MACHIAS – Dale F. Clemons, 68, of Court Street, died Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at Downeast Community Hospital after a brief but courageous battle with cancer, his loving family was by his side. He was born Jan. 19, 1940, in Machias, the son of David R. “Pat” and Olevia M. McKeown Clemons. He attended local schools and graduated from Machias Memorial High School. On March 5, 1960, he married Jean M. Wilcox in St. Stephens, New Brunswick. Dale worked for the town of Machias in the fire department, police department and public works until 1972. He then went to work for the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, serving under three sheriffs, Hap Tracy, his father, David Clemons and Reid Muholland, who promoted him to chief deputy. In 1980 he joined the Machias Police Department, where he served as a patrol officer for the town for five years until assuming the position of corrections guard at Bucks Harbor Correctional Facility in 1985, retiring in 2002. Unable to remain idle after retirement, he worked on construction projects and was a handyman and dishwasher at Bluebird Family Restaurant, until illness forced him to get done. Dale followed very closely in his own father’s footsteps with law enforcement. He was always fair and treated people with dignity and respect, no matter what the circumstances were. People he arrested would meet him on the street, shake his hand and thank him for his help. He never judged anyone because of their place in life or the situation they were in. He was an avid sportsman who loved hunting, fishing and trapping. He loved being in the outdoors, whether it was spending time at his camp on Fulton Lake, riding the lake in his canoe, working in the garden or helping family shingle their camp. He was always willing to help others and expected nothing in return for his labors. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and family to Florida, Hawaii, Las Vegas, on an Alaskan Cruise and most recently, to Florida to visit with his brother. He was a member of Masons Howard Lodge No. 91, Machias, having just received his 40-year pin. He was predeceased by both of his parents. He is survived by his wife of 48 years; a son, Kevin D. Clemons of Scarborough; a daughter, Patti L. Clemons of Machias; two grandsons, William D. Clemons of Amherst, N.Y., and Mathew D. Clemons of Campbello Island, New Brunswick; a brother, Donald A. and his wife, Helen L. Hatt, of Machias; a sister-in-law, Gloria and her husband, Ron Brown, of Machias; several nieces and nephews. At the family’s request, there will be no visiting hours. Services will be held at a later date. Those who wish may make contributions in Dale’s memory to Downeast Hospice, 24 Hospital Lane, Calais, ME 04619 or a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Demers-Desmond Funeral Home, 34 Cushing St., Brunswick.
DALE F. CLEMONS
