Howard Dunham (1929-2015)

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EBENSBURG, Penn. – On Friday, March 27 at 10:15 p.m. the world lost one of the dearest and kindest men when Howard Dunham, who suffered a stroke in 2013, went to sleep. Howard had been a resident of the Cambria Care Nursing Facility for 13 months.

Howard Dunham
Howard Dunham

Howard Dunham was born in Kingfield on Nov. 29, 1929, the son of the late Bernard Dunham and Ethelyn Simmons Dunham. Howard served in the United States Army for two years in Ft. Eustis Virginia and Goose Bay Labrador and Newfoundland.

It was during this time in Ft. Eustis Va. that Howard was asked to appear driving a truck in the movie Red Ball Express with Jeff Chandler and Sidney Poitier.

In 1954, Howard married the former Laura Hall at the home of Rev. Arthur Woodcock in Kingfield. Howard drove truck for Starbird Lumber Company of Strong and Thompson Equipment in Kingfield, Forster Manufacturing Company and for the late Stanton Beane driving a bulldozer.

In 1956, Howard and Laura moved to Spencer, Mass., where Howard worked on a farm for a short time and then landed a tractor trailer job for Webster Spring Company moving bedsprings all though the northeast and south for eight years. Moving to Newport in 1963, Howard drove for Dairy Transport hauling milk in a tanker from Island Falls. In the 1970s Howard drove for Watkins Freight Line Company and then owned his own tractor trailer and drove for Quinn Freight Lines. Howard also worked for several years for his dear friend Richard Chandler who previously owned CAT Lumber Company. Over the years Howard was credited with driving more than 3 million miles without a chargeable accident.

In 1969, at a request from Sugarloaf USA ( Hazen McMullen operational manager), Howard went to the resort and bulldozed the head wall for the famous Narrow Gauge Trail while working for Sugarloaf. In 1982, Howard started his career with International Paper Company moving their heavy equipment from Stratton to New York and points south retiring in 1994 after 14 years of service without an accident. Howard continued to work summer’s for the Stratton Energy Bio-Mass plant bulldozing their chip pile.

During the next 13 years Howard and Laura sold their property at Sugarloaf and lived on the road in their 38-foot motor home traveling throughout the eastern and mid-west part of the states taking in many sites from Dollywood, Tenn., to Helen Georgia (little Germany), spending their winters with many friends in Zephyrhills, Florida, and then their summers in Maine. The couple traveled also to San Francisco, Calif., Mountain Home Idaho and two trips to Germany, Switzerland and other parts of Europe.

Howard and Laura enjoyed more than 30 years with the Maine Good Sam Club traveling from Maine to Ohio and to Canada with their club called The Four Winds. Howard was always the lead vehicle and got everyone safely to their destination sometimes with 15 motorhomes behind him. He would always let a tractor-trailer pass his line of traffic.

In 2001 Howard and Laura decided to do something different in their lives and went to Meredith, N.H., where they worked at the Jellystone RV Park where Howard worked as security guard and Laura as the American mom for 35 European working students.

Howard received many awards though out his trucking career and also for 60 years with the Norton Wuori American Legion Post and the Loretto American Legion Post in Pennsylvania, the Kingfield Senior Citizens , the Loretto Senior Citizens , the Kingfield United Methodist Church and for being married for (on Feb. 12 for 60 years) to the same woman twice .

Howard is survived by his wife Laura Hall Dunham of Ebensburg, Penn.; his children Debra Jordan of Carrabassett Valley and Kim Biter and husband Frank of Ebensburg, Penn.; his grandchildren: Jennifer Jordan White, Jessica Jordan Coats, Justin Jordan, (his only grand son and his ambitious hero), Christi Nile and Samantha Nile; great grandchildren: Tanner Jordan White, Avery Jordan White, Kiley Coolidge and Connor Monroe, his pride and joy his new identical great granddaughters Bailey and Rhyan Oberther; brothers: Wendell Dunham, Rick Dunham, Randy Dunham, Pam Dunham and fiancee Frank Pulver, Bernardette King and husband Kenny all of Bangor; his sister-in-law Marilyn Clark of New Hampton, N.H.; his beloved nieces Janny Watson and Lynnie Bates of New Hampshire and his beloved nephew Rod Dunham of Kingfield.

Howard also leaves behind many beloved friends who faithfully called or sent him cards every week including Dick and Lorraine Chandler, Pete and Lorraine Ristano, Pat and Curt Johnson, Rev. Charles Brown, Peter and Sharon Farnsworth and many more thank yous for caring.

A celebration of Howard’s life will be held this summer in Maine with the time and place to be announced. Tributes and memories may be shared on his memorial wall at wilesrc.com. Cremation and memorial services are being cared for and provided by the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington.

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13 Comments

  1. Many of course will also remember Laura Dunham, Howard’s wife, who was a long time newspaper
    correspondent reporting for the Sentinel and later also for other papers.

  2. A wonderful man with the biggest, warmest heart! Howie will be greatly missed. Our love and condolences go out to the entire family. Mark and Sheri Lopez

  3. LAURA AND FAMILY,,,,, SO VERY SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF HOWARD. MAY THE TRACTOR TRAILERS IN THE WIDE OPEN SKYES KEEP ON TRUCKING WITH HOWARD IN THE LEAD . RIP MY DEAR FRIEND……

  4. Laura and Family – So sorry for your loss. Loved Howard dearly and may he rest in peace. We had some real good times when we worked for I.P. I felt very fortunate to have known him and Laura. Rest in Peace Howard.

  5. I enjoy many memories involving Howard when he drove for IP- He was a fun loving and great friend- Our thoughts and prayers are with the family

  6. Howard was also one of the original Bigelow Boys who skied Bigelow with Amos Winter, Dick French and Odie Thompson I loved listening to the stories Howard told of those early days on the mountain. We’re going to miss this guy RIP Howard

  7. Howard was a great guy and I really enjoyed time spent with him. My thoughts are with Laura and family as they move through the loss of Howard

  8. Dearest Laura and family – Our hearts go out to you all . Howard was such a wonderful, and caring person..We have
    some great memories and he will be sadly missed..Love you all…

  9. Dear Laura and Family, We are saddened to learn of Howard’s passing but know his wishes were to be at rest. Memories for us start back in our Kingfield High School years and go all the way forward to fun reunions in Florida – a long run! We will miss him. Love, Bob & Ginny

  10. Laura & Extended families Sorry for your loss. RIP Howard Love Kathy & Reggie

  11. Laura, Kim and Debbie & family,
    My thoughts are with you all. Howard was such a big part of my growing up. He always welcomed me in your house with a smile and would tease me whenever he saw me. I loved that man!! I’m sure he is looking down and smiling at us all and is happy to be at rest. Lots of love to you all. Susan

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