In Loving Memory of Dennis Merle Ellingwood
Dennis M. Ellingwood, a long-time member of the Hampden community, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2024, at the age of 81, in the comfort of his home with his beloved wife by his side. Born on September 13, 1942, in Bangor, Maine, Dennis was the son of Kenneth Merle Ellingwood and Lottie Brown (Ricker) Ellingwood.
Dennis was a graduate of Hampden Academy, Class of 1961, where he made a mark on the football field as co-captain during his senior year. Following his graduation, he embarked on a remarkable 50-year career in the automotive industry at Varney’s Auto Supply, Darlings, Autowize, Carquest, owner of Hampden Auto Parts, and finally Steego Auto Parts. In 1963, he married his high school sweetheart, Priscilla Sue Frost, and together they built a life filled with love and laughter. Their union brought forth two daughters, Rhonda and Angela, whom Dennis adored and supported throughout their lives.
Dennis and Priscilla opened their hearts and home to friends and neighborhood kids. Summer days were spent twirling a baton or shooting a basketball with his daughters in the driveway or engaging in horseshoe competitions in the backyard. Winter evenings saw him as a seasoned bowler at Bangor Brewer Bowling Lanes, where he secured several championships and formed lasting friendships.
Nothing lit up Dennis’s life more than spending time with his grandchildren and traveling to see them wherever they were. He bragged about them every chance he got and loved talking to them about history and current events, the old days, and catching up on their interests and achievements.
Dennis was an unwavering fan of New England sports teams, but his heart belonged to the Hampden Academy Broncos. He continued attending sporting events and concerts, always cheering for the kids, whether they were his own or not. His deep connection with his best friend, David Baker, centered around fishing trips and lively discussions about local high school sports.
Upon retiring in 2004, Dennis embraced his passion for golf, playing daily at Hampden Country Club with his dear friends, rain or shine. His skill on the course shone through with two holes-in-one on the 6th hole, now fondly known as Ellingwood’s Corner.
Surviving, in addition to his beloved wife of 60 years, Priscilla (Frost) Ellingwood, are his daughters Rhonda S. (Ellingwood) Kuhrman of Erie, Pennsylvania, and Angela L. Ellingwood and her husband Matthew E. Brady of Hampden, Maine; his sister, Joanne (Ellingwood) Fish and husband David Fish of Hermon; five grandchildren: Sara Julia (Kuhrman) Cambra and husband Jason Cambra of Erie, PA, Jasmine Katherine Kuhrman and William Julian Dennis Kuhrman of Erie, PA, Zoe Lynn Ellingwood of Worcester, MA and Adrian Nicholas Ellingwood of Hampden; many nieces and nephews that he considered grandchildren; and Mark Pierce of Hampden, who was like a son to him; cousin Ronald Clifford of Mapleton, ME and best friend of 73 years, David Baker of Hampden. In addition to his parents, Dennis was predeceased by his brother Arthur Ellingwood, sister Faye (Ellingwood) Teague and son-in-law William F. Kuhrman.
Dennis leaves behind a legacy of love, warmth and camaraderie. An interment will be held at Locust Grove Cemetery in Hampden in the summer as well as a memorial golf tournament at Hampden Country Club to celebrate his life. Details will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Dennis's memory may make donations to the RSU22 Education Foundation, supporting students and education in the district.
To donate, please visit www.rsu22foundation.org and make an individual Paypal donation or send a check to RSU22 Education Foundation P.O. Box 115, Hampden, Maine 04444. Dennis's spirit will live on in the memories of those he touched, forever remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at: simplecremationofmaine.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dennis Ellingwood, please visit our flower store.
Dennis M. Ellingwood, a long-time member of the Hampden community, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2024, at the age of 81, in the comfort of his home with his beloved wife by his side. Born on September 13, 1942, in Bangor, Maine, Dennis was the son of Kenneth Merle Ellingwood and Lottie Brown (Ricker) Ellingwood.
Dennis was a graduate of Hampden Academy, Class of 1961, where he made a mark on the football field as co-captain during his senior year. Following his graduation, he embarked on a remarkable 50-year career in the automotive industry at Varney’s Auto Supply, Darlings, Autowize, Carquest, owner of Hampden Auto Parts, and finally Steego Auto Parts. In 1963, he married his high school sweetheart, Priscilla Sue Frost, and together they built a life filled with love and laughter. Their union brought forth two daughters, Rhonda and Angela, whom Dennis adored and supported throughout their lives.
Dennis and Priscilla opened their hearts and home to friends and neighborhood kids. Summer days were spent twirling a baton or shooting a basketball with his daughters in the driveway or engaging in horseshoe competitions in the backyard. Winter evenings saw him as a seasoned bowler at Bangor Brewer Bowling Lanes, where he secured several championships and formed lasting friendships.
Nothing lit up Dennis’s life more than spending time with his grandchildren and traveling to see them wherever they were. He bragged about them every chance he got and loved talking to them about history and current events, the old days, and catching up on their interests and achievements.
Dennis was an unwavering fan of New England sports teams, but his heart belonged to the Hampden Academy Broncos. He continued attending sporting events and concerts, always cheering for the kids, whether they were his own or not. His deep connection with his best friend, David Baker, centered around fishing trips and lively discussions about local high school sports.
Upon retiring in 2004, Dennis embraced his passion for golf, playing daily at Hampden Country Club with his dear friends, rain or shine. His skill on the course shone through with two holes-in-one on the 6th hole, now fondly known as Ellingwood’s Corner.
Surviving, in addition to his beloved wife of 60 years, Priscilla (Frost) Ellingwood, are his daughters Rhonda S. (Ellingwood) Kuhrman of Erie, Pennsylvania, and Angela L. Ellingwood and her husband Matthew E. Brady of Hampden, Maine; his sister, Joanne (Ellingwood) Fish and husband David Fish of Hermon; five grandchildren: Sara Julia (Kuhrman) Cambra and husband Jason Cambra of Erie, PA, Jasmine Katherine Kuhrman and William Julian Dennis Kuhrman of Erie, PA, Zoe Lynn Ellingwood of Worcester, MA and Adrian Nicholas Ellingwood of Hampden; many nieces and nephews that he considered grandchildren; and Mark Pierce of Hampden, who was like a son to him; cousin Ronald Clifford of Mapleton, ME and best friend of 73 years, David Baker of Hampden. In addition to his parents, Dennis was predeceased by his brother Arthur Ellingwood, sister Faye (Ellingwood) Teague and son-in-law William F. Kuhrman.
Dennis leaves behind a legacy of love, warmth and camaraderie. An interment will be held at Locust Grove Cemetery in Hampden in the summer as well as a memorial golf tournament at Hampden Country Club to celebrate his life. Details will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Dennis's memory may make donations to the RSU22 Education Foundation, supporting students and education in the district.
To donate, please visit www.rsu22foundation.org and make an individual Paypal donation or send a check to RSU22 Education Foundation P.O. Box 115, Hampden, Maine 04444. Dennis's spirit will live on in the memories of those he touched, forever remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at: simplecremationofmaine.com.
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