Linwood Carville

Linwood "Woody" Carville: 1931-2025

Linwood "Woody" Leland Carville passed away August 2, 2025, at St. Joesph's Hospital in Bangor, Maine. He was 93 years old. Woody was born in Lewiston, Maine on August 20, 1931. He was the son of Katherine McGorman Carville and Harry Linwood Carville. The family, including his older sister Eleanor, eventually settled in York, Maine. Woody graduated from York High School as an excellent student and athlete. He entered the University of Maine in Orono in 1949. He distinguished himself as a three-sport athlete and was elected membership in two academic honor societies, graduating in 1953. While attending college, he participated in ROTC. He married Jean Grindle in October 1953, and they had two children, Douglas and Deborah. The family later resided in Orono, Maine for many years.

Upon graduation, Woody was employed first at Waterville High School in Maine and later at Laconia High School in New Hampshire as a teacher and coach. He was employed at the University of Maine in Orono for 32 years. During those years, he served as a coach, Assistant Dean of Men, and Associate Athletic Director. While at the University, he also taught an Athletic Administration class, was a member of the Faculty Athletics Board, established and ran the summer sports clinics, and was on the M Club Board of Directors. He received a Black Bear Award for Distinguished Service and an Alumni Service Award for his outstanding contributions to the University. Woody served in the United States Army Reserve for 30 years receiving a Legion of Merit Award and retiring as a full Colonel.

In 2001, Woody was inducted into the University of Maine Sports Hall of Fame as a student-athlete, coach and administrator. In recognition of Woody's commitment to support students in academic and athletic endeavors, an annual Senior Achievement Award honoring a football player is given in Woody's name. He was a board member for the Orono-Old Town YMCA, Treasurer of the Orono Volunteer Rescue Squad, charter member of the Orono Land Trust, and served on the Orono School Committee. He was a distinguished member of the Orono-Old Town Kiwanis, a Little League baseball coach, and a YMCA swim meet official. He was a congregant of the Church of Universal Fellowship. Woody could often be found manicuring his lawn, flower beds, and vegetable gardens.

Woody is predeceased by his parents Harry Linwood Carville and Katherine McGorman Carville, his sister Eleanor Todd and his wife Jean Carville. He is survived by his son, Douglas Carville and daughter, Deborah Carville-Welton. Mr. Carville is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Karen Carville, wife of Douglas Carville as well as two grandsons Chris and Brian Carville. This generation carries on with the Carville family with great-grandchildren, Rory Carville, daughter of Chris and Brittany Carville, and Ari Janice Carville, daughter of Brian Carville and fiancé Eden Cianciolo. Woody is also survived by his sister-in-law Norma Patterson as well as several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Woody's life will be held at the Church of Universal Fellowship in Orono, Maine on Friday, September 5th, 2025, 1:00 p.m. A reception will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Orono-Old Town Kiwanis or to plant a tree in Woody's honor. The tree planting information is available on the Woody Carville obituary page at Brookings-Smith .https://www.brookings-smith.com