CUSHING —  Dale E. Lindsey, 57, husband of Paula Lindsey, died Sunday, September 27, 2020, at Maine Medical Center in Portland following a brief illness.

Dale Edward Lindsey was born and raised in Rockland, Maine. His parents, Marguerite and Charles brought their children up in the Nazarene Church where Marguerite taught Sunday school. His parents instilled in their
children the meaning and importance of family.

As a boy, Dale loved being on the water, sliding around the clam flats in Rockland harbor and playing in the old lime kilns where his father had worked. He was a multi-sport athlete throughout his time in the Rockland Public Schools, and his love for sports continued into adulthood. He will always be remembered for his love of non-New England sports teams (especially the World Champion Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Cubs). As his children grew, he was sure to include them and his grandchildren in the fan club.

Dale’s passion for sports led to a lifetime of coaching, beginning with his children, and extending into the local community’s many pee-wee football, baseball, basketball, and softball teams. He also played on numerous men’s softball teams, travelling around the state for weekend tournaments, and returning season after season to play in the Rockland Elks Lodge league where he was known to many as Hawk and Skippuh. Those who played with him knew he was in it for the love of the game and the friendships built while playing more so than the championships. However, in the event his team did win, he’d let you know.

Dale held a few job titles before beginning a successful career in the Maine Department of Corrections. He began as a fisherman in Friendship, moved to an early career in law enforcement with the Knox County Sherriff’s department and Rockport PD, and then began working as a C.O. at the Maine State Prison in Warren, from which he retired in June 2019 after 25 years of service. He cared deeply for all those that he worked with and was devoted to his Maine State Prison family, many of whom watched his children grow and would come over for game nights and cookouts.

Dale was an incredible father to five amazing and beautiful children – three sons, Dustin, Dylan, and Taylor and two daughters, Morgan, and Gillian. His children were his world. He loved taking them fishing for mackerel in Rockland Harbor, often tossing them back for the local harbor seals. Dale’s sons fondly remember trips to Uncle Maurice “Popeye” Lindsey’s to deliver the catch of the day for supper; a testament to their Dad’s giving nature. He also loved taking his family around Rockland, telling them stories and sharing favorite memories from his childhood and life growing up by the water.

Dale was also blessed with two grandchildren, Declan and Thomas. He expressed that having grandsons was a new kind of love that he never knew he could feel and that he loved being their “Papa.” He loved giving them big hugs, making Declan laugh, and of course getting him the biggest ice cream, he could find.

Dale’s love and need to tease extended beyond his children to their wives, partners, and friends. His penchant for happy times, teasing, and making others laugh was his life’s mission. He wanted everyone to be as joyful as he was. One thing he instilled in his children was that you should never go to bed angry, because you never know what will happen next. A kiss goodnight, and an “I love you” mattered more than anything.

He had a true passion for music. He frequently attended concerts, volunteered at the Rockland Blues Festival and Lobster Festival as backstage staff, and was a part time DJ at the Samoset for a time. This love of music was shared with his children, whether it be enjoying Dale’s favorite 70s and 80s music in the car, watching music videos or acting out rock performances, though his children all agree that nobody will ever be as great at air drumming as Dad.

Lastly, his love and need for pets in his life extended to a variety of animals. He never felt whole unless there were animals to play and spend time with. Since retiring, his new favorite hot spot (besides Dunkin Donuts) was the Thomaston Dog Park. Watching dogs play and making the other dog owners chuckle made his day complete.

Dale’s wife has expressed what a light he has been in her life. She considers herself the luckiest woman on Earth to have had him in her life and to have been loved by such a wonderful man. “I love you always Dale Lindsey.”

Dale is survived by his beloved wife, Paula Lindsey of Cushing; his sons, Dustin E. Lindsey and his wife Kristen of Hanover, Massachusetts, Dylan T. Lindsey of Cushing, Taylor E. Lindsey and his partner Daniel Pollak of Weymouth, Massachusetts; his daughters, Morgan D. Lindsey and Gillian P. Lindsey both of Cushing; his brother, Kenneth Lindsey and his wife Stephany of Rockland; his sisters, Margaret M. Hall of Lincolnville, Jeanette Alley and her husband Keith of Rockland; his grandchildren, Declan Lindsey and Thomas Lindsey; a brother-in-law, Andrew Pomeroy and his wife Catherine; his father and mother-in-law, Brian and Dianne Hathorn; many nieces and nephews; as well as his Maine State Prison Family and Softball Brothers.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend walk-through visiting hours, Monday, October 5, 2020,from 4 to 7 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. Face Masks and Social Distancing are suggested, and guests are asked to exit after paying their respects.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, October 6, at 1 p.m., at the Achorn Cemetery, Old County Road, Rockland. Guests are encouraged to follow Social Distancing standards and bring their own portable seating.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Thomaston Dog Park in his name. Donations can be made online at www.thomastondogpark.org/ or by check, written to Thomaston Dog Park Association and mailed to Thomaston Dog Park PO Box 342, Thomaston, Maine 04861.

To share a memory or condolence with the Lindsey family, please visit his Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.