Leland “Mingo” Shelby Mingo, 83, died April 6, 2026. Born August 12, 1942, in Rumford, ME, he was raised in Dixfield, and spent his life leaving behind good stories, good laughs, and the kind of dry, sarcastic humor that somehow made everyone feel included. After this introduction, he will be known as Mingo—because if you ever met him, you probably called him that anyway. An adventurous, hard-working, humorous man, Mingo lived in South Paris, ME, and had a talent for turning ordinary moments into punchlines (and sometimes unforgettable rhymes).
Mingo graduated from Dirigo High School and enlisted in the Air Force after. While enlisted, he was stationed in Merced, CA, where he served for four years. When he returned to Maine, he worked for Diamond International in Peru, ME, and then for International Paper in Jay, ME, until retiring.
Mingo was married to Nancy (Bennett) Mingo for 30 years, and together they raised five children. His family life was full, busy, and—true to form—never short on teasing, quick comebacks, and those signature sarcastic one-liners delivered with perfect timing.
A devoted New England sports fan, Mingo especially loved the Bruins and the Red Sox. He also enjoyed traveling, cooking, and made a tradition of his daily coffee at Dick’s restaurant in Mexico, Maine, where the coffee came with conversation and, if you were lucky, a playful jab. You could always find an atlas, or a cookbook with corners folded for a recipe he might try, next to his chair. He would travel to watch local high school basketball and football games. His favorite week was the High School Basketball tournaments in Augusta, where he liked to sit at the 2nd level and watch people carrying food trip on the top step of the stairs.
Mingo was a member of the American Legion in Rumford, Maine, and he carried genuine pride in service and community, even if he preferred to show it in the practical ways he lived rather than through fanfare.
Mingo was predeceased by his father, Ralph Mingo; his stepfather, Richard Towle; and his mother, Thirza (Holman) Towle. He is survived by his son, Daniel R. Mingo (Mary); his son, Paul R. Mingo (Shannon); his daughter, Terri L. Mingo; his daughter, Tammy M. Mulholland; his daughter, Kara J. Arredondo (Jason); honorary daughter Prudy Adams; his grandsons, Dylan Mingo, Nathan Mingo, and Jacob Mulholland (Hannah Evans); his sister, Vawn Daley; and many nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express their gratitude for the 8 years of excellent care from his “family” at the Maine Veterans’ Home in South Paris.
Interment will be June 27, 10am, at Riverside Cemetery in Dixfield.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Red Sox Foundation, 4 Jersey St, Boston, MA 02215, US, or online at www.redsoxfoundation.org.
