ELLSWORTH — H. Howard Dunn died unexpectedly at the Maine Coast Memorial Hospital, Jan. 12. He was the oldest of three sons born to Butler and Marion Young Dunn in Ellsworth on March 8, 1932.

He attended Ellsworth High School, where he ran track and cross country. He then graduated from Washington State Teachers’ College (U Maine at Machias), where he also was a member of the varsity basketball team. It was there that he met Freda Dodge, his devoted wife of 61 years. They began their teaching careers together in Castine and shortly thereafter moved to Rumford, where they lived for nearly 35 years.

Howard began as an elementary school teacher at the Kimball School in Rumford Point and later served in a number of administrative roles including principal and eventually superintendent of the Rumford School Department. During their Rumford years, Howard and Freda raised their family and developed many lifelong friendships. Howard enjoyed sports, hunting, fishing, collecting stamps, and could often be found in a greenhouse, garden, or berry patch.

Throughout his life, family was unfailingly his highest priority. His loving commitment was evidenced through the “daily news” emails that he sent each night to his children and grandchildren. He was admired for his kindness, generosity, reliability and sense of humor and was considered a true gentleman of the old school.

Howard is survived by his beloved wife, Freda (Dodge) Dunn; his two brothers, George and Dick and their wives, Donna and Peg; his five children, Darrell and wife, Adrianne, of Mariaville, Gerry and wife, Karen,

of Skowhegan, Teresa and husband, Gary Giroux, of Columbia, Md., Cindy and husband, Carl Bishop, of Standish and Kathy Love of New Market, Md., with whom he created many fond memories, particularly of time spent at the family camps on Beech Hill and Howard Ponds; Howard was the proud grandfather of Tyler, Russell, Greg, Chris, Lauren, Matt, Caitlin, Megan and Emily; and one great-granddaughter, Lily.

He was also loved and admired by his many nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.