LINCOLNVILLE — Terry Mitchell Hire, 70, of Lincolnville, died unexpectedly on Friday, January 31, 2020, at Maine Medical Center in Portland from complications of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. 

He was born in Goodlettsville, TN. He received his BFA in Art History and BA in history from the University of Tennessee.  

On June 4, 1982, Terry married Dianne Spicer at Vesper Hill Chapel, in Rockport.

Prior to moving to Maine in 1981, he lived in Nashville, TN; he was an interior designer, working on hospital design, store planning, and private home design. During that time he fell in love with photography and took courses the Maine Photographic Workshop in Rockport. It was then he determined that his life was to be in Maine and moved here in 1981. His long-time interest in photography was put on hold during his work as an interior designer at WBRDC Architecture in Bangor until he opened his own firm, Design Alternatives, in Belfast.

Terry served as a past president of the Maine Interior Design Association and during that time, he enthusiastically participated in petitioning and lobbying the legislature for certification of Designers. He studied in Boston and was awarded as the first Certified Interior Designer in the state of Maine.

Terry designed several prominent shingle-style homes along the coast. His other love was gardening and his garden designs may be seen in Belfast, Lincolnville, and Rockport.

For the last 15 years he has seriously pursued photography; his colorful images are in the hands of many private collectors.

An active member of the Chestnut Street Baptist Church in Camden, Terry has served as a Deacon of Worship where his musical and design abilities will be sorely missed. Terry loved his Lord and felt strongly that his family was his church. 

Predeceased by his parents, Kenneth and Chloe Hire, he is survived by is his wife, Dianne S. Hire of Lincolnville, several cousins, and many close friends. 

There will be a Memorial Service followed by a reception Saturday, February 8,  at 1 p.m., at the Chestnut Street Baptist Church, 29 Chestnut Street, Camden with the Rev. Adam Kohlstrom officiating.

Memorial gifts in Terry’s memory may be made to Wycliffe Bible Translaters, www.wycliffe.org/; the Music Ministry, c/o Chestnut Street Baptist Church; or to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, ipffoundation.org/donate. 

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.longfuneralhomecamden.

Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.