1934 – 2016

BUCKSPORT — After living with dementia for several years, David W. Field, 82, died at the Thistle Hill Boarding Home in Bucksport on Sunday, Oct. 23.

He was born May 10, 1934, in Paris, the son of Gordon S. and Ruth (Winslow) Field. After early years in South Paris, the family moved to a farm in Buckfield. David graduated from Buckfield High School in 1953. His education continued for a year at the Boston Conservatory of Music, after which he served four years as a recreation and entertainment specialist in the U.S. Air Force, serving during the Korean Conflict.

Following military service, David graduated from the Boston Conservatory of Music in 1964 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and in 1972 obtained a Master of Arts degree in theater from West Virginia University. In addition to taking various college courses and holding a variety of interesting positions, David worked in the family business, The Buckfield Red Barn.

His rich background and experience resulted in the establishment of his own business restoring antique houses. This was further development of an interest he had had in younger life which continued as he did extensive work on 20 buildings. Even while his illness was coming on, he was still looking for one more house to restore. He and his friend, Peter, proudly helped renovate the building that became the Stockton Springs Library.

His 40 years of sobriety was a very important milestone in his life. David loved animals, loved music, loved to play his baby grand piano, and had a great sense of humor. In his younger years, he was a very fine vocal soloist. One of his early boyhood interests was the historic “Gingerbread House” in Norway. As his health was declining, he made a very arduous trip from Stockton Springs to observe the moving of that building to its new location.

David was blessed with many cousins and friends who share in the sadness of his passing and will continue to miss his presence. He was predeceased by his parents, Gordon and Ruth Field; uncles and aunts; and many cousins and friends.

We would like to give a big thank-you to Jon, Bud, John and all those who called, visited, wrote letters, and cared. We would especially like to thank Iris, Mike and all of the staff at Thistle Hill who very ably and lovingly cared for David and his dog, Happy Feet, right to the very end.

Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.