Dale F. Carsley

NEWPORT – Dale F. Carsley, 93, of Newport, passed away peacefully, June 23, 2025, with his family at his side. Dale was born Nov. 27, 1931, the son of the late Fred R. and Mary (Bowen) Carsley. Dale was a lifelong resident of Newport. He graduated from Newport High School, Class of 1950.

Instilled with a strong work ethic and obtained his first job while still in school, setting pins at the Newport Bowling Alley on Water Street with his lifelong friend Gene Braley. Many such endeavors were to follow, Meat Cutter at A & P Grocery Stores across Maine, Rail Maintenance crew for Central Maine Railroad, Maine D.O.T., 1962-1963, I-95 construction crew member for the Newport to Bangor corridor. Dale embarked on his first business venture in the early 1960’s under the name of Dale F Carsley, Builder. He remained a sought-after contractor, as Dale put it, “Pounding Nails” for over 30 years. From 1962-1968 he was a member of the Maine Millwrights Union Local 1121 as well as a veteran of the Maine National Guard in Newport, Maine.

In 1968 he started Cove-Side Snowmobile on Barrows Point Road in Newport selling FoxTrac Snowmobiles, Go-Karts, and Mini-Bikes. The business grew to include Sno-Jet, Skiroule, Kawasaki, and Ski-doo snowmobiles.

In 1985 Cove-Side Snowmobile became Cove-Side Wheel & Ski, Inc., with the addition of Polaris Snowmobiles and ATVs. Later additions included Honda Off-road as well as CFMoto Off-Road and Motorcycles and relocation to Cove-Side’s current location today.

He retired from day-to-day operations at Cove-Side in 1999. However, he remained a constant presence and influence until his passing.

Following his retirement, his time was filled with going to dances any chance he could, collecting Lionel trains, restoring vintage snowmobiles and enjoying his collection of Buicks starting in 1954. Dale’s greatest joy in life came from spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He enjoyed caring for his home and property on Sebasticook Lake where he resided since 1961 in the home he built from the ground up.

Dale was known as Conductor Carsley at the Newport Cultural Center by local school children that enjoyed his model train display during the holiday seasons. We would like to mention many thanks to the Staff and Volunteers at the Newport Cultural Center for their friendship and support. A special thanks to Larry Gray of Newport. His assistance was instrumental in Dale’s Holiday Model Train display each and every year.

He is survived by his three sons and their wives, Shawn and Gina, Kerry and Angela, Jay and Tatiana, all of Newport; grandsons, Dale R. Carsley and wife Danielle of Newport, Michael Bjork and wife Arianna of Pittsfield, Aleksander and Zarek Carsley of Newport, Jesse Ashmore of Sullivan and Dylan Ashmore of Pennsylvania and was grateful to be able to enjoy his two great grandchildren, Briella Carsley and Hugo Bjork.

Dale was predeceased by his sister, Dorcas Carsley Rogers of Carmel, Maine.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, July 13 from noon to 3 p.m. at Cove-Side Wheel & Ski, 560 Moosehead Trail in Newport.

In lieu of flowers,

please donate in his memory to the following Animal Rescue Shelters:

Spirits Place

74 Nokomis Rd.

St. Albans, ME 04971 or

Safe Harbor Sanctuary

321 Purple Heart Hwy

Brooks, ME 04921 or

Peace Ridge Sanctuary

1111 Littlefield Rd.

Brooks, ME 04921

Donation receptacles will also be available at the Celebration of Life