“A true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of his heart.” Carlton Raymond Dawes born December 6, 1934 left his final footprints on our hearts January 15, 2019 at the age of 84.
He was born and raised in Skowhegan, Maine. On January 12, 1954 he married the love of his life, Shirley Dawes (Adams). Shirley was loved and cherished by Carlton all 65 years of their marriage. Carlton and Shirley planted roots in East Madison where they lovingly raised five beautiful daughters and watched their family tree grow.
He served in the United States Army from January 15, 1954 to March 27, 1956. He then began a career on the Kennebec Log Drive from 1956 to 1976 where he was a heavy equipment mechanic. Following commencement of the log drive he continued to utilize his mechanic skills working in the woods for Scott Paper Company, from which he retired. Following retirement he “worked” nurturing his grandchildren before and after school. When the grandchildren grew the slow pace of retirement didn’t suit Carlton’s busy nature and he took up work as a “jack of all trades” for Spurwink Services.
Carlton spent a number of years traveling the US with Shirley; together they visited Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida, Alaska, and Las Vegas. He looked forward to the family’s Belfast outing each summer where he splurged on lobster and clams. He was an outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and ATV’ing. Most of all, he enjoyed weekends spent camping near #5 Mountain with his son-in laws and grandsons. Although most would not consider firewood a hobby, it seemed to be his biggest accomplishment each summer.
“Every year is a delicate thread we weave in the tapestry of time. Each moment we’re granted offers us the opportunity to create our own personal masterpiece…” Carlton’s masterpiece was his family. He is predeceased by his father Ernest and mother Gladys, a son, Carlton Jr, twin girls, and brothers Reginald, Rodney, and Kenneth. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, brother and “partner in crime” Ernie and wife Pam, five daughters, Debbie and husband Harland, Brenda and husband Jeffrey, Lori and husband Greg, Pamela and husband Steven, and Lisa and partner Nayak, grandchildren, Chief Master Sergent Brett and wife Amy, Amy and husband Eric, Ryan and partner Amy, Shanna and husband Michael, Mandy and husband Dylan, Timothy and wife Loralie, Lacey and husband Scott, Dalton and wife Jessi, along with 13 great grand-children who adored “Little Grampy”.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday January 26, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine. A burial will be held in the Spring at the Evergreen Cemetery in Solon, Maine.
“What we leave behind is not engraved in stone monuments, but is woven into the lives of others. Children are born, traditions are passed, and the love continues into eternity. Although we no longer share Carlton’s physical presence, his spirit remains in the hearts of our family and we will forever embrace his love. “
