ROCKPORT – Howard T. Dearborn, 83, died Saturday, Nov. 6, 2004, at Penobscot Bay Medical Center after a brief period of declining health. Born Aug. 29, 1921, in Camden, he was the son of Stanton E. and J. Edna Poland Dearborn. Educated in local schools, he was a 1940 graduate of Camden High School and in 1941 graduated from Kent’s Hill School. He later worked at the South Portland and Camden Shipyards. In 1942, he entered the U.S. Navy, serving until 1945. In 1946, Howard purchased Oakland Park in Rockport and held dances at Oakland Park Pavilion until 1952. During that same period he built cottages on site and after 1952 converted the pavilion to a motel. Until the time of his death he operated what became Oakland Seashore Motel & Cabins. An entrepreneur at heart, in the late 1950’s, Howard built Oakland Park Lanes on Route One in Rockport. He also continued in the expansion and operation of that business until the time of his death. He enjoyed many friendships made over the years with members of the local community and in the operation of his two businesses. In earlier years, he served two terms as a selectman with the Town of Rockport and was a past member of the Knox County Budget Committee. Over the years Howard kept many pets. He loved dogs but was particularly fond of his last dog, Freddy. He often visited his camp in Montville where he enjoyed deer hunting and relaxing with close friends and family members. He was also a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Camden. Howard was predeceased by his son, Bruce T. Dearborn in 2002; a brother, Edward S. Dearborn in 2000; and a sister, Hazel Marston in 1991. He is survived by one daughter, Cheryl Ashon-Cudjiw and her husband, Emmanuel, of Rockland and Ghana; four grandchildren, Alea Birbeck of Somerville, Mass., and Eldon, Korali, and Elliot Bennett of Rockland; a sister, Frances D. Lippincott of Wichita, Kan.; a brother-in-law, Ralph Marston of Camden; seven nieces and four nephews; and several cousins. Visiting hours will be held 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland. A Eucharistic Celebration will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Chestnut Street, Camden. Interment will follow in Seaview Cemetery, Rockport. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Knox County, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841.
HOWARD DEARBORN
