H. Howard Dunn

ELLSWORTH -- H. Howard Dunn, 80, died unexpectedly on January 12, 2013 at the Maine Coast Memorial Hospital in Ellsworth . He was the oldest of three sons born to Butler and Marion Young Dunn in Ellsworth on March 8, 1932. He attended Ellsworth High School where he ran track and cross country.

He then graduated from Washington State Teachers’ College (U Maine at Machias) where he also was a member of the varsity basketball team. It was there that he met Freda Dodge, his devoted wife of 61 years. They began their teaching careers together in Castine and shortly thereafter moved to Rumford where they lived for nearly 35 years.

Howard began as an elementary school teacher at the Kimball School in Rumford Point and later served in a number of administrative roles including principal and eventually superintendent of the Rumford School Department. During their Rumford years, Howard and Freda raised their family and developed many lifelong friendships.

Howard enjoyed sports, hunting, fishing, collecting stamps, and could often be found in a greenhouse, garden, or berry patch. Throughout his life, family was unfailingly his highest priority. His loving commitment was evidenced through the “daily news” emails that he sent each night to his children and grandchildren. He was admired for his kindness, generosity, reliability and sense of humor and was considered a true gentleman of the old school.

Howard is survived by his beloved wife, Freda (Dodge) Dunn; his two brothers, George and Dick and their wives, Donna and Peg; his five children, Darrell and wife, Adrianne of Mariaville, Gerry and wife, Karen of Skowhegan, Teresa and husband, Gary Giroux of Columbia, MD, Cindy and husband, Carl Bishop of Standish, and Kathy Love of New Market, MD, with whom he created many fond memories, particularly of time spent at the family camps on Beech Hill and Howard Ponds.

Howard was the proud grandfather of Tyler, Russell, Greg, Chris, Lauren, Matt, Caitlin, Megan and Emily and one great-granddaughter, Lily. He was also loved and admired by his many nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Visiting hours will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday at Jordan Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday at the Maine Coast Baptist Church, 867 Bangor Rd., Ellsworth. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the American Cancer Society, New England Division, Hancock Unit, P.O. Box 476, Brunswick, ME 04011-0476.