Dwight Eaton

Dwight Littlefield Eaton, 90, of Brooksville, Maine died peacefully under the care of Hospice at his home on November 22, 2025, with family by his side. He was born August 2, 1935 in Bangor, the youngest son of George F. and Elizabeth Gale (Littlefield) Eaton.

He spent his summers growing up with three older brothers in the coastal town of Brooksville. There he learned to sail and attended Robinhood Camp on Walker Pond where he had the distinction of playing reveille each morning on the bugle. Throughout his life, Dwight continued to play the bugle, coronet and trumpet and he maintained a love of all types of music.

Dwight graduated from Deerfield Academy, Class of 1953, and Bowdoin College, Class of 1957, where he excelled in track and field and held several records including sprinting, the long jump and pole vault. 

Following his graduation from college, Dwight was employed in Boston for seven years at the State Street Bank and Trust Company. He returned to Maine in 1965 to accept a position at the Bar Harbor Banking and Trust Company, heading its Trust Department until his retirement in 2000. He served 15 years on the Bank's Board of Directors retiring in the year 2005 and was the President and CEO of the former BTI Financial Group.

Dwight was proud to be a member of the Acadia Corporation Board of Directors since 1967 serving as Chairman of the Board until his death.

He was extremely active in Community service. In his early years, he became a Director of MDI Housing for the Elderly, Inc. which provided the seed money and beginning of the Bar Harbor Housing Authority for which he then served as a Commissioner and its Vice Chairman for many years. He was part of a small group organizing the Bar Harbor (MDI) Rotary Club, becoming its third President and years later received the distinction of "Paul Harris Fellow". He was active on the MDI Hospital Board of Trustees, and executive committee, ultimately serving as its President and Chairman. He was on the board of the former Bar Harbor Public Health Nursing Association and its Treasurer, and the Board of MDI Biological Laboratory and its Treasurer.

Other affiliations included membership of St. Saviour's Episcopal Church, where he served on the vestry and the Anah Shrine where he was an active bugler for several years in its Drum and Bugle Corp. He was also active in Masonry and a 50-year member of the Bar Harbor Masonic Lodge #185.

Following his retirement, he and his wife Carolyn moved full-time to Brooksville. There he spent time renovating his early 1900's sea captain's home and sailing aboard his sloop, 'Total Return'. He took great pleasure in being a member of the Brooklin Band where he played the trumpet and enjoyed the camaraderie with other musicians. He was a member of the Bucks Harbor Yacht Club where he served as Treasurer for 6 years. He became an associate member of the Brooksville Methodist Church and became a Trustee and its Treasurer for many years. He was a member of the Lakeview Cemetery Association of Brooksville and served as its Treasurer. He became a Director of the Downeast Horizon Foundation in 2010, an organization devoted to individuals with developmental disabilities. He served as Vice President 2011-2017 and President from 2017 until his death. 

In 2008, Dwight was predeceased by his wife, Carolyn, following a brief illness after 51 wonderful and loving years of marriage. He felt fortunate the entire family was able to vacation together and celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary at their resort in Mexico prior to her death.

Dwight's family was thrilled their father found love again with Alison Miner who also lost her beloved spouse to cancer. Dwight and Alison enjoyed many years of living on the coast of Maine, traveling during winter months and being involved in the Brooksville community. They adopted two King Charles Cavalier Spaniels, Winston and Ginger, who provided them with a great deal of happiness and joy.

Dwight is survived by his significant other Alison Miner of Searsport; his daughters Bethany Shea and her husband Don, of Bar Harbor; Catherine Eaton and her husband William Lissenden, of Brooksville; his son David Eaton and his wife Carolyn (Hodgkins), of Bar Harbor; four grandchildren Kyle Shea of Anchorage, AK, Sam Woodward of San Diego, CA, Ben Eaton of Verona, WI, Megan Eaton of Bar Harbor; many nieces and nephews.

Dwight was predeceased by his parents George F. Eaton, and Elizabeth Gale (Littlefield) Eaton; his wife Carolyn (Colburn) Eaton; brothers, Franklin W. Eaton and his wife, Florence "Polly" (Perry) Eaton, Richard G. Eaton of Maryland, Robert J. Eaton and his wife Julia (Lorenz) Eaton of Bangor.

Dwight was able to spend his final days in the comfort of his home thanks to an amazing team of caregivers. Special thanks to Joanne Snow, Lori Eaton, Dorri Moon, and Molly Varnum for their compassionate and loving care.

A celebration of Dwight's life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 2, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St, Bangor, with the Rev. Gary Vencill and Pastor Heather Dunham officiating.

The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163

Center St., following the service. A private interment will be at Lakeview Cemetery, Brooksville at a later date. Those who wish to remember Dwight in a special way, may make gifts to the Brooksville United Methodist Church, PO Box 34, Brooksville, ME 04617 or Lakeview Cemetery Association of Brooksville, 68 Indian Springs Drive NE, Rydal, GA 30171. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.