BUCKSPORT and OLD TOWN – Ben Dresser, 63, died Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012, at a local hospital. He was born March 27, 1948, in Bangor, the first child of Kenneth and Isabel (Sweet) Dresser.
Ben grew up in Bucksport, attended local schools and graduated from Bucksport High School in 1966. He graduated from the University of Maine, Orono, with a degree in agricultural mechanization in 1971. He worked for the University of Maine in various departments for 38 years, retiring in 2009. Ben loved his family and doing things with them and for them, and traveling to various states to visit them. He lived by a philosophy of “waking up and being good for something.” A lively curiosity kept him pursuing several hobbies and filled his free time fixing and building things, antique cars, collecting coins, and researching local and family history. He had an in-depth knowledge of genealogy, local and U.S. history. In recent years, he and his cousin, Jay enjoyed researching the political figures from Maine who associated with Abraham Lincoln. He also took pleasure in dancing, playing his upright bass, holding his guinea pig and eating out. He had a signature grin and will be remembered for his many personal colloquialisms.
He was predeceased by his parents; and sister, Ellen (Dresser) Holyoke. He is survived by his wife, Karen; daughter, Amy of Los Angeles; son, Parker of Dedham; stepdaughter, Melanie and stepson, Jeremy, from a previous marriage; stepdaughters, Laura Clark and Amy Clark; a special stepmother, Carolyn “Kay” Dresser; and brother, Scott Hoskins and wife, Sandy.
A memorial service will be held 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at Dedham Congregational Church, Route 46, Dedham. After the service, relatives and friends are invited to share conversation and refreshments at the church. Interment at Hillside Cemetery, Bucksport, will be announced in the spring. A service of Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. Condolences to the family may be expressed at
www.BrookingsSmith.com.