026, at St. Joseph Church, 51 Washington St., Eastport. Burial will follow in Restlawn Cemetery, Perry.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s memory to Sarah’s House in Holden. In honor of Tom and his brave battle, the family also warmly encourages loved ones and friends to consider donating blood and registering with the bone marrow registry.
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