Obituary of Dale W. Sweet

Dale W. Sweet, 63, of Benton, passed away early Friday morning at Togus Veteran's Hospital in Augusta from injuries he sustained in an automobile accident on September 30. Dale is pre-deceased by his parents Phillip and Martha Sweet and a brother Harvey. Dale was born on April 19, 1947 in Waterville and grew up in Fairfield. He was a 1965 graduate of Lawrence High School. After graduation, Dale enlisted in the United States Navy and served four years as a radioman aboard a naval destroyer. Sweet spent most of his professional life in sales and public service. After a brief career as a police officer in Fairfield and on Vinalhaven Island, Dale worked his way up from driving oil delivery trucks for Bill's Oil in Winslow to a leading Sales Manager position with R.H. Foster out of Bangor. He then returned to Bill's Oil as General Manager. After leaving the oil industry, Dale became the first full time Fire Chief of Fairfield. In this position, he was respected by his peers and often was called upon to facilitate various fire and rescue courses for prospective EMTs and other students interested in the fire and rescue field. Dale later took a position as the Director of Somerset Dispatch before he retired and continued to work as a volunteer driver for KVCAP. Sweet was also an active member of the Siloam Masonic Lodge #92 in Fairfield. He was promoted through the Masonic ranks and served two consecutive terms as Master Mason. As a parent, Dale actively supported his children's activities as they grew up. He coached his son's PAL baseball team and never missed any of his daughter's dance recitals. Every summer the family would take vacations and go camping in the York Beach area. We would also take numerous weekend camping trips to local campgrounds, including Dale's favorite, Abnaki campground in East Madison where the family made many friends and memories. In addition to camping, he enjoyed spending time on his boat, water skiing, movies, music and travelling to Rhode Island to spend time with friends. Dale is survived by two children, Chris Sweet of Searsmont and Erica Young and her husband, Gene of Hinkley. He has four loving grandchildren. Chris' daugters Baylie and Alexia and Erica's sons Noah and Gabriel. He has two sisters, Sandra Hunter of Chatsworth, GA, Wendy Works and her husband Gary of Waterville and one brother, Wendell and his wife Lynn of Clinton. He is also survived by Uncle Ken and Aunt Barbara Judkins of Winslow, Uncle Dana Judkins of Kittery, Aunt Ruth Lessard of Waterville, Uncle George and Aunt Rose McKenney of Chatsworth, GA and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Spring interment will be at Maine Veterans Cemetery in Augusta. Arrangements under the care of Direct Cremation of Maine, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast.