Dale Edward Sinclair

Dale E. Sinclair, 76, of Scarborough, died peacefully on April 20, 2016, at Maine Medical Center in Portland. Dale enlightened the lives of everyone he touched through his kind and gentle heart, thoughtfulness and care for others. He will be sorely missed.

Born October 19, 1939, in Wellington, Maine, Dale was the third child of Howard T. and Mary Jenkins Sinclair. He grew up in South Portland and Scarborough where he developed a love of mischief and sports, particularly baseball and basketball. He graduated from Scarborough High School in 1958, received a BS in Education and History from the University of Maine in 1962, and a Master’s in Education in 1968. He embarked on his dream of becoming a high school teacher in Maine in the fall of 1962 at Waterville High School where he began a life-long friendship with fellow teacher Ralph Bickford. Dale started in 1965 what would become a 31-year tenure at Bonny Eagle High School in Standish, Maine, thanks to Ralph’s introduction. At Bonny Eagle, Dale pursued his passion in teaching students with special needs and learning disabilities enabled by his infinite patience, compassion and care, personal characteristics for which he was known well beyond the classroom. Among his many retirement pursuits, Dale wrote and published The Dumpster, a monthly newsletter with an avid readership all around the world.

Dale was a man of great faith, a true Christian. He was a member of Cressey Road United Methodist Church and a Past Master of Harmony Lodge #38 of the Freemasons.

Dale was a loving and devoted husband; a loving, supportive, understanding and fun father; an engaged and enthusiastic grandfather; and one of the best uncles in the world. He was also a father-figure to many, and a fond “Uncle Dale” to even more. He loved nothing better than leading the family Fourth of July parade at camp in Wytopitlock, cheering on his grandchildren at sporting and school events, and regaling friends and family with stories. Eternally optimistic, positive and always smiling, Dale possessed a unique ability to see light in life’s darkest moments.

Dale is survived by his wife Ellen (Kennard) Wescott Sinclair; four children, Debra Cochran and her husband Bruce of Cumberland, Bob Sinclair and his wife Carol of Farmingdale, John Sinclair and his wife Lanie of Rutland, VT, and Stephen Langlois and his wife Sally Marrer of Weston, MA; and five stepchildren, Bruce Wescott and his wife Elizabeth of Lebanon, Judy Welborne and her husband Patrick of Bedford, NH, Elizabeth Plummer and her husband Rick of Biddeford, Lawrence Wescott and his wife Leisa of Berwick, and Michael Wescott and his wife Lynn of Westbrook. He also leaves seven grandchildren, Nicole and Troy Cochran, Nicholas and Ryan Sinclair, Caleb and Abigail Sinclair, and Sophie Marrer-Langlois, and twelve step-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Evelyn Libby and her husband Arnold of Scarborough, Madeline Grant and her husband Wayne of Rustburg, VA, Joseph Sinclair and his wife Lin of New Carney, TX, and eleven nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his first wife of 25 years Gail (Moody) Vencill, a lifelong friend and mother of Debra, Bob and John. He was predeceased by his wife of sixteen years Susanne Watson Sinclair.

Relatives and friends are invited to a time of visitation from 4-7 PM Sunday, May 1, 2016, at Jones Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland. A celebration of Dale’s life will be held on Monday, May 2, 10 AM at Cressey Road United Methodist Church, 81 Cressey Road, Gorham. Burial will follow at Black Point Cemetery in Scarborough.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Dale’s memory are directed to Cressey Road United Methodist Church. Additionally, it would please Dale tremendously if everyone who reads this obituary performs a random act of kindness during the next several days.

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Dale’s online guest book.