Robert L. Dunham

NORTH CANAAN — Robert L. Dunham, 92, of Prospect Street, died peacefully on Nov. 15, 2009.

He was born June 20, 1917,  in Portland, Maine, the son of Christine (Petersen) and Ralph Dunham. He served in the U.S. Army/Air Force, teaching aircraft recognition while being stationed stateside in both Texas and Florida.

He married Glenda Lowell  in 1950 and welcomed her twin daughters into the family. Robert graduated from the University of Maine with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. He started his teaching career on the island of Islesboro, Maine. He then moved his family to New Hampshire and on to Connecticut in 1957. He taught math and science for 26 years at Mount Everett Regional School in Sheffield, Mass., until his retirement in 1983. He also taught flying  and enjoyed piloting his own Cessna and Aerocoupe airplanes. In addition to teaching, he worked as a carpenter, well driller, elevator mechanic, watch dealer and movie projectionist. Robert spent decades at his summer home on Swans Island, Maine. After retirement, he volunteered at Geer Hospital and taught art classes to the elderly in Lakeville. He was an avid reader and enjoyed listening to jazz. Above all he gave unconditional love and support to his family.

He is  survived by his sons, Robert of North Canaan and Philip and his wife, Cathie, of East Canaan; his daughters, Diana Holcomb and her husband, Parks, of Norway, Maine and Deborah Smith of Winsted; his “adoptedâ€� daughter, Antoinette Olints of South Windsor; seven grandchildren;  and eight great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Glenda in 2008; his brothers, William and Edward; and his grandson Dana Dunham. Funeral services were celebrated Nov. 18, at the Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon.

Burial will be in Forest City Cemetery in South Portland, Maine. Memorial donations may be made to the North Canaan Fire Department and North Canaan Ambulance.

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