Obituary for Donald Alan Dysart
Donald Alan Dysart
CARMEL - Donald Alan Dysart, 78, died peacefully at home on December 4, 2018 after a courageous three-year battle against epithelial mesothelioma. He was surrounded by his loving family when he slipped the bonds of earth and went to join his Lord, The Fisher of Men.
Born in Bangor, August 22, 1940, he was the son of Marshall and Blanche Flanders Dysart. He attended schools in Bangor, Brewer, Cape Elizabeth and Hermon before he enlisted in 1960, proudly serving four years with the US Navy 6th Fleet out of Naples, Italy on the USS Mississinewa AO 144 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1962, he married Nancy Morse of Reading, MA, beginning what would be their nearly 57-year adventure in marriage. The last six months of his service, they were stationed in Charleston, SC, after which they returned to Bangor and began their family with the arrival, in 1965, of their beloved daughter, Judith-Anne. It was in this setting that he carved his lifelong career in the trucking industry.
Beginning with Bean & Conquest/Motor Truck and Trailer Company, he rose within the ranks from diesel mechanic to general manager, guiding the development of the company through the design and construction of the area’s then-largest, truck-fleet service and maintenance facility. During the ensuing years, the company expanded to include his oversight and service management of MT&T Co. facilities in Scarborough, Waterville, and Laconia, NH; and he earned national recognition when Diesel Superintendent magazine featured him and his work as a published cover story. He would subsequently be asked to help develop the curriculum for a CETA-sponsored diesel mechanic training program for Maine.
He was later hired by Hews Equipment Co. to manage shops in Bangor, ME and Hopkinton, NH. Following his retirement from Hews, he joined the family as manager of Dysart’s Transportation, overseeing a fleet of company-owned and owner-operator trucks that numbered hundreds of tractors and trailers. Donald loved the industry, his big trucks and, like the rest of the Dysart family, any piece of equipment that stood well above his own considerable height of 6’4”. The bigger, the better.
He was a 32 degree Mason, a member of Lynde Lodge # 174, Hermon, and Anah Temple Shrine in Bangor. Donald was an enthusiastic participant in the antics of the Keystone Kops and spent many years parading with Shrine units for local Maine communities, frequently at three or four different places for 4th of July celebrations. The joy of entertaining young children fueled the antics of one of Anah Temple’s zaniest units.
He was also a 50-year member and past Noble Grand of the International Order of Odd Fellows, Triumph Lodge # 119 where he led his fellow brothers in their memorable celebration of the nation’s Bicentennial in 1976.
And he was a member of American Legion Carmel-Etna Post # 197.
He was never more at home than in the outdoors - camping, fishing, hunting and snowmobiling. It was with a special congregation of fellow outdoors men and women that he forged his abiding faith in God and his never-ending love of the beauty of all that his Lord had provided.
He was pre-deceased by his parents, his older brother, Milton and two beloved aunts, Nellie Dysart Norell and Louise Dysart Runnells. He is survived by his loving family, wife Nancy, daughter, Judith-Anne and her life-partner, Bruce Thompson.
He will live on in joy-filled memories by his loving and supportive family who walked with him throughout his journey with cancer – his cousins Ed and Mary Perry Dysart, son Rory and wife Megan Dysart, and daughter Amanda; Mary Dysart Hartt and husband Mike, son Dale; Tim and Christie Dysart, their children Jordan and Emily; nieces and nephews Denise Dysart Knapp and husband Joe, daughters Megan, Maddie, Josie and Tessa; Dennis and Karen Dysart, their children, Denny, Kelsey and Cameron; Eric and Jennifer Dysart, sons Ethan, his fiancé Lindsay Nutter, and Brian Dysart.
He is cherished in memory by his sister-in-law, Judy Morse Scott and husband John, their son John II and their daughter, Kristina Scott Siegenthaler and husband, Greg and their foster children, Emma and Cory; his brother-in-law John Morse, wife Joan Noble, and son Jeff; sister-in-law, Betty Hamilton Dysart; and cousins, Marshall and Diane Runnells, Michael and Carol Runnells, Gary and Peggy Runnells, Jimmy and Linda Runnells Ramsey and their families; Sue MacArthur and Scott MacArthur; Susan & Tim Gustafson-Byrne, daughter Aislinn and husband Marc Turner, and son Devlin Byrne and fiancé, Roxanne Brault.
He will also be remembered by many Dysart cousins living in South Indian Lake, Manitoba, especially a soul-brother, William Dysart and wife Hilda, their children and respective families.
He had a profound sense of pride in all his family and in their individual and collective accomplishments – not the least of which was the attainment of Eagle Scout Rank by nephews Ethan, Brian, Denny and Cameron Dysart.
He cherished his friendships, and his life-long loyalties will be held close in their hearts by special friends Buzz and Ann Purdy, Dave Shaffer US Navy, Tim Caldwell US Navy, Gary and Carol Nelson, Larry Nason, Vic Mercer, Ernie Knowles, Paul LeVallee, Don Shumaker, Steve Defina; Margaret MacMillan, Nancy MacMillan and the families and friends of MacDonald Shores, Prince Edward Island; by a special extended family, David and Diana Richardson, daughter Tricia Mulhern and family, son Todd Richardson and family; Donna Mutty, daughter Peggy Wood and family, and son Ryan MacMullen; Steve and Linda Tibbetts, and legions of others who shared his life and adventures.
Donald was the real deal, a man of integrity whose handshake was stronger than a contract; whose love ran deep and pure; and whose grace conquered the odds in his journey with cancer.
He fishes the waters of heaven, his line is tight, his net is full; and he is at peace: there is joy in his world. God is good.
A celebration of Donald’s exceptional life will be held at East Orrington Congregational Church, 38 Johnson Mill Road, Orrington, 04474, on Sunday, January 6, 2019 at 2 pm. Those who wish to honor him in a special way are invited to support the Lafayette Family Cancer Center c/o Northern Light Foundation, 1 Cumberland Place, Bangor, ME 04401; the Masonic Learning Center, 294 Union St., Suite 3, Bangor, ME 04401; and/ or the Moosehead Lake Fisheries Coalition, PO Box 100, Rockwood, ME 04478. A private comital service will be held at Pine Grove Cemetery, Monday.
CARMEL - Donald Alan Dysart, 78, died peacefully at home on December 4, 2018 after a courageous three-year battle against epithelial mesothelioma. He was surrounded by his loving family when he slipped the bonds of earth and went to join his Lord, The Fisher of Men.
Born in Bangor, August 22, 1940, he was the son of Marshall and Blanche Flanders Dysart. He attended schools in Bangor, Brewer, Cape Elizabeth and Hermon before he enlisted in 1960, proudly serving four years with the US Navy 6th Fleet out of Naples, Italy on the USS Mississinewa AO 144 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1962, he married Nancy Morse of Reading, MA, beginning what would be their nearly 57-year adventure in marriage. The last six months of his service, they were stationed in Charleston, SC, after which they returned to Bangor and began their family with the arrival, in 1965, of their beloved daughter, Judith-Anne. It was in this setting that he carved his lifelong career in the trucking industry.
Beginning with Bean & Conquest/Motor Truck and Trailer Company, he rose within the ranks from diesel mechanic to general manager, guiding the development of the company through the design and construction of the area’s then-largest, truck-fleet service and maintenance facility. During the ensuing years, the company expanded to include his oversight and service management of MT&T Co. facilities in Scarborough, Waterville, and Laconia, NH; and he earned national recognition when Diesel Superintendent magazine featured him and his work as a published cover story. He would subsequently be asked to help develop the curriculum for a CETA-sponsored diesel mechanic training program for Maine.
He was later hired by Hews Equipment Co. to manage shops in Bangor, ME and Hopkinton, NH. Following his retirement from Hews, he joined the family as manager of Dysart’s Transportation, overseeing a fleet of company-owned and owner-operator trucks that numbered hundreds of tractors and trailers. Donald loved the industry, his big trucks and, like the rest of the Dysart family, any piece of equipment that stood well above his own considerable height of 6’4”. The bigger, the better.
He was a 32 degree Mason, a member of Lynde Lodge # 174, Hermon, and Anah Temple Shrine in Bangor. Donald was an enthusiastic participant in the antics of the Keystone Kops and spent many years parading with Shrine units for local Maine communities, frequently at three or four different places for 4th of July celebrations. The joy of entertaining young children fueled the antics of one of Anah Temple’s zaniest units.
He was also a 50-year member and past Noble Grand of the International Order of Odd Fellows, Triumph Lodge # 119 where he led his fellow brothers in their memorable celebration of the nation’s Bicentennial in 1976.
And he was a member of American Legion Carmel-Etna Post # 197.
He was never more at home than in the outdoors - camping, fishing, hunting and snowmobiling. It was with a special congregation of fellow outdoors men and women that he forged his abiding faith in God and his never-ending love of the beauty of all that his Lord had provided.
He was pre-deceased by his parents, his older brother, Milton and two beloved aunts, Nellie Dysart Norell and Louise Dysart Runnells. He is survived by his loving family, wife Nancy, daughter, Judith-Anne and her life-partner, Bruce Thompson.
He will live on in joy-filled memories by his loving and supportive family who walked with him throughout his journey with cancer – his cousins Ed and Mary Perry Dysart, son Rory and wife Megan Dysart, and daughter Amanda; Mary Dysart Hartt and husband Mike, son Dale; Tim and Christie Dysart, their children Jordan and Emily; nieces and nephews Denise Dysart Knapp and husband Joe, daughters Megan, Maddie, Josie and Tessa; Dennis and Karen Dysart, their children, Denny, Kelsey and Cameron; Eric and Jennifer Dysart, sons Ethan, his fiancé Lindsay Nutter, and Brian Dysart.
He is cherished in memory by his sister-in-law, Judy Morse Scott and husband John, their son John II and their daughter, Kristina Scott Siegenthaler and husband, Greg and their foster children, Emma and Cory; his brother-in-law John Morse, wife Joan Noble, and son Jeff; sister-in-law, Betty Hamilton Dysart; and cousins, Marshall and Diane Runnells, Michael and Carol Runnells, Gary and Peggy Runnells, Jimmy and Linda Runnells Ramsey and their families; Sue MacArthur and Scott MacArthur; Susan & Tim Gustafson-Byrne, daughter Aislinn and husband Marc Turner, and son Devlin Byrne and fiancé, Roxanne Brault.
He will also be remembered by many Dysart cousins living in South Indian Lake, Manitoba, especially a soul-brother, William Dysart and wife Hilda, their children and respective families.
He had a profound sense of pride in all his family and in their individual and collective accomplishments – not the least of which was the attainment of Eagle Scout Rank by nephews Ethan, Brian, Denny and Cameron Dysart.
He cherished his friendships, and his life-long loyalties will be held close in their hearts by special friends Buzz and Ann Purdy, Dave Shaffer US Navy, Tim Caldwell US Navy, Gary and Carol Nelson, Larry Nason, Vic Mercer, Ernie Knowles, Paul LeVallee, Don Shumaker, Steve Defina; Margaret MacMillan, Nancy MacMillan and the families and friends of MacDonald Shores, Prince Edward Island; by a special extended family, David and Diana Richardson, daughter Tricia Mulhern and family, son Todd Richardson and family; Donna Mutty, daughter Peggy Wood and family, and son Ryan MacMullen; Steve and Linda Tibbetts, and legions of others who shared his life and adventures.
Donald was the real deal, a man of integrity whose handshake was stronger than a contract; whose love ran deep and pure; and whose grace conquered the odds in his journey with cancer.
He fishes the waters of heaven, his line is tight, his net is full; and he is at peace: there is joy in his world. God is good.
A celebration of Donald’s exceptional life will be held at East Orrington Congregational Church, 38 Johnson Mill Road, Orrington, 04474, on Sunday, January 6, 2019 at 2 pm. Those who wish to honor him in a special way are invited to support the Lafayette Family Cancer Center c/o Northern Light Foundation, 1 Cumberland Place, Bangor, ME 04401; the Masonic Learning Center, 294 Union St., Suite 3, Bangor, ME 04401; and/ or the Moosehead Lake Fisheries Coalition, PO Box 100, Rockwood, ME 04478. A private comital service will be held at Pine Grove Cemetery, Monday.