Delmas Leroy Hodgkins Obituary (1943 - 2022)

DEXTER - Delmas L. Hodgkins, 79, passed away at his home on December 22, 2022 after some months of failing health. He was born at the Scott Webb Hospital in Hartland on March 8, 1943 to Robert E. Hodgkins Sr. and Arline (Willey) Hodgkins. Arline married E. Wesley Ham in 1952 and the Hodgkins/Ham family grew. Del graduated from Maine Central Institute in 1961 and the University of Maine, College of Engineering, Class of 1966. He married Donna Thomas June 13, 1964 and they were married for 58 years. David and Darlene were both born at New Britain General Hospital in 1967 and 1969. Del's first job was at Fafnir Bearing Company in New Britain, CT and then on to Monsanto Company in Deep River, CT. The family enjoyed living in Simsbury and Old Saybrook during those years. Del was the cubmaster of the Old Saybrook Cub Scout Pack 51. He fished on Long Island Sound with his buddy Sherwood Lincoln, an "old salt". The Hodgkins family moved back home to Dexter in the fall of 1979. Del worked as a production engineer at Fayscott. He was there until the plant closed in 2003 and was one of the last workers to leave the plant. During that time he was also the assistant scoutmaster of Troop 51 in Dexter. He was a trailmaster and grant writer for the Wassookeag Snowmobile Club. Del loved his special friends, his fishing and hunting buddies and the fall seasons they spent at hunting camp on Chase Hill. Del's pride and joy was the camp on Ambajejus Lake where friends and family gathered in the summer with the beautiful view of Mt. Katahdin. He was predeceased by his mother Arline (Willey) Ham and his father E. Wesley Ham. He is survived by his wife of 58 years Donna (Thomas) Hodgkins; son David Hodgkins of Hallowell; daughter Darlene and husband Roy Ulrickson III of Newport; grandsons Roy Ulrickson IV and Thomas Ulrickson, Tom's girlfriend Danika Stock, all of Newport; his brothers, Robert Hodgkins Jr of Hartland, Harvey Hodgkins of Kensington, CT and Phillip Ham of Palmyra; his sisters, Betty Lane of Windham, Alice and her husband Leroy Vanadestine of Hartland, Darlene and her husband Wayne Charrier of Troy, and Rochelle and her husband Jay Oelrich of Easthampton, MA; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be at Crosby & Neal, 117 Main Street, Newport on January 3, 2023 from 6-8 P.M. Graveside committal services will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Wassookeag Snowmobile Club, c/o Andy Mitchell, PO Box 121, Dexter, ME 04930.