Obituary of Michael Justin Little

Michael Justin Little, born May 19, 1948 in Caribou, Maine, died Friday, October 1, 2021 in Bucksport, Maine, surrounded by many of the people he loved, on the farm that he loved. Mike was the epitome of the Renaissance Man – he was a scholar and a farmer; a dancer and a carpenter; a musician and a beekeeper; a book collector and an environmentalist; a fierce cribbage player and a top-notch birder, and so much more. He was a man of many interests and passions who lived and loved life to the fullest. While there are too many to list, his family wanted to recognize some of his many accomplishments and some of our most cherished memories. Prior to his retirement, he spent more than 10 years as the Executive Director at Island Heritage Trust in Deer Isle, Maine where he strove to help the community understand the importance of protecting nature and the island for future generations. Before that he made significant environmental and land conservation contributions through his work at the Belgrade Lakes Association, Belgrade, Maine, and Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center in Brattleboro, Vermont. He contributed to Herpetological Atlases in both Maine and Vermont. He celebrated every May Day with bells on as a Morris Dancer in both Vermont and Maine. He and his wife Dawn, became Scottish Country Dance teachers, and brought Scottish Country Dancing to life in the Blue Hill Peninsula & annually at the Highland Games. Mike died too soon, at 73 years young. His loss will be felt profoundly by his family, friends and all of the communities and lives he touched. He leaves behind the love of his life, Dawn Little, his four children: Seth Little, Katie Goldrick, Sarah Scamperle. and Emily Wheatley, along with his mother, Susan Page Little (of Newbury, Massachusetts), and his three sisters: Susan Little, Nancy Streeter and Martha Arias (also of Newbury, Massachusetts), beloved nephews & nieces, and a menagerie of furred, feathered and scaled pets (and grand-pets). If you feel so inclined, please consider making a donation to: The Flying Squirrel Farm, 678 State Rte 46, Bucksport, ME 04416, so that his legacy can live on. We want to ensure that his final passion project, the beautiful farm that he & his wife spent the last 5 years rebuilding, can continue to provide fresh eggs and produce to family, friends and the community. Or if your interests take you elsewhere, please view his extensive & eclectic book collection: https://www.alibris.com/stores/outsideofadog A celebration of his life and legacy will be held on Saturday, November 6th at The Flying Squirrel Farm in Bucksport. Please contact Mike’s daughter, Katie – kate@kataron.com for more details or questions about celebrations or how to donate to The Flying Squirrel Farm.