Gilbert E. Dunham, 83, of Greenwood passed away on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at his home in Locke Mills.

Gilbert was born Sept. 26, 1940, in Locke Mills to Edgar and Mae (Coolidge) Dunham. He attended the village school and graduated from Woodstock High School in 1959. He worked at Penley’s clothespin mill in West Paris–for many years as a saw filer and later also as supervisor of the sawmill–and part-time at Bob’s Corner Store. After the mill closed in 2002, he worked for the Pottle Works program in Mechanic Falls, transporting clients with disabilities to and from job sites and assisting them with their tasks. He was a member of the Greenwood Fire Department, the Greenwood Historical Society, and the Locke Mills Union Church, and served as a school director.

Gilbert spent countless hours on his family’s land on Rowe Hill in Greenwood, cutting wood to warm his home or just roaming its twitch roads and trails. After retirement he was often seen walking on the Greenwood Road with his sister. Three weeks before his death, the weather and his health allowed him one last trip across May’s Bridge—one last glimpse of the ponds and the hills of the town where he had gathered and then lost so many memories.

On June 30, 1962, he married Barbara Cyr of West Paris, who would remain by his side until his last breath. They valued their time together far more than their time apart, enjoying trips to Bar Harbor and visits with family, whether nearby or many states away. They were blessed with three children and 12 grandchildren, each of whom brought Gilbert (”Papa” to his grandkids) a special joy. All will miss his inescapable sense of humor and his big, big heart, which always had room for one more.

Gilbert is survived by his devoted wife, Barbara; daughter Tammy Caron and her husband, Robert, of Lewiston; son Jeffrey and his wife, Maria, of Cape Coral, Florida; son Christopher of Greenwood; sister Eileen Dunham of Greenwood; grandchildren Aleya, Beth, Brittany, Crystal, Elisabeth, Elliot, Hailey, Heather, Jada, Jessica, Rebecca, and Stella; and several great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank Katie and Allie of Androscoggin Home Health and Hospice and their colleagues for the compassionate, superlative care given to Gilbert in the last stage of his illness.

Gilbert’s life will be celebrated at a family gathering in the fall.

Gilbert E. Dunham, 83, of Greenwood passed away on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at his home in Locke Mills.

Gilbert was born Sept. 26, 1940, in Locke Mills to Edgar and Mae (Coolidge) Dunham. He attended the village school and graduated from Woodstock High School in 1959. He worked at Penley’s clothespin mill in West Paris–for many years as a saw filer and later also as supervisor of the sawmill–and part-time at Bob’s Corner Store. After the mill closed in 2002, he worked for the Pottle Works program in Mechanic Falls, transporting clients with disabilities to and from job sites and assisting them with their tasks. He was a member of the Greenwood Fire Department, the Greenwood Historical Society, and the Locke Mills Union Church, and served as a school director.

Gilbert spent countless hours on his family’s land on Rowe Hill in Greenwood, cutting wood to warm his home or just roaming its twitch roads and trails. After retirement he was often seen walking on the Greenwood Road with his sister. Three weeks before his death, the weather and his health allowed him one last trip across May’s Bridge—one last glimpse of the ponds and the hills of the town where he had gathered and then lost so many memories.

On June 30, 1962, he married Barbara Cyr of West Paris, who would remain by his side until his last breath. They valued their time together far more than their time apart, enjoying trips to Bar Harbor and visits with family, whether nearby or many states away. They were blessed with three children and 12 grandchildren, each of whom brought Gilbert (”Papa” to his grandkids) a special joy. All will miss his inescapable sense of humor and his big, big heart, which always had room for one more.

Gilbert is survived by his devoted wife, Barbara; daughter Tammy Caron and her husband, Robert, of Lewiston; son Jeffrey and his wife, Maria, of Cape Coral, Florida; son Christopher of Greenwood; sister Eileen Dunham of Greenwood; grandchildren Aleya, Beth, Brittany, Crystal, Elisabeth, Elliot, Hailey, Heather, Jada, Jessica, Rebecca, and Stella; and several great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank Katie and Allie of Androscoggin Home Health and Hospice and their colleagues for the compassionate, superlative care given to Gilbert in the last stage of his illness.

Gilbert’s life will be celebrated at a family gathering in the fall.