SWANVILLE — Dennis Irving Sholes, 71, moved onto his next adventure January 3, 2023, where he’s having a “smoke,” listening to the birds, watching the clouds and embracing the warm sun. Surrounded by family, at home, he kept his quick wit and wry sense of humor until the end. Always the ladies’ man, he was flirting with his hospice nurses just hours before he left us. He was born December 27, 1951, in Camden, Maine.

Dennis was a graduate of Belfast Area High School class of 1970, and member of the swim team. He enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam war and was trained as a Medical Equipment Technician, serving from July 6, 1970 to his honorable discharge on May 31, 1976. He then made his way back to Maine where he and (ex)wife, Janet (Sullivan) Haber, built their own log cabin in Swanville and started their family.

Dennis utilized his Army training and was employed as an office systems technician. He traveled the state and was friends with every office team from Calais to Fryeburg. He held several other positions ranging from prison guard to Swanville Town Selectman, Licensed Water Tester, and Wood Scaler.

With an above average IQ, Dennis could do anything he set his mind to. For a challenge, he’d find something he couldn't do, read a book or two, then do it. He was selfless with his time and knowledge, always helping those in need. On more than one occasion he made his daughter promise she’d never tell anyone about his acts of kindness: filling a friend, neighbor, or stranger’s oil tank, dropping Christmas gifts off on doorsteps to families of children in need or sending donations to food pantries all over the State of Maine. Helping those in need wasn’t about getting credit for it. It was just the right thing to do. 

He passed on his love for guitar, archery, fly fishing, ice fishing, woodstove (“Bertha”) cooking and food, gardening, “tinkering”, tractors, pets, log homes, woodworking, westerns, and the outdoors.

Dennis "Denny, Den-Den, Grizzly, Grennis, Grampa Sholes" is the son of Norman and Barbara (Marden), and predeceased by brother David, nephew Christopher and several furry, four-legged loved ones. Most near and dear were cats Bed Bug, Prick, No Neck and Big Bag and dogs Izabelle, Elliot and Bentley.

He is survived by his son Daniel and wife Kimberly (Merrifield) and their children Ensley and Isla; his son Seth and wife Sarah (Hans) and their children Adrien, Lily and Eli; his daughter Bethany and husband Josh Pooler; sister Elaine and husband Eldon Lenfest and their children Shawn, Karen and Jared. his cats Emma, “Pete and Repeat” and dog Molly miss him terribly.

A celebration of life for Denny will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to local charity, give your neighbor a hand, or just take time to be a listening ear.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com