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Warren Nye Phinney Wurm (Pete) was born to Mary F. Shoppe and William Wurm in Kittery, ME, February 21, 1914. He graduated from Traip Academy with honors in academics and athletics. From there he went on to Hebron Academy and graduated
with high honors in business. Marjorie Leonora Freeman (Muffet) was born to Annie Gowen and Everett E. Freeman in York, ME, December 10, 1912. Muffet graduated with very high honors from York High School and she studied cosmetology before being married.
In 1935 Warren Wurm (better known as Pete) married his true love Marjorie Leonora Freeman.
Together they decided to open a take-out where famous Warren’s Lobster House is now
located.
 In only a short time the additions started. Pete and his wife worked tireless hours to
have the business take off. Soon children started to arrive. Marjorie was the first born, Carol
and then Billy Wurm. Billy was born with “Downs” and that changed many things for the
family. As the years passed Billy proved that he was the biggest asset any family could have.
I interviewed Carol Wurm Mick, the only surviving child of Pete Wurm. She and her friends
met at Warren’s this summer to share stories of their exciting childhood!
Sandy Young, one of Carol’s long-time friends, says that Mr. Wurm always made sure that the
neighborhood kids had a wonderful meal here at Warren’s. In fact, she says the girls always sat
in Booth 12 which was their very special gathering place. Whoever showed up always got
treated as if they were family.
When winter set in, the local children would get cardboard boxes and make themselves sleds.
Pete would block off the two sides of Water Street with saw horses so the neighborhood kids
could slide all the way from the top of Commercial Street down to the entrance of what is now
the gift shop. When the sliding was over it was usually time to close the restaurant so Pete
would have the whole neighborhood in for ice cream or hot chocolate.
 As spring rolled around, Carl Young (Carol’s friend) tells about playing baseball in the park
across the street from Warren’s. The local boys ranged in age from 12-15 years old. The park/
ballfield was “the place to be”. The large monument was home plate and the bases were
arranged around the grassy area. On one occasion the “old, worn out” ball finally disintegrated.
The boys were distraught. The ball had been re-wrapped so many times that it just dissolved.
When Pete Wurm saw the disappointed look on the boy’s faces, he gave them $5.00 to purchase
several new balls!
The better the business did the more he was able to give and that he did. In
the late 40’s there were a couple of business men who were having financial trouble and he
managed to save both businesses through his generosity. The names of the businesses are not
as important as the act itself.
As Carol grew up she had many pets. Two of her cats, “Sneakers” and “Daisy” had kittens
from time to time. When Pete threatened to get rid of the cats, Carol used her creative talents.
She made fancy little traveling boxes and put the kittens in them. When the restaurant was busy
she would place the boxes with the kittens under the back seats and away they went never to be
seen again. Can’t you just see the surprised look on the customers faces when they discovered
the extra treat from their visit to Warren’s!
 As time went on and the neighborhood grew, Carol and her friends kept Pete and the Coast Guard busy keeping track of their travels in her boat to the Shoals, York, Hampton or wherever they might end. Up. More than once the parents were lined up at the dock waiting for the arrival of the carefree boatload of kids just having fun. However, the parents were not happy campers because it was always well after sundown.
The one overwhelming theme that shines through the stories of Pete Wurm was his BIG HEART and GENEROUS NATURE!! Carol remembers the 1940’s during World War II when many friends and neighbors did not have the luxury of certain foods. Pete would fill Carol’s wagon with the food that was rationed and have her bring the staples throughout the neighborhood. This happened several times during the course of those few years after the war. What a legacy to leave behind! It appears that all the past and current owners of Warren’s Lobster House have followed Pete Wurm’s example of sharing and supporting the local community. We have all been blessed and Warren’s is a local INSTITUTION!! It is a true honor for the Cunningham family to continue this legacy started by Pete Wurm.
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