Dale Philip Grant
West Enfield, ME - Dale Philip Grant died unexpectedly at his home in Enfield on Tuesday, February 3rd.
Dale was born in Hampden in 1936, the son of Ernestine (Thorndike) Grant and H. "Jim" Grant. He is survived by his wife Carole (Hatch) Grant, of Enfield, a daughter, Jeannine Grant Loupin and three sons, Kenneth, Robert and Alan Grant. He will be sadly missed by his grandchildren, Rhianna Loupin, Ian, Alec and Liam Grant and Camden Grant. He is also survived by his sister, Shirley Grant Goodspeed and two brothers, Jim and Peter Grant, an aunt, Audrey Smith and an uncle, Ashley Thorndike, as well as his mother-in law, Leona Towle Hatch of Enfield.
Dale graduated from Mattanawcook Academy in 1954, and Maine Maritime Academy in 1957. He went on to earn his Chief Engineer's license, and proudly served as a Merchant Marine during the Vietnam War. He was a life-long member of the Mason's Hancock Lodge No. 4 in Castine, Maine.
Dale led a varied and satisfying professional life, working as an engineer for Allied Chemical Company in South Point Ohio, Georgia Pacific in Baileyville, Maine, Lincoln Pulp and Paper, and Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire before re-locating with his family overseas to serve as Superintendent of Marine Operations for Arabian American Oil Company in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia. In 1983, during a special project in Brazil, Dale was responsible for building one of the world's largest jack-up barges, a state-of-the-art, self-propelled repair barge for oil rigs.
In 1985, Dale and his wife returned to Lee, Maine where they owned and operated Katahdin View Farm growing foundation seed potatoes. During that time Dale and Carole were fortunate enough to have all four of their children return to Maine with their families. In addition to their own professional pursuits, three of his children dabbled in farming alongside their father. Dale took great pride in having his grandchildren near, and enjoyed being "Grandpa." He loved farming, caring for animals and being outdoors, a love he freely shared with his grandchildren whenever he could. He enjoyed helping to care for his granddaughter's two horses, and his chickens. Jo Jo, Dale's dog, was always at his side as he worked or did his chores.
In semi-retirement from the farm, Dale was most recently known as the "tool man," at Lincoln Rental Systems, where he managed the equipment and worked with his youngest son, Alan. Dale's family is planning visiting hours at Clay Funeral Home, 7 Lee Road, Lincoln on Saturday, February 7th from 2 - 6 p.m., where Masonic services will be held at 5:00 p.m.
Those who wish to remember Dale may make a donation to the Mattanawcook Academy Class of 1954, 50th Reunion Fund. Donations may be dropped off at the funeral home or mailed in care of Bobby Libby, 192 Richardson Farm Road, Lee, ME 04455.